Archived Year in Review

2000-2001 Year in Review

Dear Members and Friends:

Three years ago, Marin Agricultural Land Trust launched the most ambitious conservation initiative in its history. With the exhaustion of public funds committed to MALT's agricultural land preservation program, it was clear that our ability to preserve Marin's farmland in the future must depend primarily on contributions from members and individual donors. Their contributions not only would provide the principal support for our easement program, but also could be used to attract and match foundation and public agency grants.
In July, 1999, the Marin Community Foundation awarded MALT a $2.5 million challenge grant, for which we are deeply grateful, on condition that we raise $2 for each $1 from the Foundation. Thanks to the extraordinary and generous response of our members and supporters to our Campaign to Save Marin's Farmland, we have successfully raised the $5 million needed to meet the Foundation's challenge.

However, the successful completion of the Campaign is only the first phase of a long-term financial challenge. We want to be able to continue to offer Marin's farmers and ranchers the option of selling a conservation easement as an alternative to sale or development of their land. The fact that agricultural land values have risen 75% over the past few years makes increasing financial resources especially critical.

We must keep in mind the fact that agriculture and this spectacular agricultural landscape continue to exist here because of the enduring commitment of farming families to their land and operations. Without this determination, our efforts would be futile. This past year, two long-time ranching families ensured the agricultural future of their land by conveying conservation easements to MALT. The 198-acre Parks Ranch is owned by a family that has been ranching in Tomales since 1880. The owners of the 320-acre Jensen Ranch have been ranching in the Tomales area for five generations. MALT easements now permanently protect 30,000 acres on 45 Marin county ranches and farms from subdivision and non-agricultural development.

We have been particularly blessed over the past two years to have Ellen Straus, one of MALT's co-founders, lead the organization as Chair of our Board of Directors. Ellen's boundless energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to agriculture and MALT have been an inspiration to all of us, and this summer she was honored by the Points of Light Foundation as one of the Bay Area's top 25 volunteers. Thank you, Ellen.

We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our members and donors, whose support sustains and encourages us as we prepare to meet the challenges ahead. We look forward to your continued partnership in preserving the agricultural lands that are such a fundamental part of Marin's heart and soul.

Thank you,

Chris Kelly
Chair, Board of Directors

Robert Berner
Executive Director

The Year in Review is currently in PDF format, which you will need the Acrobat Reader® to view. If you already have the Reader, click here to download the Year in Review PDF.
Click on this button if you do not have the Acrobat Reader.

Back to Top

Home | Site Map | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy