marin agricultural

LAND TRUST NEWS

P R E S E R V I N G M A R I N C O U N T Y F A R M L A N D
Spring 2006 Vo l u m e 2 2 N u m b e r 1

Tradition & Innovation Bring

Prince of Wales to West Marin
The much-heralded visit of the Prince of Wales to
West Marin last fall brought this area’s organic and sustainably
farmed agricultural operations to international prominence.
To most observers, it was a surprising field trip for the heir to
the British throne, though properties in his own Duchy of
Cornwall have been farmed organically for more than 20
years. He also is a dedicated spokesperson for other sustain-
able agricultural practices. Still, one might ask, why Marin?
Organic agriculture is the fastest growing segment of the
farm economy in the United States, and Marin County has
been at the forefront of the movement since at least 1974

when Warren Weber’s Star Route Farms in Bolinas became
the first certified organic farm in California. In 1994, the
Straus Family Creamery was certified as the first organic
dairy west of the Mississippi. In 1999, a group of producers
and organic advocates formed Marin Organic to foster envi-
ronmentally sound agriculture and support local food pro-
duction. And in 2000, Agriculture Commissioner Stacy
Carlsen established the first local government organic certi-
fication agency in the United States right here in Marin.
“The visit of the Royal Highness and his wife was such
an amazing honor and confirmation that our work here is of
critical importance far beyond our county line,” said Helge
Robert Horan
MALT’s Bob Berner, left, chatted with Prince Charles at the
Point Reyes Farmers’ Market during his visit last November
Hellberg, Executive Director of Marin Organic, which coor-
dinated the event in Marin.
However, traditional livestock agriculture is still the main-
stay in Marin County, contributing $45 million to the econo-
my. These beef, sheep, and dairy businesses form the backbone
of farm operations on most malt-protected properties. But a
century and a half of good farming practices and responsible
C O N T I N U E D PAG E F O U R

