2007 fall marin agricultural land trust newsletter

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The notion of an agricultural land trust was a new concept in the United States in the late 1970s when rancher Ellen Straus and environmentalist Phyllis Faber began to worry that non-farm development would soon threaten the historic tradition of farming in West Marin. Phyllis and Ellen came up with the idea that “certainty” was a critical element for ranchers. “It was really on a walk,” Phyllis says, “when we had yet another of many conversations about what could make a differ- ence for agriculture in this county.” If the development potential were removed, the two women reasoned, there would be greater certainty that the land would remain agricultural. Ranchers could then more confi- dently invest in their farms, and their sons and daughters would see a future on the ranch. The Trust for Public Land offered to help create a land trust, a vehicle for buying the development rights on farmland. Ralph Grossi, chair of the Marin County Farm Bureau’s land use committee at that time, and Gary Giacomini, then Marin County Supervisor for West Marin, supported the idea, and MALT was established in 1980. 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 On a bright spring morning in Bolinas, a school bus unloads 25 fourth- graders and all their exuberant energy onto Sandy Dierks’ family farm. She smiles in welcome. “Here they come! We have so much to share with them!” she says. She greets the children, their teachers, and parents, knowing that she is someone few of the kids or adults may have met before—she is a farmer. So begins another day in the life of MALT’s Farm Field Studies Program, a remarkable effort to connect schoolchil- dren with our local farms and ranches. Working with educators, the Marin Agriculture and Education Alliance, and willing farmers, MALT’s Education Director Constance Washburn created the Farm Field Studies Program in 2002, determined to bring Marin’s agriculture closer to kids. For any student, a field trip can be an exciting departure from school routine, but this excursion is even more of a change than usual. Within five minutes of arrival, these 10-year-olds from central Marin are standing in a field of newly turned soil, learning directly from Sandy and her husband Dennis about weeds, compost, and work as they help to plant potatoes. Their teacher has prepared them for this farm visit with worm compost projects, reading assignments about farms and farmers, research, and discussions. She has made agriculture part of their curriculum and a starting place for creativity and understanding. The Farm Field Studies Program accommodates all ages, kindergarten through 12th grade, depending on how the teachers wish to incorporate agriculture into their lesson plans. Many third-graders, for example, participate as part of the “Healthy Eating” curriculum, learning (to their amazement!) that green beans actually grow on a bush. During their day on the farm, the students may hoe weeds, harvest crops, search for fish in the creek, milk a goat, or gather eggs. As another FFS Program host, Mimi Luebbermann of Windrush Farm points out, “Who better to teach them than the farmer?” It isn’t just the children who are learning, either. Both Sandy and Mimi agree—every adult who participates in the pro- gram for the first time is “surprised and amazed” at the extent of agriculture in Marin. continued page seven continued page two Fall 2007 Volume 23 Number 3 phyllis F aber, Malt co-Founder, celebrates 80th birthday l earning about F arMs : t he F ield t rip Paige Green

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2007 Fall Marin Agricultural Land Trust Newsletter

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Page 1: 2007 Fall Marin Agricultural Land Trust Newsletter

The notion of an agricultural land trust was a new concept in the United States in the late 1970s when rancher Ellen Straus and environmentalist Phyllis Faber began to worry that non-farm development would soon threaten the historic tradition of farming in West Marin.

Phyllis and Ellen came up with the idea that “certainty” was a critical element for ranchers. “It was really on a walk,” Phyllis says, “when we had yet another of many conversations about what could make a differ-ence for agriculture in this county.” If the development potential were removed, the two women reasoned, there would be greater certainty that the land would remain agricultural. Ranchers could then more confi-dently invest in their farms, and their sons and daughters would see a future on the ranch.

