The Threat
Development
The beauty of West Marin increasingly attracts non-agricultural buyers who are eager and able to purchase farm properties for luxury home sites and non-agricultural uses.
High Land Prices
Because of the proximity of metropolitan San Francisco and its population of six million people, land prices have escalated far above values based on farm incomes. Ranching families often can't afford to transfer property to the next generation. Young farmers find it nearly impossible to buy land to get started.
Loss of Critical Mass
For agriculture to remain viable there must be a critical mass of farms to sustain the infrastructure (equipment, suppliers, veterinarians, machinery, etc.). Each time a ranch or farm is sold for non-agricultural uses, the viability of every other agricultural operation in West Marin is threatened.
Farming on the Edge
The uncertainty that accompanies farming on the edge of a sprawling urban region can lead to declining agricultural investment, productivity, and income.
Farmland Sales
Most families want to continue in agriculture and pass the land on to the next generation. High land prices eventually force every family to deal with the land not only as a natural resource, but also as a financial asset, whether to resolve inheritance issues or simply to deal with a buyout offer too good to refuse.
If you value this land and Marin's rural heritage, if you share our belief that the preservation of family farms and agricultural lands for local food production, open space, and wildlife habitat benefits all of us, you can play a vital role in safeguarding these irreplaceable resources. Please tour this website or call us at 415-663-1158 for more information.