Maintaining the Public Trust

In Voluntary Conservation Efforts
Marin Agricultural Land Trust’s efforts to permanently preserve farmland
in West Marin are mirrored across the country by the more than 1,500 local and
regional land trusts also working to protect natural and agricultural resources in their
own backyards. At a national level, most of these organizations are affiliated with the
nonprofit Land Trust Alliance (LTA), which supports the effectiveness of the nation’s
land trusts and their use of conservation easements by helping expand the knowledge
and expertise of the local groups. Currently, LTA is spearheading two innovative
programs: Land Trust Accreditation and Land Trust Standards and Practices.
In a time of increased congressional scrutiny of nonprofits and land conservation
transactions, the accreditation program is intended to maintain the public trust in
voluntary land conservation and help build strong and lasting organizations through
a detailed, independent, professional, and peer examination of policies and programs.
The accreditation will be managed by a commission of land trust professionals
incorporated as a subsidiary of LTA with independent decision-making authority.
The first commissioners will be appointed in February, 2006. The commission
C O N T I N U E D PAG E S E V E N
Ranches & Rolling Hills
Landscape Art Show Set for May 20 & 21
Since the mid-19th century, landscape painters have
been portraying the luminous beauty of the western landscape.
Prominent painters who visited California during that era of
exploration included Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt,
Thomas Hill, William Keith, and Virgil Williams.
In her introduction to the exhibit “Painters and the
American West,” Sarah Anschutz Hunt writes that some
artists were even hired by the Santa Fe Railroad, “…receiving
train tickets, meals, and lodging in exchange for a specified
number of paintings inspired by the artist’s journey through
the West.” In all cases, those early illustrations helped shape
the experience for pioneers, gold miners, government explo-
rations, and tourists who—lured in part by these works—
later “tamed” and modified the virgin landscape that had
first appealed to them.
While ranching and farming also represent a modification
of the landscape, today we value Marin County’s remaining
agricultural lands for local food production, open space, and
wildlife habitat. Since ranchers first settled in Marin around
1850, the area has had a land-based economy. Though much
of the county has been urbanized, the tradition of family
“Cypress Heaven” by Zee Zee Mott
2 M A R I N A G R I C U L T
farming still has a strong hold in West Marin. But that tradi-
tion is in danger of being lost to non-agricultural uses.
Aware that art can articulate environmental issues, a
group of talented artists has been painting the farmlands
and open spaces of West Marin since 1998 for display in
Ranches & Rolling Hills, an art show and sale that benefits
malt’s farmland preservation program. This year’s event is
set for Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21, at the
Druid’s Hall in Nicasio.
These painters, printmakers, and photographers are com-
mitted to capturing the working landscapes and views that
might be threatened by development. Since they also
believe that art can act as an agent of change and because
they are dedicated to helping preserve the land that inspires
their art, they contribute 50% of the income from sales to
malt. So far, this artistic survey of the contemporary rural
landscape has raised more than half a million dollars. The
funds have been used for the purchase of agricultural conser-
vation easements on Marin farms, permanently protecting
them from non-agricultural development.
Over the years, the show’s reputation in the artistic com-
munity has grown, and competi-
tion to be part of the event is sig-
nificant. Some 40 artists will par-
ticipate this year, about half of
them from Marin and half repre-
senting Santa Barbara’s Oak Group,
founded by renowned California
landscape painter Ray Strong.
Michael Whitt of Point Reyes
Station is the curator of Ranches &
Rolling Hills which is coordinated
by malt’s Elisabeth Ptak with
assistance from Cindy Jordan.
To ensure a place at the preview
sale and luncheon, watch your
mailbox for the announcement
which will be mailed in March.
Following the preview, the show is
open to the public at no charge
from 2–5 p.m. on Saturday,
May 20, and from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
on Sunday, May 21.
—Elisabeth Ptak
U R A L L A N D T R U S T
Hungry Herbivores
Encourage Coastal Wildflowers
Over on the other side of the fence, not only is the
grass greener, but thousands of wildflowers display a spectac-
ular spring bloom. What’s that other guy got that you lack?
It may be a few cows.
When you see cattle or other hungry herbivores standing
in the grass, they aren’t just posing for photographs, they are
usually eating. And when they eat, they eat a lot: full-grown
sheep and cattle typically consume their weight in forage in
only a month—that’s 200 pounds for a sheep and 1,000
pounds for most cows. All this chowing down has a signifi-
cant impact on the ecology of the grassland.
First, consider what happens when any animal eats. No
matter what you choose to call it, animal waste, full of con-
centrated nitrogen and other plant nutrients, is redistributed
to the soil as the animals move about, contributing chemical
variation to the environment. Wildflowers often need more
nitrogen than grasses (just like the flowers in your garden),
so they thrive when herbivores form a major part of the
nitrogen cycle.
However, no matter how good the soil, growing plants in
the dark is next to impossible; sun and shade are very impor-
tant factors in shaping their success. When annual grasslands
don’t support significant populations of herbivores or have
intermittent fires, unchecked growth can result in the accu-
mulation of thatch, the blanket of dead stalks and plant
remains from previous years’ growth that shades seeds and
young plants.
Since many wildflowers require strong early season sun-
light to activate growth, this “thatch roof” drastically affects
the vegetative composition of the grassland. Many scientific
studies, including classic comparisons conducted on the
Jepson Prairie Preserve in the Sacramento Valley, have doc-
umented that when regular grazing is stopped on California
annual grasslands, areas once known for their impressive
wildflower displays exhibit a marked decline in diversity
within a few short years.
Grazers, do, of course, have impacts on the land apart
from the removal of grasses. However, one common con-
cern, that freely grazing livestock will eat all those beautiful
wildflowers, is simply a misconception. Not only are cattle
known to prefer grasses to most flower species, but many of
the wildflowers most famous for their stunning displays also
manufacture chemical defenses that make their foliage and
flowers distasteful to browsing animals. For example, the
M A R I N A G R I C U L T U
Richard Blair
Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana), common on the rolling hills
across West Marin, is partially protected from herbivory by
its mild poisons. California golden poppies (Eschscholzia cali-
fornica), visible as vast blankets of gold on the hillsides of
many ranches, also have a mild toxin in their foliage.
Other common species that you are likely to find in
grasslands and throughout Marin county are blue-eyed grass
(Sisyrinchium bellum), baby blue eyes (Nemophila menziesii
var. menziesii), and California buttercups (Ranunculus califor-
nicus). Common shrubs, blooming a bit later and closer to
eye level, include the buttery yellow bush lupine (Lupinus
arboreus) and my personal favorite, the bright orange sticky
monkey flower (Mimulus aurantiacus). There are many more
wildflowers to find right in our backyards, from the familiar
favorites to ephemeral and rare species.
If you’d like to explore local wildflowers further, a partic-
ularly good environment for seasonal viewing is the coastal
scrub, a characteristic vegetative community which can be
found on many of the ranches bordering Tomales Bay, and is
accessible to the public at Point Reyes National Seashore.
The Abbotts Lagoon and Chimney Rock trails are perennial
favorites, or, sign up for malt’s Hikes & Tours on the Cerini
Ranch or the Gale Ranch to see Marin County wildflowers
at their best (see pages 5 & 6 for details).
And as you stop to smell the flowers this spring, remem-
ber that hungry herbivores play an important role in this—
and every year’s—impressive displays.
—Stella Cousins
For the past six months, Stella Cousins has worked as MALT’s season-
al Stewardship Assistant, monitoring conservation easements and
deepening her experience with agriculture and conservation in the
grazed landscapes of California. Stella has moved on to other green
pastures, but we thank her for her time and hard work here in Marin.
R A L L A N D T R U S T 3
 Volunteer Training Kicks Off
Year of Activity for MALT Supporters
On February 11 and March 4, both new and experi-
enced malt volunteers will join together to expand their know-
ledge of local farm history. They’ll learn about the challenges and
opportunities facing Marin’s farmers and ranchers, and they’ll
increase their understanding of malt’s programs. These train-
ings kick off the malt Volunteer Program year and launch the
buzz of activity that will take place for the next 12 months.
Malt is fortunate to have a cadre of dedicated volunteers
supporting the preservation of Marin’s family farms. Our
extended family of helpers—more than 50 people—is five times
Elisabeth Ptak
the size of the malt staff. Last year, this unpaid workforce gave
the equivalent of $65,000 worth of time to the organization!
This amazing contribution represents the monetary value
provided by these dedicated men and women who lead Hikes
& Tours, help in the office, and staff special events.
Just as important is the role these volunteers play as ambas-
sadors to the community. Armed with enthusiasm, knowledge
of local farms, and a desire to make a difference, they spread the
word about the threats to Marin agriculture and how every-
one can help preserve these important resources. Volunteers
talk about the issues with friends, co-workers, neighbors, and
family members. In addition, they give gifts of malt t-shirts
and memberships, and contribute generously to the Ellen
Straus Farmland Preservation Fund. “I like being involved in
something I believe in,” says Kathy Callaway of Woodacre.
Volunteering is a great way to get to know malt better. “We
have learned what a precious resource West Marin really is
and how precarious its future once was. It’s been especially
great getting to know, at least a little, some of the people who
dedicate themselves to Marin’s agricultural life,” say Gary and
Peggy Diedrichs of Sausalito.
Current volunteers hail from Marin, Oakland, San
Francisco, Sonoma, and Berkeley. They’re people who recog-

nize that Marin’s agriculture heritage and economy provide

Some 30 volunteers met in November at the Fairfax home of Kathy and
Sean Callaway. The group celebrated its commitment to preserving
Marin’s family farms by volunteering for MALT
value for the entire Bay Area. If you’re interested in becom-
ing part of this trained and highly effective corps, contact
Leah Smith, Education Program Associate, at 415-663-1338
or lsmith@malt.org.
—Leah Smith

grazing have created pastures with great biological diversity, allowing them to be natural
PRINCE OF WALES neighbors for organic operations. And, in some cases, owners have leased portions of
C O N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E O N E their land to organic growers or transitioned to organic in whole or part themselves.
Nearly a dozen farms or ranches with malt easements now support organic busi-
nesses, including the Straus Dairy, the Sartori Ranch, the Gale Ranch, the Lafranchi Ranch, the Poncia Ranch, the Cerini
Ranch, the Maloney Ranch, the Volpi Ranch, and the Stubbs Ranch. In most cases, the landowners are combining a tradi-
tional undertaking like the pasturing of livestock on Marin’s rolling hills with growing certified organic row crops.
Steve Quirt, UC Cooperative Extension Organic & Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator, works with traditional opera-
tors, organic farmers, and those who are considering diversifying their farm businesses to reach new markets. He says that
the cultivated system complements the wild system, both agriculturally and economically. “The row crops, most of which are
sold directly to restaurants or to consumers at farmers’ markets, may provide a financial safety net for commodity producers
whose income can be unpredictable,” he says. “It’s a way to add on to their operation as an insurance against commodity
market fluctuations,” he says. “It’s the perfect diversification.”
Today, West Marin seems poised to enhance its reputation as both a stronghold for mainstream agriculture and an innova-
tive leader in the organic arena. Stewardship by local ranching families has kept thousands of rural acres viable and productive
over the course of a century and a half of use. As organic products become more mainstream, the transition to organic may
become more inviting to local producers. With your help, malt—the first agricul- Marin Agricultural Land Trust News© is published
tural land trust in the United States—will continue its efforts to preserve the land quarterly by Marin Agricultural Land Trust, a nonprofit,
tax-exempt organization.
that enables sustainable agriculture of every sort to continue in Marin County. MARIN AGRICULTURAL LAND TRUST
—Elisabeth Ptak PO Box 809, Point Reyes Station
California 94956-0809
4 M A R I N A G R I C U L T U R A L L A N D T R U S T
 M A R I N A G R I C U L T U R A L L A N D T R U S T

SPRING
MALT HIKES & TOURS &
Sustainability is the theme for our Hikes & Tours & Talks this season—economic sustainability, environmental
TALKS 2006
sustainability, and sustainable farming practices. As the County of Marin finalizes its innovative Countywide Plan based on goals of sustainabil-
ity, MALT Talks will focus on how this relates to Marin’s family farms. Talks are co-sponsored by the County of Marin, UC Cooperative Extension,
Marin Organic, College of Marin, and the Marin Food Systems Project of the Environmental Education Council of Marin. MALT’s Hikes & Tours
will highlight sustainable farming practices. Some are new, like the Straus Dairy’s methane digester. Others, like silage production, have been
employed for a century or more. We invite you to come along on a hike, take a tour, or join the conversation about this important subject.
M ARIN AGRICULTURAL LAND TRUST
Post Office Box 809 Point Reyes Station, California 94956 415-663-1158 hikes&tours@malt.org malt.org

Paige Green
PARADISE VALLEY FARM — SUSTAINING HEALTHY SOIL FOOD & FARMING ON THE URBAN EDGE:
Saturday, March 18 INTRODUCING THE NATURAL SYSTEMS & AGRICULTURE ELEMENT OF
Follow in the footprints of HRH Prince Charles and learn about beneficial THE MARIN COUNTYWIDE PLAN
indigenous microbes that feed the soil from Bolinas farmers Dennis and Sandy Thursday, March 23
Dierks. Prince Charles now uses this technique on his organic farms in England In conjunction with National Agriculture Week, get an introduction to the
in an effort to revitalize their soil. The Dierks employ a variety of techniques Agriculture & Food portion of the Marin Countywide Plan with Alex Hinds,
to create healthy soil on their five-acre organic farm. Learn about cover crops Director of Marin County’s Community Development Agency, Ellie Rilla,
they turn back into the soil and watch Dennis demonstrate the process for Director of UC Cooperative Extension, and Aimee Crawford, MALT Ease-
finding and propagating beneficial microbes. Pre-registration required. ment Program Manager, along with Pt. Reyes rancher Kevin Lunny. This
TIME: 10 A.M. – 2 P.M. evening will surely spark debates and create new insights on how the County
WHERE TO MEET: At the intersection of Olema/Bolinas Rd and Horseshoe can support our family farms. A local food and wine reception will be held
Hill Rd., turn right. Drive .08 a mile on Horseshoe Hill Rd. Turn left, at the end of the evening. Pre-registration by phone or mail required.
proceed to the “T,” and turn left into driveway. TIME: 7 – 9:30 P.M.
WHAT TO BRING: Water, picnic, walking shoes WHERE TO MEET: Marin Art & Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Blvd., Ross
COST: $20 / $25 non-member COST: Free
M A R I N A G R I C U LT U R A L L A N D T R U S T HIKES & TOURS Registration Form
Due to ongoing concerns about Foot-and-Mouth I would like to sign up for the following MALT Hikes & Tours:
Disease, we ask that individuals who have visited farms tour name # people date
outside the U.S.A. up to 10 days prior to events not par-
ticipate in farm tours. Weather can change quickly in $
West Marin. Bring a jacket for warmth, a hat for protec- $
tion from the sun, and a daypack for food & drinks. $
Most tours are not appropriate for young children.
✁ cut here ✁

Absolutely no pets allowed

Please check with MALT. For more detailed directions to
a Hikes & Tours meeting place, phone 415-663-1158,
I’d like to become a MALT member.
Monday – Friday, 9 A.M.–5 P.M. or visit www.malt.org $40 Individual $75 Supporter $100 Associate
$250 Sponsor Other $
Easy: Flat or very little slope in a
distance of less than one mile Total Enclosed $ As tours fill up at different rates,
Moderate: Varied, mild terrain for please enclose a separate check
Separate checks for each tour are enclosed. Charge my credit card
one–five miles for each tour, or charge tours
Difficult: Steep terrain and/or over name card # & memberships to your VISA,
five miles Mastercard, or American Express.
signature expiration date
Family Tour: Activities appropriate Registration by mail only.
for a family Please complete other side of form.
 CERINI, PONCIA, & SPALETTA RANCHES
GRASS-FED BEEF, LAMBS & HEIRLOOM POTATOES
Saturday, April 8
Organic grower David Little raises organic pota-
toes, strawberries, and a variety of vegetables on
portions of two ranches protected by MALT ease-
ments: the Cerini Ranch (where you’ll also meet
Dave Evans and learn about his Marin Sun Farm’s
grass-fed beef operation); and the Poncia Ranch
(where Al Poncia will describe creek restoration
projects and introduce you to his spring lambs).
He lives on the Spaletta Ranch, a traditional
beef operation. Pre-registration required.
TIME: 10 A.M. – 2 P.M.
WHERE TO MEET: Tomales Town Hall. Carpool
to the ranch.
WHAT TO BRING: Water, picnic, walking shoes
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:
COST: $20 / $25 non-member
WINDRUSH FARM FAMILY DAY
EARTH DAY ON THE FARM
Saturday, April 22
Picture baby animals bounding over spring-green
fields. Feed the lambs, llamas, cows, and goats.
Hunt for nature’s treasures and look for tadpoles in
the creek. Mimi Luebbermann breeds and raises
the historic Lincoln breed of sheep, prized for their
long-haired fleece. She will show us various fleeces
and wool products and teach us how to card, spin,
and dye wool. Bring a picnic and enjoy lunch in
the garden or out in the fields. A great tour for
the whole family. Pre-registration required.
TIME: 10:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
WHERE TO MEET: 2263 Chileno Valley Rd., just
south of Sonoma County line. From Marin, take
Hicks Valley Rd. to Marshall-Petaluma Rd. Turn
right on Wilson Hill Rd. Travel 3 miles to the farm.
From Petaluma, take Western Ave. west 2 miles to
Chileno Valley Rd. Travel 3.6 miles to the farm.
WHAT TO BRING: Water, picnic, walking shoes
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:
COST: $20 / $ 25 non-members ($10 for chil-
dren, $55 for a family of 4 or more)
STRAUS DAIRY
SILAGE & HOMEOPATHY
Thursday, April 27
Join dairymen Albert Straus and Julian Kayne in
the fields to learn about the practice of producing
nutritious silage for animal feed. Silage is made
up of forage plants such as legumes, grasses, or
cereal grains grown specifically for feed then
packed tightly in a silo or a nearly airless plastic
bag to prevent spoilage. Learn about the issues
facing family farms and watch the cows being
milked in the dairy that was converted to organic
in 1993 and today milks 270 cows that are treat-
ed homeopathically. Pre-registration required.
TIME: 1 – 3 P.M.
WHERE TO MEET: Millerton Point Parking Lot,
5 miles north of Point Reyes Station. Carpool
to dairy.
WHAT TO BRING: Water, shoes that can get
dirty,
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:
COST: $15 / $20 non-members
GALE RANCH
BEEF COWS, WILDFLOWERS & BIRDS
Sunday, April 30
Walk along Chileno Creek on the Gale Ranch
with owners Mike and Sally Gale and naturalist
David Wimpfhiemer. Learn how creek restora-
tion projects here have increased wildlife and
neotropical migrant birds such as warblers,
Warbling Vireo, and Bullock’s Oriole. The open
grasslands are great places to see a Western
Bluebird, an Ash-throated Flycatcher and even a
Golden Eagle, if we’re lucky. Hike over steep
hills to find and identify lupine, checkerbloom
and other spring wildflowers. Meet grass-fed beef
cattle that Mike Gale raises and markets directly
to consumers. Pre-registration required.
TIME: 8:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M.
WHERE TO MEET: Gale Ranch, 5105 Chileno
Valley Rd.
WHAT TO BRING: Water, picnic, hiking shoes,
binoculars
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:
COST: $20 / $25 non-members
LUNNY RANCH & DRAKES BAY OYSTERS
OYSTERS, BEEF & ARTICHOKES
Saturday, May 6
Meet Kevin Lunny who grew up on a 1,500-
acre ranch on the Pt. Reyes Peninsula that is
now Marin’s largest organically certified pasture-
land. In the 1970s, Kevin’s father, Joe, convert-
ed the operation from dairy to beef. A few years
ago, Kevin converted that conventional herd to
grass-fed and organic. To diversify his operation,
he also planted five acres of artichokes, the
same kind that grew in that region before it
became a national park. He also purchased the
former Johnson’s Oysters located on Schooner
Bay. Visit all three operations and taste the
products that are in season.
TIME: 10 A.M. – 2 P.M.
WHERE TO MEET: Historic G Ranch, located
on the right, six miles past Inverness on Sir
Francis Drake Blvd.
WHAT TO BRING: Water, picnic, walking shoes
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:
COST: $20 / $25 non-member
MCEVOY RANCH
PLANTING & POLLINATING
Friday, May 12
Tour Nan McEvoy’s 550-acre organic olive ranch
in a spectacular valley near the Marin-Sonoma
Border. Walk among the flowering orchards and
wildflowers and learn how olives are grown. This
organic ranch is working to link the farmscape
with the landscape to increase wildlife habitat.
Then tour the olive pressing facility and watch as
oil is pressed or extracted from the olives. Taste
the oil and, if you like, purchase a variety of
products made with this wonderful farm product.
Limited to the first 40 reservations received by
mail. Pre-registration required.
TIME: 10 A.M. – noon (Please arrive on time)
WHERE TO MEET: McEvoy Ranch, 5 miles
south of Petaluma at 5935 Red Hill Rd.
(aka D Street or Point Reyes-Petaluma Rd).
WHAT TO BRING: Water, walking shoes
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:
COST: $15 / $20 non-member
STRAUS DAIRY
ENERGY FROM COWS
Thursday, May 25
Albert Straus and Julian Kayne are your hosts
again as you learn about the methane digester
and other creative energy solutions Albert has
implemented at his organic dairy, the first west
of the Mississippi. You’ll find out more about
the issues facing family farms and watch the
cows being milked in the dairy that was convert-
ed to organic production in 1993 and today
milks 270 cows that are treated homeopathical-
ly. Pre-registration required.
TIME: 1 – 3 P.M.
WHERE TO MEET: Millerton Point Parking Lot,
5 miles north of Point Reyes Station. Carpool
to dairy.
WHAT TO BRING: Water, shoes that can get dirty
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:
COST: $15 / $20 non-member