The Trust for Public Land offered to help create a land trust, a vehicle for buying the development rights on farmland. Ralph Grossi, chair of the Marin County Farm Bureau’s land use committee at that time, and Gary Giacomini, then Marin County Supervisor for West Marin, supported the idea, and MALT was established in 1980.

marin agriculturalL A N D T R U S T N E W S

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

On a bright spring morning in Bolinas, a school bus unloads 25 fourth-graders and all their exuberant energy onto Sandy Dierks’ family farm. She smiles in welcome. “Here they come! We have so much to share with them!” she says. She greets the children, their teachers, and parents, knowing that she is someone few of the kids or adults may have met before—she is a farmer.

So begins another day in the life of MALT’s Farm Field Studies Program, a remarkable effort to connect schoolchil-dren with our local farms and ranches. Working with educators, the Marin Agriculture and Education Alliance, and willing farmers, MALT’s Education Director Constance Washburn created

the Farm Field Studies Program in 2002, determined to bring Marin’s agriculture closer to kids.For any student, a field trip can be an exciting departure from school routine, but this excursion is even more of a change than usual.

Within five minutes of arrival, these 10-year-olds from central Marin are standing in a field of newly turned soil, learning directly from Sandy and her husband Dennis about weeds, compost, and work as they help to plant potatoes.

Their teacher has prepared them for this farm visit with worm compost projects, reading assignments about farms and farmers, research, and discussions. She has made agriculture part of their curriculum and a starting place for creativity and understanding. The Farm Field Studies Program accommodates all ages, kindergarten through 12th grade, depending on how the teachers wish to incorporate agriculture into their lesson plans. Many third-graders, for example, participate as part of the “Healthy Eating” curriculum, learning (to their amazement!) that green beans actually grow on a bush.

During their day on the farm, the students may hoe weeds, harvest crops, search for fish in the creek, milk a goat, or gather eggs. As another FFS Program host, Mimi Luebbermann of Windrush Farm points out, “Who better to teach them than the farmer?” It isn’t just the children who are learning, either. Both Sandy and Mimi agree—every adult who participates in the pro-gram for the first time is “surprised and amazed” at the extent of agriculture in Marin.

co n t inued pag e s e v en

co n t inued pag e t wo

Fall 20 07 Volume 23 Number 3

phyllis Faber, Malt co-Founder, celebrates 80th birthday

learning about FarMs:the Field trip

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Page 2: 2007 Fall Marin Agricultural Land Trust Newsletter

We are very pleased to announce that Left Bank Brasserie will host a special fundraising dinner and auction at the Lark-spur restaurant on Sunday, October 14, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. Please mark your calendar for this gourmet event that will help MALT preserve more Marin County farmland.

Renowned chef, Roland Passot of La Folie, Left Bank Brasseries and Tanglewood, will create a special menu for the dinner featuring local, seasonal foods with a “Grown in Marin” theme. Tickets at $250 per person include a “Farmers’ Market” and special tasting from local producers, followed by a sit-down dinner and auction. Topping the list of live auction items are:

Dinner for 10 in your home prepared and cooked by acclaimed, Michelin rated Chef Roland Passot of La Folie, Left Bank Brasseries, and TanglewoodExclusive wine country tour, with wine tasting, private dinner, and luxury accommodations for two couplesTwo-night stay at The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay with coastal view accommodations, dinner for two at Navio, featuring fine Northern Californian coastal cuisine, and two 60-minute Half Moon Bay Signature Massages in the Ritz-Carlton SpaPrivate tour and lunch for 10 at the Point Reyes Farmstead Blue cheesemaking facility overlooking Tomales Bay

Silent auction items include cases of vintage wine, spa treatments, a year of local produce, landscape paintings of West Marin, weekend getaways in Northern California, and much, much more.

“We greatly appreciate the support of Left Bank Brasserie in creating and hosting this event to help MALT preserve more Marin farmland,” says Executive Director Bob Berner. “In the coming year alone, we have a unique opportunity to protect another 5,000 acres at a cost of close to $13 million. We can’t achieve this goal without community support. This event will be a great boost to our efforts.”

