spring 2008 marin agricultural land trust newsletter

8/8/2019 Spring 2008 Marin Agricultural Land Trust Newsletter

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m ar in agr icultur alL 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 a r m l a n d

The close of 2007 broughtgood tidingsthe protection of threehistoric ranches in Tomales coveringmore than 1,200 acres. The MarinranchesCrayne Ranch, TomalesFarm & Dairy, and the EugenePoncia Ranchwill remain workingfarmland due to conservationeasements acquired by Marin

Agricultural Land Trust. MALTspublic and private partners and thecontributions of our donors, whoprovided funding for the $4 milliontotal easement cost, made theseacquisitions possible.

Protection of these ranches haslong been regarded as vital to theareas agricultural heritage. Theeasements represent MALTs con-tinued dedication to the protectionand enhancement of agriculturein Marin County, where escalatingland values can make the sale of farmland for non-agricultural uses a tempting alternative to the risks of small-scale farming.

C rayne r anCh With financial assistance from the Department of Conservations California Farmland Conservation Program, in October

MALT purchased an agricultural conservation easement on the 291-acre Crayne Ranch, located on Dillon Beach Road inTomales. MALT paid the appraised value of $1,020,000 for the easement, funded by an $800,000 Department of Conservationgrant and funds raised from MALT supporters.

The Crayne family has owned this prominent property since 1969. It is part of an historic landscape that has remained virtually unchanged for 150 years. When Bill Crayne died in 2003, his share of the ranch passed to his four childrenChristy Bordessa, Mike Crayne, Tracy Crayne and Jennifer Donaldson. Two years later, when Bill Craynes mother died, her ownership

interests in the ranch passed to other heirs. The sale of a conservation easement to MALT enables Craynes children and theiraunt, Kathy Hughes, to buy out the other heirs and continue the ranching business, which theyve been involved in since theearly 1990s. A former dairy, Crayne Ranch is now a beef cattle operation, with 300 animals on the home ranch and other leasedproperties. The ranch is well-suited to grazing because of its productive grasslands, which also provide excellent wildlife habitat.

Without the sale of an easement, the ranch would have been sold and most likely subdivided because of its panoramicridgetop views and proximity to Petaluma. Jennifer Donaldson, who helps operate the business and lives on the ranch, says hergrandparents worked hard to buy and then run the ranch. My grandparents leased a ranch outside of Tomales until they couldafford to buy this property. I still find scribbled notes around that my grandparents wrote, where they were trying to figure outhow to make things work financiallytheir determination motivates me to keep the ranch going. When my grandmother died,

we explored every way of keeping the ranch in the family; it all started coming together when we contacted MALT in 2006.The Crayne Ranch has been part of the agricultural landscape of Marin County for a very long time, says MALT Executive

Director Bob Berner. Were happy that MALT was able to provide the family with a conservation alternative to the sale of theranch, and that it will remain in agricultural use.

Con t inued page t

Spr ing 2008 Volume 24 Number 1

Conservation partnerships p roteCtt hree t omales Farms

Left to right, back row: Dennis Donaldson, Jeff Hughes, Kathy Hughes, Joe Mantua ,Christy Bordessa, Mike Crayne ,Gino Bordessa; left to right,front row: Jesus Hernandez, Jake Hughes, Tracy Crayne, Cassidy Bordessa, Jennifer Donaldson holding Megan Donaldson, Mollie Donaldson


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t omales Far m & d airyFormerly the Cerini Ranch, the Tomales Farm & Dairy property is the gateway to the

town of Tomales along scenic Highway 1. In 2006, MALT acquired an easement on a 178-acreportion of the ranch on the east side of Tomales through a combination of MALT funds and a generous donation of part of the

easement value by the owners. In December 2007, MALT acquired a second easement on an additional 243 acres. This new easementprevents development on six of seven potential building sites.Subdivision and development of the land could have had adrastic effect on the character of the town. Now, the property

will remain working farmland.Tomales Farm & Dairys principal owners are John

Williams and Long Meadow Ranch, owned by Ted, Laddie,and Christopher Hall. MALT acquired the second easementat a significantly reduced cost of $1 million, as TomalesFarm & Dairy donated $1 million of the easements$2 million value. This donation was made possible in partby the increased tax incentives provided by the Pension

Act of 2006. The State Coastal Conservancy provided$750,000, with MALT donors contributing $250,000. Inaddition, MALT received a $15,000 grant for project costsfrom the California Council of Land Trusts.