M A R I N A G R I C U LT U R A L L A N D T R U S T HIKES & TOURS Registration Form

name(s)
Space is limited, and tours fill up
quickly. Registration is by mail
street only. Full payment is required, and
city state zip all participants must pre-register
✁ cut here ✁

by five days prior to event.

telephone email
Confirmations will be sent. Refunds
RELEASE OF LIABILITY: Each participant must sign. are given only if MALT cancels a
I am aware that accidents or injuries may occur during hiking and walking activities sponsored by Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT). I am tour or if tour is already full. Please
voluntarily participating in these activities. I hereby agree to accept any and all risks of injury on behalf of myself and any of my minor children
who may also participate in the activity. As consideration for being permitted to participate in this activity, I hereby release, discharge, waive, and be prompt. Events are timed around
relinquish any and all actions, causes of action, or claims for personal injury or damages that I, my assignees, heirs, and legal representatives may the farm’s or dairy’s work sched-
have now or hereafter against MALT or the property owner resulting from negligence or other acts, howsoever caused, by any employee, officer,
agent, or contractor of MALT or the property owner arising from my participation or my child(ren)’s participation in the activity. ules. We will be hiking and touring
on private property. You have per-
signature date
mission to enter for the hike or tour
signature date only. You may not re-enter at anoth-
Mail completed registration forms and signed release for each participant with checks made payable to MALT. er time. Absolutely no pets allowed.
Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Post Office Box 809, Point Reyes Station, California 94956 . 415-663-1158
 P R O T E C T I N G T H E F U T U R E

Legacy Gifts Help Sustain the Future of Family Farms

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world;
indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. — MARGARET MEAD

It’s true that a small group can change the world,
and malt is a perfect example of that. Malt’s creation was
the result of a concerted effort on the part of individuals who
valued agriculture and open space, rural life and genuine
community, and who believed in the importance of preserving
these aspects of Marin. A destination not only for Bay Area
residents, but also for people from around the world, western
Marin County’s unique and beautiful landscape is not what
it is today by accident or luck.
Partners for Preservation, malt’s planned
giving program, provides an opportunity for you
to make a charitable gift with your estate assets to
help secure malt’s financial future—as well as our
success in preserving agriculture and the working
landscape in Marin County—for generations to come.
Planned giving is a term that covers all kinds of charitable
gifts including bequests, trusts, and gifts of retirement benefits.
Such planning allows you to leave a real legacy with lasting,
positive impact that continues far beyond your lifetime.
Though Marin occupies a relatively small slice of the
world, its beauty impresses visitors from far beyond the
County boundaries. Malt’s mission, though local in scope,
represents a national movement towards recognizing and
protecting our agricultural heritage and the working land-
scape—fundamental parts of Marin’s unique character.
Since 1980, malt and its increasing membership (5,600
members to date) have helped protect more than 38,000 acres
of farmland throughout Marin. Over the next 25 years, with
your help, we hope to preserve the 80,000 acres still at risk.
We hope you will consider leaving a legacy gift to malt to
protect the character and landscape of Marin County for
future generations. We invite you to join our other supporters
who have stepped forward to provide the philanthropic leader-
ship and vision that is essential to sustain malt’s future.
—Katie Medwar
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Memorial giving can be a way of healing as well as remem-
bering. One way to celebrate the life of someone important
to you who has passed away is to contribute a charitable gift
in his or her memory.
Here at MALT, we are honored to have received many gen-
erous memorial gifts in honor of Bill King, the late, celebrat-
ed Bay Area sportscaster who passed away last fall. Others
have given thoughtful memorial gifts recently in memory of
Susanna Jacobs, remembered as a longtime president of the
Environmental Action Committee of West Marin. Gifts of
this type commemorate the life’s work of these citizens,
while supporting our farmland stewardship efforts.
A memorial gift to MALT supports our Stewardship Fund,
which acts as an endowment to ensure our ability to con-
tinue preserving farmland and safeguarding the integrity of
our conservation easements in perpetuity. —K.M.

For information about including MALT in your estate plan, or if you have any questions about Partners for Preservation, or to honor
a loved one with a memorial gift, contact Development Director Rita Cummings at rcummings@malt.org or 415-663-1158 x 5.