“MALT’s work is vital to the survival of working farms in West Marin,” says Left Bank Brasserie Vice-president of Operations, Tom Bensel. “Our Bay Area restaurants depend on the availability of fresh, local food and wines. Our decision to host this dinner to raise money for MALT’s programs is a testament to our commitment to ensuring continued access to healthy, local food—not just now, but for future generations.”

Watch for your invitation in the mail in early September, and check www.malt.org for updated information. We look forward to seeing you at this very special gastronomic adventure.

leFt bank brasserie dinner & auctionwill help save Marin FarMland

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For the dozen or so farmers and ranchers involved, welcoming school groups to their farms is important in several ways. Not only are they teaching kids about agriculture, they’re also educating adult consumers whose food choices, shopping habits, and support

of local farms will be essential in preserving agriculture in Marin County.The rise of the organic food movement, the popularity of Marin’s farmers’ markets, and the renewed emphasis on nutrition

in the elementary school curriculum all have contributed to the desire for programs such as this. Beyond that, the power of the Farm Field Studies program is in its simplicity: bring the kids and their teachers out to the farm, let them meet and learn from the farmers, encourage them to interact with a farm animal, show them where crops grow and how they are harvested. An elemental bond has been re-established, connecting people to the land.

One testament to the impact of this reconnection is in the thank-you notes, cards, and artwork the students send to the farmers after their visit:

“I loved your ranch. I liked getting the chicken eggs. There was a puffy chicken—he was black. I had so much fun! Thank you for showing it all to us.” Love, Lauren (2nd grade)

“I had a blast at Gospel Flats Farm where it was so fun! Everybody was sad when we had to leave the farm—everybody wanted to live there. The boys in my class said that they would give up video games to be there.” Rebecca (4th grade)

“Thank you for letting us go to your farm. Almost everybody said this was the best field trip they ever went on. Thank you for showing us everything you do to grow food.” Alan (5th grade)

As MALT’s Farm Field Studies Program continues its work reconnecting kids, adults, and agriculture, then Marin’s farms and the folks who tend them will also continue to produce, share, teach, and thrive. —Katherine Landreth

To sign up for a Farm Field Studies trip for your school, please contact Sandy Dierks at 415-868-0205 or [email protected].

Field tripc o n t i n u e d F r o M p a g e o n e

Page 3: 2007 Fall Marin Agricultural Land Trust Newsletter

Over a three-week period on a recent trip to England, I was offered a steady diet of just four vegetables: peas, asparagus, broad beans, and what the English call courgettes and we know as zucchini. Prepared in a variety of ways, the vegetables were always tasty and never boring because they were picked at the height of their season by local growers. Cooks found creative ways to make the most of the bounty.

From farmers’ markets to my daughter’s London kitchen, to the café of the Victoria and Albert Museum, and everything in between, people were buying, cooking, and eating in season and the results were tasty. As Susy Smith, Editor of the British Country Living Magazine writes, “As well as being fresher for not having traveled miles from field to fork, many of these foods are firmly rooted in their locality, telling a story about the land-scape and the farmers who produce them.”

In the Bay Area, we also have the good fortune of having access to foods “rooted in their locality.” In early July, for example, the Point Reyes farmers’ market offered lettuce and beets from Bolinas, raspberries, strawberries, and cauliflower from Tomales, cheese produced from Marshall cows, and eggs from chickens roosting on the Point Reyes Peninsula. By the time this newsletter arrives in your mailbox in August, the selection will have changed considerably, as the fruits and vegetables that ripen along the coast in the late summer tell a different “story about the landscape”—one that might possibly include tomatoes!

It is only within the last hundred years or so that shipping foods all over the world became feasible. Now it has become commonplace, and, until recently, we thought nothing of the fact that most of our foods were imported from miles away. But climate change, energy shortages, and population growth have created uncertainties about where and how food will be grown in the coming years. Compound this with the fact that day after day in the United States, we are paving over some of the most fertile land in the world. According to the American Farmland Trust, “Every hour, we lose 125 acres of farm and ranch land. That’s 3,000 acres a day and over 1 million acres a year! In the time that it took you to read this sentence, we’ve already lost two acres.”