With the protection of these properties we are pleasedto be preserving and enhancing the historic agriculturalcharacter of the Tomales community, says Ted Hall of

Tomales Farm & Dairy. While we still have many hurdles to overcome, our dream is to make cheese from milk produced by seasonally grass-fed cows. Currently, the ranch is the home for Tomales Farm & Dairys herd of Shorthorn cattle part of the year.

Co-owner John Williams also owns Frogs Leap Winery, a Rutherford-based family operation that is solar-powered andorganically farmed. The Hall familys Long Meadow Ranch is an organic-farming operation located above the Napa Valley in theMayacamas Mountains, where it produces wines, extra virgin olive oil, grass-fed beef, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables.

e ugene p onCia r anChThe 750-acre Eugene (Gene) Poncia Ranch has been in the family since 1915, and was operated as a dairy until 1991. The ranch,

visible from Highway 1, borders Walker Creek, a major tributary to Tomales Bay. The propertys expansive views extend across TomalesBay to the Pacific Ocean.

Gene Poncia lives on the ranch and raises beef and dairy replacement cattle with help from his son. He currently has125 cattle. Gene owned only a 50 percent interest in the ranchon which he was born and wished to pass the property on tohis son. The income from MALTs easement purchaseenabled him to acquire the propertys full interest and ensuresthe agricultural future of the ranch. Four generations of Poncias have lived here, says Gene. My great-grandparentslived in West Marin and my great-grandfather milked cows at

the Pozzi Ranch. My grandparents bought this ranch and thefamily has lived and worked here ever since. The agreement with MALT keeps the ranch in the family.

MALT raised $2 million to preserve the historic ranch.The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the StateCoastal Conservancy both contributed $750,000, and theUSDA Natural Resources Conservation Services Farmand Ranchlands Protection Program provided $500,000for the purchase. This federal program protects farms having prime and unique soils or historical or archaeological resources.

This unprecedented level of support by state and federal agencies and private philanthropy represents an outstandingcommitment to the conservation of important agricultural lands and a high degree of confidence in MALTs ability to work withlandowners to preserve Marin County farmland, says MALT Executive Director Bob Berner.

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 t2

t hree FarmsC o n t i n u e d F r o m p a g e o n e

JeffStump

Left to right: Dominic Poncia and his parents Vickie and Gene Poncia

View of the Tomales Farm and Dairy


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MALTs annual Ranches and Rolling Hills landscape art show and sale takes place on Saturday, May 17, andSunday, May 18, at Druids Hall on the Village Square in Nicasio. The show will feature more than 250 paintings,prints, and photographs of natural and working landscapes in West Marin. The images depict farms protected by MALT easements, as well as ranches located on other private farmlands and in Point Reyes National Seashoreallof them reflecting the human and natural history that make West Marin such a special and beloved place. Now inits eleventh year, this significant West Coast exhibit will include the work of 39 outstanding artists.

The Ranches & Rolling Hills exhibit is open to the public at no charge from 2 to 5 p.m . on Saturday, May 17, andfrom 10 a .m . to 4 p.m . on Sunday, May 18. The special preview luncheon that precedes the public show sells outquickly, so watch your mailbox for the March announcement. p amela Bie

For the rst time ever, you can keep alive the art and vision you experienceat Marin Agricultural Land Trusts annual landscape art show and sale with thepurchase of a beautiful new book, Ranches & Rolling Hills: Art of West MarinA Landin Trust. This elegant hardcover publication is a 160-page, large-format book from

Windgate Press of Sausalito, and features more than 135 full-color works of artselected from the Ranches & Rolling Hills art shows decade-long history. Authored by MALT Associate Director Elisabeth Ptak, the book also features essays by Jean Stern,Executive Director of the Irvine Museum, and by the shows co-founder and curator,

Michael Whitt. Their essays add context to the stunning visuals of this collectable edition.Ranches & Rolling Hills: Art of West MarinA Land in Trust is a compilation of fine contemporary artworks in the great tradition

of the plein-air artwork of the mid-nineteenth century, created during the period of American westward expansion. The imagesalso stand on their own as representative of an emerging movementthe artist as conservationist.

What the art of Ranches & Rolling Hills artists and others who are part of this conservation movement reminds us, writesPtak, is that something valuable can be preserved, not just as a painting, not just as a memory, but also in real lifeif we set ourminds, our hands, and our hearts to it.

For information and to preorder Ranches & Rolling Hills: Art of West MarinA Land in Trust, visit malt.org or phone 415-663-1158Proceeds from both the art and book sales benefit MALTs farmland preservation program. p amela Biery

Ranches & Rolling Hills l andsCape a rt s how & s ale

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

For three days during early March, the small coastal town of PointReyes Station (population 818) will be the center of one of the mostexceptional literary conferences ever held in Northern California.

Sixteen writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry books; newspaper and magazine journalists; and literary agents, attorneys,book critics, and academics from the West Coast, New York City, and Canada will gather in Point Reyes Station from

March 7 to 9 to talk about Wallace Stegner and his concept of the geography of hope.MALT is one of the sponsors of the conference, and our new book, Ranches & Rolling Hills: Art of West MarinA Land in Trust, will be on sale there for the first time. It will be spotlightedalong with the just-published Selected Letters of Wallace Stegner edited by Page Stegner, theupcoming Wallace Stegner and the American West by Philip Fradkin, and the West Marin Review, a new literary journal focusing on coastal Marin and featuring local writers.

Robert Hass, two-term U.S. Poet Laureate and professor of English at the University of California, Berkeley, is the conferencechair. Geography of Hope covers Stegners career and extends to the present, including a discussion of Stegners writing legacies. Artinstallations will reflect Stegner themes and locally grown food will be featured at the various dining events. Book signings and fieldtrips to family farms, wilderness areas, and wetlands in the Point Reyes area are scheduled throughout the weekend.

Proceeds from the conference will help fund a Writer-in-the-Schools program in West Marin. For details on the Geography of Hope conference, visit www.ptreyesbooks.com, email [email protected] , or phone 415-663-1003. p amela Bier

g eography oF h ope ConFerenCe e xplores s tegner and p laCe

R anches & R olling h ills : a Rt of W est M aRin a l and in t Rust

n ew Book CeleBrates Farmland , p reservation , and a rt

W atch for neWs about our book launch party coming up in a pril !
http://www.malt.org/shop/merchandise.htmlhttp://www.ptreyesbooks.com/mailto:%[email protected]://www.malt.org/shop/merchandise.htmlmailto:%[email protected]://www.ptreyesbooks.com/


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For an organization that is all about preserving land, being green is only logical. After working toward this goal, its officialwe now have our green business certificationfrom the Marin County Board of Supervisors. Along with thir ty-four other Marin County

businesses, MALT became certified at a Green Business Recognition Ceremony onDecember 4.

Certification is administered by the Green Business Program, a voluntary partnershipamong business leaders, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The programrecognizes and promotes businesses and other organizations that demonstrate continuouscompliance with applicable environmental regulations. Compliance involves conservationof energy, water, and other materials, as well as implementation of sound environmentalpractices that prevent pollution and waste generation, and the sharing of environmentally responsible practices with other businesses in our community.

Last fall, MALT began the certification process with the Bay Area Green BusinessProgram and worked with Dana Armanino, coordinator for the Marin County Community Development Agency. As a firststep, we filled out a lengthy questionnaire about overall office practices, especially those related to conservation, resourcemanagement, and energy. While answering the questions, we realized that MALT already practices environmental responsi-bility that is both employee- and organization-driven. Some of us drive hybrids and bio-diesels, some of us carpool, and a few even telecommute. We use plates and mugs instead of paper or Styrofoam dishes and recycle all we can.

