British Royals Promote Eco-Farming

"We love Their Royal Highness Prince Charles and Camilla," read the sign displayed together with the British flag. The warm and welcoming crowds waited patiently along the main road in the small town of Point Reyes, California, last Saturday.

Sounds of cheering and clapping from everyone suddenly broke out as two local sheriffs' cars approached followed by a shiny black limousine and an SUV. Elegantly stepping out, the Royal Couple smiled and waved calmly.

The Prince of Wales looked fresh and dapper in a grey double breasted suit which sported a small red posy on the lapel, a British symbol of respect worn each November for fallen war soldiers. He was followed by the Duchess who was dressed in a well fitted dark blue pant-suit.

His Royal Highness Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall began their four-day Bay Area visit at Point Reyes Farmer's Market in Marin County, which is located just north of San Francisco. The tour's theme was sustainable organic farming.

For decades, the Prince of Wales has shown a strong personal interest in organics and environmental issues. Marin is a model for sustainable agriculture, and one of the first counties in America to ban genetically engineered foods. It is home to internationally acclaimed pioneers in organic foods and farming.

Prince Charles, an innovator himself, started his own organic food company, Duchy Originals, in 1992. Twenty years ago, when he announced that he was going to begin farming organically on his estate at Highgrove, no one knew what he was talking about and assumed it was just a crackpot idea.

Duchy Originals has become one of the United Kingdom's best-known and successful organic and natural foods brands, with over 140 different products. It "…now turns over $71 million a year. And I'm able to give away over a million pounds each year to my charitable ventures," Prince Charles said recently while being interviewed by CBS/60 Minutes.

Many beautifully displayed fruits, flowers and vegetables within the market encouraged the Royal couple to stroll. They were guided by Helge Hellberg, leader of the Marin Organic movement.

At the Paradise Valley Organic stand, Camilla chose a small red heirloom lady apple to taste. As everyone's eyes were on her, the moment of scrutiny was broken when the rural town's clock made funny, loud crowing and mooing sounds, surprising everyone and bringing smiles from the Royalty.

Camilla tasted the plain, vanilla, and maple flavored Strauss yogurts saying they were all very delicious. Gary Diedrichs of Strauss Family Creamery said, "I think it's great to have somebody of world class influence to promote organics and the environment. I was a bit surprised and delighted that they took so much time going to every vendor, shaking everyone's hand, saying nice things, and asking straight questions. They were very engaging. It was a nice experience."

Peggy Smith of Cowgirl Creamery found the Prince of Wales very inspirational with his support of anti-globalization, and support for the practices of buying locally and sustainable agriculture. She said, "He is a world figure head and it's fabulous that they came to visit Point Reyes which is in the forefront of the current organic movement. We talked about EU (European Union) and U.S. regulations on organic dairy farming, while they enjoyed tasting our Mt. Tam cheese."

Progressing to the McEvoy Ranch stand, the Prince and Duchess sampled some breads and olives, complimenting the growers and guaranteeing to take home one of the innovatively shaped bottles of olive oil. "They were just very, very, gracious and really interested and complimentary, thanking us for being here for them today," added Eleana of Wild Blue Farms.

Ending the Farmer's Market tour, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall were presented with gifts of colorful baskets containing fresh flowers and garden produce. Her Highness replied, "I hope I can preserve it until we get back to England! Thank you very much."

Their next point of interest was to have lunch nearby in Bolinas at Warren Weber's Star Route Farm, the oldest continuously certified organic farm in California. In Weber's 100-year-old, two-story wood house, the Royal couple chatted with many farmers. The lunch in the sun-filled living room included cold tomato soup and locally raised oysters.

"Charles is one of the pioneers of the organic revolution in Britain," said Catherine Witty, a Royal reporter for Sky News London." The Prince and the Duchess are very happy to come to California which is a home of all that."