Eating food that is produced locally, at a family-owned farm or ranch, helps both the local and regional economy. The money a local farmer makes each time he or she sells a vegetable or piece of fruit goes directly to the farm and its workers. For the most part, that money gets re-circulated throughout the community: at the grocery, at the movie theater, at the hardware store, at the bookshop.

Farmers’ markets are great sources of seasonal farm products that come fresh from the field and kitchens of local growers and producers. They’re an important opportunity for family farmers, providing increased income and the development of cherished customer relationships. Direct sales to consumers also eliminate environmental impacts like transportation costs, excess packaging, and the threat of widespread contamination that comes with an anonymous food system. Though eating seasonally challenges us to be selective in our buying and creative in our cooking, choosing to shop at farmers’ markets helps ensure that local agriculture will continue to thrive. And that’s a very big deal!

—ElisabEth ptak with mia pEllEtiEr

what’s the big dealabout local Food?

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Jesse Kuhn, owner of Marin Roots Farm, grows organic produce on 10 acres of the Volpi Ranch, which is protected by a MALT easement

Page 4: 2007 Fall Marin Agricultural Land Trust Newsletter

Earlier this summer, Marin Agricultural Land Trust gained 25 fantastic new volunteers. With MALT co-founder Phyllis Faber welcoming them to our annual training, the new volunteers stood up one by one to share their motivations for donating their valuable time and energy. Though their reasons varied, the common thread was their desire to help preserve the agricultural community we are lucky to have here in Marin.

MALT’s volunteers are an amazingly dedicated bunch. They not only staff MALT events, but also serve as teachers and community ambassadors. Before they even begin to “volunteer,” they complete a com-prehensive two-day training program. They get a crash

course in MALT’s history, agriculture in Marin, conservation easements, land stewardship, the Williamson Act, and the challenges of running a farm, dairy, beef, or oyster operation. They learn how to safely lead hikes and tours, how to engage schoolchildren on field trips, how to assemble the MALT float for parades, and even how to fill out a credit slip for the sale of a MALT t-shirt.

The new volunteers’ professional backgrounds are diverse: dentistry, marketing, interior design, psychology, publishing, and the law. But they have chosen to commit themselves to, on average, one event each month for a year because they understand the value of local foods and farms, and deeply appreciate the work that MALT and the agricultural community have accomplished together.

These new volunteers join our experienced ones, making a total volunteer cadre of 75 men and women. Only with all of their help can MALT possibly offer its Hikes & Tours and Farm Field Studies programs, provide friendly and knowledgeable information at farmers’ markets and festivals, and collaborate in such wonderful events as the Ranches & Rolling Hills Landscape Art Show and the upcoming Taste of Marin. And for that, we at MALT are truly grateful. —mia pEllEtiEr

Meet our new volunteers

Marin Master Gardeners, a program of UC CooperativeExtension, have been helping MALT staffer Katie Medwar rejuvenate the yard behind our office with a low-maintenance 36 x 21-foot garden, seating area, vegetable patch, and flower beds. So far the ground has been cleared, two vegetable beds have been planted, and lettuces and herbs have already been harvested. With a few more work sessions, and the help of other Master Gardeners and MALT staff and volun-teers, this small garden will be beautifully transformed. To help, contact Katie, [email protected]

Marin Agricultural Land Trust News© is published quarterly by Marin Agricultural Land Trust, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization.

Marin agricultural land trustPO Box 809, Point Reyes Station

California 94956-0809

p e o p l e i n a g r i c u l t u r e

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sMall is beautiFul

Pictured: Katie Medwar with Master Gardeners Lynne Jennings and Alice Eckart

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Page 5: 2007 Fall Marin Agricultural Land Trust Newsletter

Visit Marin’s family farms at harvest time so you can taste, touch, and see the beauty and the bounty of our farmlands. Bring your family to a farm to learn the history of some of Marin’s farming families and find out how they grow and produce healthy, delicious food that’s rooted in the local landscape.