After Dana Armanino visited MALTs office and reviewed our policies, practices, and plans for continued energy savings,she recommended that we become green-certified upon completion of an energy audit with PG&E. We finalized ourcertification after this audit.

Mia Pelletier, MALT Volunteer Program Manager says, One of the main reasons I wanted to work for MALT was so Icould work for something that was beneficial to the environment. Being able to grow our food locally, rather than importingit from hundreds or even thousands of miles away clearly is an important step toward becoming more sustainable, and MALTis helping to make that happen. Now, I am so glad that we are taking steps here at the office to become greener as well.

We are now researching the possibility of converting our two buildings to solar power. With guidance from Point ReyesStations Dance Palace Community Center, which recently converted to solar, we hope to locate funding sources, as well asincentive programs, that make it economically feasible for nonprofit organizations like MALT to install a solar system.In addition, MALT staff will continue to find ways to do its part in reducing global climate change, and will study how agriculture affects global climate change. Hope r atner

malt g ets g reen l ight

Art Rogers too this extraordinary photo at theMALT annual holiday party, which the ever-inventive MALT staff turned into an amazing80th birthday celebration for me. The wide arrayof friends and colleagues from near and far sangsongs for the occasion, made speeches, toldstories, and presented a giant birthday ca e. Per-haps best of all, as seen in the front row, several

former MALT board members gathered withtheir children, who are now second-generationboardmembers. Ellen Strauss spirit was ever-present and it was certainly a lifetime high forme. Than you so much one and all for a veryspecial party.

p hyllis FaBer , malt C o -Founder

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 t4

2007ArtRogers/PointReyes

Marin Agricultural Land Trust News is publishequarterly by Marin Agricultural Land Trust, a nonprotax-exempt organization.

m arin a griCultural l and t ruPO Box 809, Point Reyes Stat

California 94956-08


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CALIFORNIAS ARTISANCHEESE FESTIVALSheraton Hotel, PetalumaFriday, March 7 to Monday, March 10Marin cheeses produced on land protected by MALT will be featured at this gourmet event.Meet celebrated cheesemakers and sample

artisan cheeses. T he opening panel, emceedby Michael Krasny, features Jill GiacominiBasch of Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese. Also:cooking demos, cheesemaking classes, andspecial cheese-country tours. MA LT benefitsfrom event tickets sales. For more informationand to register, visit www.artisancheesefestival.com or phone 707-283-2890.

FOOD AND FARMINGON THE URBAN EDGE:o ld and n ew a griCulture in t omalesSunday, March 16Tomales has a long farming history and is also acenter for new agricultural businesses. Start witha tour of the Tomales History Center, then meet

at Town Hall to carpool for a driving tour beforereturning for presentations on new agriculturaloperations and local history. Hear from: Ted Hall,co-owner of Tomales Farm & Dairy; Dr. TamaraHicks, co-owner of Toluma Goat Dairy; and

Jennifer Donaldson of Crayne Ranch. Learn aboutnew MALT easements on more than 1,200 acresin Tomales. Tea & snacks provided.T ime : 1 p.m . Tomales History Center tour

2 p.m . driving tour3 5 p.m . Town Hall presentation

W here To m eeT : Tomales Regional History Center,26701 Hwy 1; Tomales Town Hall, 27150 Hwy 1,Tomales C osT : Free

STEWART RANCH WILDFLOWESaturday, April 5Hike up the Bolinas Ridge through fields of wild-flowers. The Stewart/Truttman Ranch is locatedin the Point Reyes National Seashore and GoldenGate National Recreation Area and is renownedfor its certified Black Angus herd. Joanne Stewarand her daughter Amanda run the beef operationas well as raise horses and organic chickens. Hike

with Amanda on the Truttman Ranch, leased by the Stewart family. MALT founder, board member,and naturalist Phyllis Faber will be along to helpidentify wildflowers and native grasses.T ime : 10 a .m . 2 p.m .

W here To m eeT : Truttman Ranch, Hwy 1 (1.2miles south of Olema, turn left at corrals)W hat to B ring : Water, hiking shoes, picnic lunchlayered clothing, binoculars, field guides, cameraD egree of D ifficulty :C osT : $25 / $30 non-member

Due to ongoing concerns about Foot-and-MouthDisease, we as that individuals who have visited farmsoutside the U.S.A. up to 10 days prior to events notparticipate in farm tours. Weather can change quic lyin West Marin. Bring a jac et for warmth, a hat for pro-tection from the sun, and a daypac for food & drin s.m . Please chec with malt . For more detailed directionsto a Hi es & Tours meeting place, phone 415-663-1158,Monday Friday, 9 a .m .5 p.m . or visit www.malt.org

e :Flat or very little slope in adistance of less than one mile

m :Varied, mild terrain forone ve miles

d f :Steep terrain and/or overve miles

t :Activities appropriatefor a family

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I would li e to sign up for the following MALT Hi es & Tours:Hi es & Tours title # people date cost

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Registration is by mail only. Space is limited, and tours ll up at different rates. Please enclose a separatechec for each tour, or charge tours & memberships to your VISA, Mastercard, or American Express. Fullpayment is required, and all participants must preregister ve days prior to event. Con rmations will besent. Refunds only if MALT cancels a tour or if tour is already full. Please be prompt. Events are timedaround the farms or dairys wor schedules. Hi es & Tours are on private property; you have permissionto enter for the MALT event .You may not re-enter at another time. ab

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M A R I N A G R I C U LT U R A L L A N D T R U S THIkES & TOURS Registration Forpreregistration required unless otherwise noted

Artists are out painting the West Marin landscape in preparation for MALTs Ranches & Rolling Hills artshow and sale. To celebrate the publication of the art boo inspired by the show, Ranches & Rolling Hills: Art of West MarinA Land in Trust, we are offering a varied selection of art activities and classes on the farms for adults and children. Our Food and Farming onthe Urban Edge tal series continues, and we have MALTs rst-ever coo ing class on the farm. Yummy!

MALT HIkES & TOURS & TALkS SPRING2008

m arin a gricultur al l and t rustPost Of ce Box 809 Point Reyes Station, California 94956 415-663-1158 hi [email protected] .
http://www.artisancheesefestival.com/http://www.malt.org/hp/hikestours.htmlhttp://www.malt.org/hp/hikestours.htmlhttp://www.malt.org/http://www.artisancheesefestival.com/http://www.malt.org/http://www.malt.org/hp/hikestours.html


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HOG ISLAND OYSTER CO. &STRAUS DAIRYThursdays, April 17 and May 22

Join local oystermen for a tour of their oyster-growing operation. Taste oysters grown inTomales Bay while enjoying great views. Eat yourown lunch or order one from Tomales Bay Foods.

After lunch, carpool to the Straus Dairy where Albert Straus wi ll talk about keeping the dairysorganic feed free of genetically modified corn.Learn about the methane digester and other

energy-producing and -conserving techniquesused at the ranch, and watch cows being milked.T ime : 11 a .m . 3 p.m .

W here To m eeT : Hog Island Oyster Co., 20215Hwy 1, Marshall (10 miles north of Point ReyesStation). Carpool to dairy.W hat to B ring : Water, picnic lunch, shoes thatcan get dirty, layered clothingD egree of D ifficulty :C osT : $30 / $35 non-members ($20 additionalfor local-foods lunch.)

McEVOY OLIVE RANCHFriday, April 18Tour Nan McEvoys 550-acre organic oliveranch located in a spectacular valley near theMarin-Sonoma border. Walk through floweringorchards and learn how olives are grown. Tourthe olive-pressing facility and sample the oil. If

you like, purchase a variety of products made with this wonderful farm product.

