Marin Looks To Turn Local Wool Into Bigger Economic Opportunity

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Marin County officials are looking for ways to increase the economic value of locally produced wool after the county highlighted the sheep industry in an annual report Aug. 25.

Marin produced 24,700 pounds of wool worth $29,000 in 2025, according to the Crop and Livestock Report. Officials said more of that value could stay in the county if local processing and manufacturing were expanded.

Most Marin wool is currently processed outside the county and California, according to the Agricultural Commissioner’s office.

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“A goal with this year’s report is to lift up and advance knowledge of Marin’s wool production, products, and wool alternatives to plastics/synthetic products,” said dJoe Deviney, Marin County Agricultural Commissioner.

County officials said the wool could be used for clothing, yarn, bedding, insulation and other products, and also pointed to the sheep’s role in grazing and wildfire fuel reduction.

Marin had 10,300 sheep and lambs in 2025, valued at $2.575 million, officials said.

Overall, the county’s agricultural production increased 12 percent in a year, from $83.817 million in 2024 to $94.134 million in 2025.

Cattle and calves led the county’s agricultural commodities at $23 million, followed by poultry at $22.364 million and aquaculture, the controlled farming of aquatic organisms like fish, at $8.5 million.

Organic milk was valued at $21.452 million, while conventional milk was valued at $1.525 million.

The Marin County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, based in Novato, submits the annual report to the California Department of Food and Agriculture for inclusion in statewide agricultural data.