MALTHIKES & TOURS & TALKSFALL2007

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 FormDue to ongoing concerns about Foot-and-Mouth Disease, we ask that individuals who have visited farms outside the U.S.A. up to 10 days prior to events not participate in farm tours. Weather can change quickly in West Marin. Bring a jacket for warmth, a hat for pro-tection from the sun, and a daypack for food & drinks. most tours are not appropriate for young children. Please check with MALT. For more detailed directions to a Hikes & Tours meeting place, phone 415-663-1158, Monday – Friday, 9 a.M.–5 p.M. or visit www.malt.org

easy: Flat or very little slope in a distance of less than one milemoderate: Varied, mild terrain for one–five milesdifficult: Steep terrain and/or over five milesfamily tour: Activities appropriate for a family

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marin agricultur al land trustPost Office Box 809 Point Reyes Station, California 94956 415-663-1158 [email protected] malt.org

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9th ANNUAL TASTE OF MARINSunday, August 26MALT and Marin Organic are teaming up with the Marin Farmers Markets to bring you a spectacular celebration of the bounty of Marin County and the people who bring it from the field to the table. Featuring local farmers, ranchers, cheesemakers, bakers, and vintners, as well as the best of local restaurants and celebrity chefs, and the distinctive vocals of Maria Muldaur. The event is a showcase of some of our area’s most phenomenal food, presented in the magical atmosphere of an Indian summer evening in a 19th century mission-style courtyard. To purchase tickets please visit www.tasteofmarin.orgTime: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.Where To meeT: St. Vincent’s, the Marinwood/St. Vincent Dr. Exit off Hwy 101, head east, and park as directed.CosT: $150 per person

HOG ISLAND OYSTER CO.& STRAUS ORGANIC DAIRYThursday, September 13Learn all about oyster farming and water issues as you tour Hog Island Oyster Company with the owners. Taste oysters grown in Tomales Bay and enjoy great views of the West Marin sea and sky. After eating your own picnic lunch, tour the Straus family’s organic dairy at milking time and sample their products. Learn about water issues upstream from Tomales Bay. Pre-registration required.Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Where To meeT: Hog Island Oyster Co., Highway One, Marshall (10 miles north of Point Reyes Station) What to Bring: Water, picnic, shoes that can get dirtyDegree of Difficulty:CosT: $25 / $30 non-members

I would like to sign up for the following MALT Hikes & Tours: Hikes & Tours title # people date cost

$

$

$

$

Registration is by mail only. Space is limited, and tours fill up at different rates. Please enclose a separate check for each tour, or charge tours & memberships to your VISA, Mastercard, or American Express. Full payment is required, and all participants must pre-register five days prior to event. Confirmations will be sent. Refunds only if MALT cancels a tour or if tour is already full. Please be prompt. Events are timed around the farm’s or dairy’s work schedules. Hikes & Tours are on private property, you have permission to enter for the MALT event only. You may not re-enter at another time. absolutely no pets allowed.

please complete other side of form.

Page 6: 2007 Fall Marin Agricultural Land Trust Newsletter

POINT REYES VINEYARDSGRAPE STOMP TO BENEFIT MALTSunday, September 16Come jump in a barrel and get your feet wet stomping grapes in Marin’s first grape stomp-ing competition. Taste award-winning wines produced by Point Reyes Vineyards, feast on local foods, tap those wet toes to great music, and wander through the vineyards. There will be children’s, women’s, and men’s grape stomps scheduled during the day as well as a cork toss, plus farm animals for the kids to meet. For infor-mation call Point Reyes Vineyards (415) 663-1011.Online registration only for this event at www.malt.orgTime: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Where To meeT: Point Reyes Vineyard, 12700 Hwy. 1, two miles north of Point Reyes Station.What to Bring: Feet that can stomp, clothes that can get wet and grape-yDegree of Difficulty:CosT: $20 / $25 non-members Children $5/$8 non-members