T ime : 10 a .m . noon (please arrive on time.) W here To m eeT : McEvoy Ranch, 5 miles southof Petaluma at 5935 Red Hill Rd. (aka D St. orPoint Reyes-Petaluma Rd.)W hat to B ring : Water, walking shoesD egree of D ifficulty :C osT : $15 / $20 non-member

ART FROM THE EARTH:SPIRIT ROCkpastels with a rtist a ne Carla r ovettaSaturday, April 26Learn to make chalk pastels from the earthbeneath your feet. Ane will demonstrate how Leonardo da Vinci made his pastellos, then you

will grind the dir t and make your own chalk. Us-ing Anes chalks and prepared paper, participatein a pastel art lesson and capture the beauty of nature at Spirit Rock. Ane is an art ist, zoologist,and storyteller specializing in handmade andnon-toxic art materials. She has participated in

MALTs Ranches & Rolling Hills art show formany years.T ime : 9:30 a .m . 2:30 p.m .

W here To m eeT : Spirit Rock Meditation Center,5000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, WoodacreW hat to B ring : Water, picnic lunch, layeredclothing, sun protection, folding chair, drawingtablet (min. size 12 x 18 to also be used asdrawing board)C osT : $65 / $75 non-members

WINDRUSH FARM FAMILY DAYSaturday, May 3Bring your children for a farm visit to see baby animals bounding over spring-green fields. Feedthe lambs, llamas,cows, and goats.Hunt for naturestreasures, createa work of art, and

walk around thepond to hunt fortadpoles. MimiLuebermannbreeds and raises a variety of sheep. Shell show us various fleeces and wool products and teachus how to card and spin wool. Bring a picnic andenjoy lunch in the garden or fields.T ime : 10:30 a .m . 1:30 p.m .

W here To m eeT : 2263 Chileno Valley Rd., justsouth of the Sonoma border. From Marin, takeHicks 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 travel3.6 miles to the farm.W hat to B ring : Water, picnic lunch, shoes thatcan get dirty and wetD egree of D ifficulty :C osT : $15 / $20 non-members ($10 for children,$55 for a family of four or more)

RAISER/BACON & PONCIARANCHESSunday, May 11

Join Naturalist David Wimpfheimer for a longhike along Walker Creek on two ranch propertiesprotected by MALT easements. Learn about theriparian habitat and identify a variety of birds.There have been sightings of tropical migrantslike Wilsons warbler, black-headed grosbeak, and

warbling vireo. On the top of the ridge enjoy the views of Tomales Bay and learn about the beef operations from third-generation ranchers MikeCrayne and Gene Poncia.

T ime : 10 a .m . 2 p.m . W here To m eeT : Keys Creek Public Fishing Access, Hwy 1 (15.5 miles north of Point ReyesStation and 1.5 miles south of Tomales)W hat to B ring : Water, picnic lunch, hikingboots that can get dirty and wet, layered clothingbinoculars, field guides, cameraD egree of D ifficulty : C osT : $25 / $ 35 non-members

FARM-FRESH COOkING

COW TRACk RANCHSaturday, May 31Thanks to Environmental Forum volunteers

we are starting to offer a series of cookingclasses using seasonal produce and productsfrom Marin, a delicious way to support Marinagriculture. Our first class wi ll feature Thai chef Usanee of Maikham Catering. She was bornin Thailand and has been cooking in the U.S.for 20 years, specializing in the imaginative useof fresh local ingredients to create a Thai tasteexperience. Our menu could include spring rolls

with a salad of spring greens and broccoli pickedfrom Liz Daniels garden at Cow Track Ranch,chili-spiced oysters, curries, and local beer,

followed by a handmade dessert.T ime : 10 a .m . 3 p.m . W here To m eeT : Cow Track Ranch, Nicasio (1mile north of Nicasio Square; turn r ight just aftercounty corporation yard; continue on dirt road1.25 miles, bearing right through iron gate. Park near barns.)W hat to B ring : Chef knife, paring knife,cutting board, apronC osT : $95 / $110 non-members

PAINTING ON THE FARMwith a rtist t im h ornSaturday, June 7 & Sunday, June 8This two-day workshop, open to beginning andintermediate students, will be held at a scenicranch in West Marin. Tim has painted for MALTsRanches & Rolling Hills art show since 2004.Outdoor classes include demonstrations anddiscussions on materials, scene selection, com-position, value, and brushwork, with critiquesand individual attention throughout the day. Formore information, visit www.horndesign.com.T ime : 9 a .m . 4 p.m .