will design the process and procedures this year, then test them with an initial round
PUBLIC TRUST of applications in 2007. Full operations will be under way by 2008.
C O N T I N U E D F R O M PAG E O N E Any land trust seeking accreditation must adopt LTA’s Standards and Practices. First
developed in 1989, the Standards and Practices are guidelines for responsible operation
of a land trust. The accreditation process will use many of these as indicators of a land trust’s ability to operate in a sound
ethical, legal, and technical manner.
LTA’s Standards and Practices are organized into 12 Standards with supporting Practices. The Standards provide general
statements covering all aspects of operations, including the organization’s mission, board accountability, staff and volunteers,
fundraising, financial management, transactional management, and easement stewardship. The Practices provide detailed
guidance for fulfilling the requirements of each Standard. For example, Standard 1 requires a land trust to have a “clear mission
that serves a public interest, and all programs support that mission.” Supporting Practices include periodic board review of
the mission statement, establishment of strategic goals for implementing the mission, and regular communication of the
land trust’s mission and programs to members, donors, and the general public.
Standards and Practices are adopted by a land trust through a formal resolution of its Board of Directors. After adoption,
staff and board work together to implement them in a manner appropriate to the size and scope of their organization. They
are intended to serve as guides for individual operations and also as an indication of each organization’s commitment to
upholding the credibility of the land trust community as a whole.
Malt has adopted the LTA Standards and Practices and intends to apply for the Accreditation Program when applica-
tions become available. More information about these and other LTA activities is available at www.lta.org.
—Aimee Crawford
M A R I N A G R I C U L T U R A L L A N D T R U S T 7
 Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PA I D
Marin
A g r i c u l t u ra l
L a n d Tr u s t
P R E S E R V I N G M A R I N C O U N T Y F A R M L A N D

M ARIN A GRICULTURAL L AND T RUST

Box 809 Point Reyes Station California 94956
malt.org

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

MALT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sam Dolcini, Chair Rancher, West Marin
Warren Weber, Vice-Chair Organic Farmer,
The MALT SHOP Stan Gillmar, Secretary
Bolinas
Attorney, Inverness
Doug Moore, Treasurer Businessman, San
MALT Tote Bag 20.00 Francisco
perfect for the farmers’ market Janeann Erickson Rancher, Tomales
Phyllis Faber Biologist, Mill Valley
100% cotton T-shirt (Adult S, M, L, XL) 18.00 Anne Flemming Community Volunteer, Ross
same design as tote bag Tim Furlong Rancher / Contractor, Tomales
Tony Gilbert Lawyer, Marshall
100% cotton T-shirt (Youth XS, S, M, L) 16.00 Joe Gillach Businessman, San Francisco
Chris Kelly Conservationist, Larkspur
same design as tote bag Steve Kinsey Marin County Supervisor,
4th District
100% cotton Baseball Cap 20.00 Jim McIsaac Rancher, Novato
spruce green, adjustable strap Tim Nunes Rancher, Point Reyes
Loren Poncia Rancher, Tomales
Ranches & Rolling Hills Collection 15.00 Lynn Giacomini Stray Farmstead Cheese
Producer, Point Reyes Station
(a selection of 10 notecards with envelopes) Bill Zimmerman Rancher, Marshall

An Abundant Land: The Story of West Marin Ranching STAFF

an audio cassette driving tour narrated by Peter Coyote Robert Berner, Executive Director
Special price 5.00 Aimee Crawford, Easement Program Manager
Rita Cummings, Development Director
Laura Holter, Bookkeeper
Shipping/Handling: Add $5.00 per order Katie Medwar, Development Associate
Total $ Tony Nelson, Stewardship Coordinator
Laura Patterson, Membership & Database Manager
I want to help MALT preserve Marin County’s beautiful and productive agricultural land. Elisabeth Ptak, Associate Director/
Director of Outreach
Here’s my tax deductible contribution of: Leah Smith, Education Associate
$40 $75 $100 $250 Other $ Katherine Landreth, Office Manager
Constance Washburn, Education Director
My check payable to MALT is enclosed Charge my VISA Mastercard American Express
MARIN AGRICULTURAL LAND TRUST is a
name Marin Agricultural Land Trust private, member-supported, nonprofit organiza-
tion created in 1980 by a coalition of ranchers
street Post Office Box 809
and environmentalists to permanently preserve
city state zip Point Reyes Station, California 94956 Marin County farmlands for agricultural use.
telephone: email 415 663 1158 MALT eliminates the development potential on
card # expiration date farmland @ malt.org farmland through the acquisition of conserva-
tion easements in voluntary transactions with
signature malt.org landowners. MALT also encourages public
Editor: Elisabeth Ptak. Graphic design: Gay Stack. Printed with soy ink on recycled paper. policies which support and enhance agriculture.