McEVOY OLIVE RANCHFriday, September 21Tour Nan McEvoy’s 550-acre organic olive ranch at harvest time, where 16,000 olive trees thrive in a spectacular valley near the Marin-Sonoma border. Walk among the orchards, learn about olive-growing, and tour the pressing facility to see how olives are transformed into oil. Afterwards, taste and purchase olive oil and a variety of related products. Limited to the first 40 reserva-tions received by mail. Pre-registration required.Time: 10 a.m. – noonWhere 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 shoesDegree of Difficulty:CosT: $15 / $20 non-member

ALLSTAR ORGANICS’TOMATO TASTINGSunday, September 30Join Marty Jacobsen and Janet Brown and taste some of the 20 varieties of heirloom tomatoes and 18 varieties of peppers they grow. Sip local wines as you sample delicious multi-colored to-matoes. Then tour their organic operation to see the tomatoes on the vine. Allstar supplies some of the best restaurants in the Bay Area including

Slanted Door, Comforts, and Michael Mina’s. Their heirloom tomato varieties include; Mort-gage Lifter, Black Seaman, and Big Rainbow. Pepper varieties include; Pizza Pepper, Purple Cayenne, and Georgia Flame. (Lafranchi Pumpkin Patch will be open and offering BBQ and pumpkins for sale.) Pre-registration required.Time: 2 – 4 p.m.Where To meeT: Allstar Organics at Nicasio Val-ley Farms. ¼ mile north of Nicasio Square.What to Bring: Water, walking shoes Degree of Difficulty: CosT: $20 / $25 non-members

NICASIO VALLEY FARMS’PUMPKIN PATCHDaily September 29 – October 31There will be no Harvest Day at the Farm this year but the Lafranchi Pumpkin Patch will be open and offering pumpkin picking, hay rides, hay mazes, jumpy houses, and farm animals during the week as well as a farm stand and BBQ every weekend. Special activities include: opening day chicken BBQ, Oct. 7 & 21, 11 a. m.; children’s musician Tim Cain; and MALT DAY, October 21, when MALT receives 10% of pumpkin sales. Learn about MALT and visit our kids’ activity booth. For more information call (415) 662-9100.Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.Where To meeT: Nicasio Valley Farms ¼ mile north of Nicasio SquareCosT: Admission is free Phone 415-662-9100 for school groups

WINDRUSH FARM FAMILY DAYSunday, October 7Fall has some of the best weather in West Marin so spend the day with your children at a small, diversified farm. Feed the sheep, llamas, cows, and goats. Mimi Luebbermann breeds and raises historic Lincoln sheep, prized for their long-haired fleece. She will show us various fleeces and wool products and teach us how to card, spin, and weave wool. 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 the Sonoma border. From Marin, take Hicks Valley Rd. Turn right onto Marshall-Peta-luma Rd. and continue onto Chileno Valley Rd. From Petaluma take Western Ave. west 2 miles take a left onto Chileno Valley Rd., then travel 3.6 miles to the farm.

What to Bring: Picnic, waterDegree of Difficulty:CosT: $20 / $ 25 non-members $10 for children $55 for a family of 4 or more

11th ANNUALBLACK MOUNTAIN HIKESaturday, October 27Join MALT board, staff, volunteers, ranchers, historians and naturalists as we climb this West Marin landmark. Learn about the preserved land from MALT staff as you picnic on the summit. Black Mountain is located on the Nobmann Ranch, one of the largest properties protected by a MALT easement. The mountain provides spec-tacular views and supports an active beef cattle operation. No pre-registration required.Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.Where To meeT: West Marin School 11550 Hwy. 1, ¼ mile north of Point Reyes Station. All must carpool to Black Mountain.What to Bring: Picnic, water, hiking shoesDegree of Difficulty:CosT: Free