W here To m eeT & W hat to B ring : Directioto farm and list of suggested supplies and colorpalette will be sent upon receipt of payment.C osT : $240 / $280 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 THIkES & TOURS Registration Form

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c u t h e r e

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Mail completed registration form with chec s made payable to MALT.

Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Post Of ce Box 809, Point Reyes Station, California 94956 . 415-663-1158p .

name

street

city state zip

telephone email

card# expiration date

signature

Id also li e to become a MALT member.$250 Sponsor $100 Associate $75 Supporter $40 Individual Other $Separate chec s for each tour are enclosed. Charge my credit card t e $

ab .

Medicine Man by Tim Horn from Ranches & Rolling Hills: Art of West MarinA Land in Trust


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Our website is a terrific resource. Besides informing you about MALTand our mission, the site also includes recent press articles, stories about

our easements, copies of our newsletters, and historical and current information about the importance of saving farmland. Additionally, recent upgrades to the website make it easier than ever to make donations, explore planned giving opportunities,and purchase MALT merchandise.

One click on Become a Member/Renew/Donate or How to Help takes you to our improved donation page. Here you can give agift of a MALT membership to yourself or to a friend, renew your membership, or make additional donations. Should you wishto explore the various planned giving opportunities, an additional click in the How to Help section on Planned Giving takes you a page that provides a wealth of information.

Need a MALT t-shirt, hat, tote bag, or box of note cards, or wish to preorder the exciting new art book, Ranches & Rolling Hills: Art of West MarinA Land in Trust ? Visit the MALT Shop section! Here you will find all the MALT merchandise available for sale.Orders are fulfilled within a week. All online transactions on our site are secure.

Of course, the option to contact us personally is always available to you. Contact numbers are provided on the website. A future upgrade to our site will include online registration for our popular Hikes & Tours program. Stay tuned! Cindy Jordan

In the last six months, Marin Agricultural Land Trust received twounusual gifts from donors under 10-years-old. These two young menAlex Hoskins-Frame and Adam Friedmanasked their friends to give donations to

MALT in lieu of giving them birthday presents.Because of their young age, we were especially touched by their generosity, as

well as their leadership. By encouraging their friends to donate to MALT, Adamand Alex helped create awareness of both our organization and the importanceof protecting family farms in West Marin.

Alex and Adams parents have often brought their children to West Marin toexperience the natural world and see working farmland. Through this exposure,the boys became aware of threats to the West Marin landscape they love, andthis inspired their generosity.

Their spontaneous gifts encourage us all to share our wealth and help pre-serve what we care about most. Thank you, Adam and Alex and all your friends,for your gifts!

MALT regularly offers kid-f riendly tours, as well as events specifically designed for children, like Windrush Farm Family Day, our Ice Cream Social, and Harvest Day at the Farm. Please check our websiteand this newsletter for events for children and families.

a n ew g eneration oF p hilanthropy

Your gift to MALT is not only appreciated by all of us here, but it will also appreciate by helping to preserve thisspectacular rural landscape that we all treasure in West Marin. At the end of 2007, we were impressed and touched by the gifts we received, many accompanied by words of encouragement to keep up our good work of preserving MarinCounty farmland. Zuni Restaurant in San Francisco wrote: Please accept our heartfelt gratitude for all the hard

work that MALT does to keep the Bay Area in the forefront of the environmental leadership in our country. At Zuni, we are very fortunate to be first-hand recipients of your efforts by having access to exceptional produce and wild andfarmed animals.

MALT couldnt achieve so much without the active support of our donors, many of whom have been giving for10 years or more. Your gift not only helps to protect the landscape from development in the future, it allows uscontinued access to fresh, local food in our grocery stores and farmers markets throughout the Bay Area.

As you drive through West Marin, you can know that your MALT membership has helped to preserve thisbeautiful place now, and for future generations. Thank you! r ita C ummings

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

t hank y ou For g iving

a t malt.org , i nFormationis o ne C liCk a way

Alex Hoskins-Frame presents donations to MALTs Developme

Director Rita Cummin
http://www.malt.org/http://www.malt.org/


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m a r i n a g r i c u lt u r a l l a n d t r u s tBox 809 Point Reyes Station California 94956

R E T U R N S E RV 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 a r m l a n d

Nonpro t OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDMarin

AgriculturaLand Trust

MA LT BOARD OF DIRECTORSLoren Poncia, Chair Rancher, TomalLynn Giacomini Stray, Vice-Chair Farmste

Cheese Producer, Point Reyes StatioAnne Flemming, Secretary Commun

Volunteer, RoBob Bingham Treasurer Investment Advis

San FrancisSue Conley Artisan Cheesema er, Point Reyes StatiSam Dolcini Rancher, West MarPhyllis Faber Biologist, Mill ValTony Gilbert Lawyer, Marsh

Joe Gillach Businessman, San FrancisStan Gillmar Attorney, InvernDominic Grossi Dairyman, NovaSteve kinsey Marin County Supervisor, 4th DistriRic Lafranchi Businessman, San Anselm

Jim McIsaac Rancher, NovaDoug Moore Businessman, San FrancisSabin Phelps Conservationist, Stinson BeaBill Zimmerman Rancher, MarshSTAFFRobert Berner, Executive Directorkelly Brown, Development AssociateRita Cummings, Development DirectorChristine Harvey, Membership & Database ManagerAllison kiehl, Stewardship Associatekatie Medwar, Development AssociateMia Pelletier, Volunteer Program ManagerBarbara Petty, Director of Administration & FinanceElisabeth Pta , Associate Director/Director of OutreaHope Ratner, Of ce Manager Nic Rohan, Accounting & Bene ts Administrator

Jeff Stump, Easement Program DirectorMatt Wac er, Stewardship Director Constance Washburn, Education Director

m k b malt c visa m a ex

M arin a gricultural l and t rustPost Of ce Box 809Point Reyes Station, California 94956415 663 [email protected]

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name

street

city state zip

telephone: email

card # exp. date

signaturePrinted on rec ycled paper,containing30% post-consumer waste.

Ranches & Rolling Hills: Art of West MarinA Land in Trust Boo s @ $50 = published by Windgate Press of Sausalito 160 pages, 135 full-color art plates

by Elisabeth Pta with essays by Jean Stern and Michael WhittShipping/Handling: Add $15.00 per boo

Total

EveryMALT Shop purchase increases awareness of ourfarmland conservation efforts & raises funds for MALT.

Shop for this &other i tems at

malt.org

The MALT ShopDuring the era of Americas westward expansion in themid-nineteenth century, countless artists were inspiredby the luminous beauty of California. Prominent paintersvisited the state at that time and illustrated both thenative beauty and, later, the agrarian life that becamean integral part of the landscape. Ranches & Rolling Hills: Art of West MarinA Land in Trust is a collectionof contemporary artwor s in that tradition, but theimages also stand on their own as representative of anew tradition, that of the artist as conservationist.

m arin a gricultural l and t rust iprivate, member-supported, nonpro t organization created in 1980 by a coalition of rancherand environmentalists to permanently preservMarin County farmlands for agricultural use. M Aeliminates the development potential on farmlanthrough the acquisition of conservation easementin voluntary transactions with landowners. MAL

also encourages public policies which support anenhance agriculture.
http://www.malt.org/http://www.malt.org/shop/merchandise.htmlhttp://www.malt.org/shop/merchandise.htmlhttp://www.malt.org/shop/merchandise.htmlhttp://www.malt.org/

spring 2008 marin agricultural land trust newsletter

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