FOOD & FARMINGON THE URBAN EDGEMarin FarMland & FaMily histories

Sunday, November 4Marin County farmers and ranchers have many stories to tell about their family’s history on the land. The history of how the land remained in agriculture or not is also a fascinating tale. Join: MALT founder Phyllis Faber; dairywoman and past MALT board member, Sharon Doughty; ranch owner and past board member Crawford Cooley; and historian Dewy Livingston for a presentation on Marin farmland and family histories. Crawford will talk about the Black (as in Black Mountain) family history. James Black was the first assessor of Marin County and in the 1860s he owned 44,000 acres. Who owns it now? Sharon Doughty will talk about the four gen-erations of her farming family living in Marin. Phyllis will describe the founding of MALT. The Nicasio Historical Society will introduce its new book on the history of Nicasio. Enjoy afternoon tea and local food treats.Time: 3 – 5 p.m.Where To meeT: Dance Palace, the corner of 5th & B Streets, Point Reyes Station 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

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Mail completed registration form with checks made payable to MALT.Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Post Office Box 809, Point Reyes Station, California 94956 . 415-663-1158

please complete other side of form.

name

street

city state zip

telephone email

card# expiration date

signature

I’d also like to become a MALT member. $40 Individual $75 Supporter $100 Associate $250 Sponsor Other $

Separate checks for each tour are enclosed. Charge my credit card total enclosed $absolutely no pets allowed.

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Page 7: 2007 Fall Marin Agricultural Land Trust Newsletter

Each fall, MALT’s Board of Directors hosts its annual barbeque for our Major Donors at the Directors’ Circle level ($250 and above) and for our Partners for Preservation (those who have included MALT in their estate plans). The lunch features local food and wine from farms and ranches right here in West Marin.

The get-together offers a special opportunity to hear from Executive Director Bob Berner and our board members about MALT’s future conservation projects—and for us to hear from you. This year’s barbeque will be held on the Jim and Margaret Moore Ranch. It’s a special opportunity to visit a ranch that already has been protected by a MALT easement.

We look forward to seeing you, so please mark your calendars for this annual gathering of MALT friends and supporters: Saturday, September 15 from 1–4 p.m.For more information, please email: Rita Cummings, Development Director at [email protected]

we want to say thank you

Now—almost 30 years later—MALT has become a model for communities throughout the country. More than 38,000 acres of land on 58 family farms and ranches have been perma-nently protected for agriculture through the purchase of agricultural conservation easements.

Although Ellen Straus died five years ago, Phyllis has kept their vision strong and remains as committed to preserving agricul-ture today as she did all those years ago. She is an active member of MALT’s Board of Directors and continues to be an inspira-tion to all of us. On October 31, she will celebrate her eightieth birthday.

For the last three years, Phyllis chaired the board of the Buck Institute for Age Research. She is a founding member of Marin Discoveries and the Environmental Forum of Marin and has taught in the program for its 35-year-history. As a wetlands biologist, she has monitored restoration projects in San Francisco Bay for 20 years. She has written articles for Fremontia, the journal of the California Native Plant Society, and also served as its editor. She is currently Series Editor of the California Natural History Series for the University of California Press.

What has been achieved from the vision of these two amazing women all those years ago is remarkable, but the challenges ahead are many. Continued development threats, “For Sale” signs, and the fragmentation of the farm economy make it clear that MALT’s work of preservation needs the community’s support and backing more than ever.

MALT’s conservation easement program has already protected about one-third of the farmland in West Marin. Phyllis Faber’s wish is that in her lifetime MALT will have reached the 50% mark. In pursuit of that goal, we’re determined to safeguard at least 12,000 acres over the next five years.

When asked what she hoped would be her legacy to Marin County, Phyllis answered, “Keeping agriculture alive and well and turn-ing the tide on any threats to the loss of local farms in West Marin.” And she wants to make sure that ranches remain in business—not just for this generation, but for the next as well. “We are blessed that ranchers and farmers in this area want to stay in agriculture. With-

out their commitment to farming, our landscape in West Marin would be quite different,” says Phyllis.MALT staff and board extend their deep appreciation to Phyllis Faber for her vision, work, and commitment both as an environmentalist and as a leader in preserv-ing farmland. If you’d like to wish her happy birthday or make a gift to MALT in her honor, you may do so online at www.malt.org or send your check payable to MALT to:

Happy Birthday, Phyllis!Marin Agricultural Land TrustPost Office Box 809Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

—rita Cummings

birthdayc o n t i n u e d F r o M p a g e o n e

Join the Phyllis Faber CirCle

The Phyllis Faber Circle honors our co-founder and provides an easy and convenient way to support MALT. Members of the Phyllis Faber Circle agree to an automatic monthly contribution to MALT by credit or debit card.

They help save paper and resources since they no longer need membership renewal reminders. They are free to cancel this program at any time if circumstances should change.

Current members of the Phyllis Faber Circle and those who sign up for this program by December 31, 2007, will be invited to a special farm tour with Phyllis Faber in 2008.

To join the Phyllis Faber Circle,contact Laura Patterson at [email protected].

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Page 8: 2007 Fall Marin Agricultural Land Trust Newsletter

10 t h a n n i v e r s a r y e d i t i o n

Ranches & Rolling Hills Collection

m a r in agr ic u lt u r a l l a nd tr us t

Box 809 Point Reyes Station California 94956

R E T U R N S E R V I C E R E Q U E S T E D

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

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMarin

AgriculturalLand Trust

MALT BOARD OF DIRECTORSLoren Poncia, Chair Rancher, TomalesLynn Giacomini Stray, Vice-Chair Farmstead Cheese Producer, Point Reyes StationAnne Flemming, Secretary Community Volunteer, RossDoug Moore, Treasurer Businessman, San FranciscoBob Bingham Investment Advisor, San FranciscoSam Dolcini Rancher, West MarinPhyllis Faber Biologist, Mill ValleyTony Gilbert Lawyer, MarshallJoe Gillach Businessman, San FranciscoStan Gillmar Attorney, InvernessDominic Grossi Dairyman, NovatoChris Kelly Conservationist, LarkspurSteve Kinsey Marin County Supervisor, 4th DistrictJim McIsaac Rancher, NovatoTim Nunes Rancher, Point ReyesWarren Weber Organic Farmer, BolinasBill Zimmerman Rancher, Marshall

STAFFRobert Berner, Executive DirectorRita Cummings, Development DirectorKatie Medwar, Development AssociateTony Nelson, Stewardship DirectorLaura Patterson, Membership & Database ManagerMia Pelletier, Volunteer Program ManagerBarbara Petty, Director of Finance & AdministrationElisabeth Ptak, Associate Director/ Director of OutreachJeff Stump, Easement Program DirectorConstance Washburn, Education Director

marin agricultural land trust is a private, member-supported, nonprofit organiza-tion created in 1980 by a coalition of ranchers and environmentalists to permanently preserve Marin County farmlands for agricultural use. MALT eliminates the development potential on farmland through the acquisition of conserva-tion easements in voluntary transactions with landowners. MALT also encourages publicpolicies which support and enhance agriculture.

my check payable to malt is enclosed charge my visa mastercard american express

Marin agriCultural land trustPost Office Box 809Point Reyes Station, California 94956415 663 [email protected]

malt.org

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telephone: email

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signaturePrinted on recycled paper,containing 30% post-consumer waste.

Boxed set of 10 full-color greeting cards with envelopes Boxes @ $15 =

Shipping/Handling: Add $5.00 per order

Total

Every MALT Shop purchase increases awareness of our farmland conservation efforts & raises funds for MALT.

Shop for these &other items at

malt.org

The MALT Shop

Sunday August 26www.malt.org