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Marin
Agricultural Land Trust Summer 2005 Jacobsen Ranch Protected
The 987-acre property is an important part of the Walker Creek watershed. Nearly one and one half miles of Chileno Creek meander through the thriving pasturelands, providing habitat for salmon and steelhead and a host of migratory birds. Because of its picturesque setting and its proximity to Petaluma, the acreage might easily have been targeted by a developer for estate homes or subdivision. Ruthelma’s late husband, Elray Jacobsen, learned about cattle from his father, who immigrated from Denmark and bought ranch property in Petaluma. After high school and a stint in the service, Elray married Ruthelma Peterson in 1941. They raised two daughters and a son while Elray worked in partnership with his father and brother. He struck out on his own in 1968 when he and Ruthelma traded their 105-acre Petaluma ranch for a 987-acre ranch in Chileno Valley. “We went from adobe flats to almost 1,000 beautiful acres,” she recalls. “We just fell in love with this place.” Elray eventually became one of the biggest cattle dealers in northern California, buying steer calves from dairies and reselling them to meat producers. After his death in 1992, Ruthelma wanted to continue the business, but found she had a lot to learn. “After Elray was gone, I was on my own.” With the help of her grandson John Goldbeck, she attended sales, bought cows and bulls, and ran the operation for another 13 years until her retirement in 2003. “John’s been helping out here since he was 12 years old. I don’t know what I would have done without him. He’s my right-hand man.” Like his grandfather, and his great-grandfather, John is a cattleman through and through. He learned the skill of brokering commercial beef cows from them, and developed a reputation for quality by concentrating on the best of the breed. Today the ranch he manages for his grandmother is known both for its productive pastureland and for his own J.G. Angus purebred bull operation. “I’m taking this ranch to a whole new level,” he says. “I use the best growth bulls in the breed so commercial cattlemen can get bigger and higher quality calves. I use the best cow families so these producers can raise exceptional replacement females out of my herd bulls. This, in turn, will improve their herd’s genetic quality and will command a premium on animals they market. That’s my job as a seed stock producer.” MALT paid the appraised value of $2,100,000 for the easement. The Department of Conservation provided a grant of $1,000,000. “This agreement is another great example of partnerships that help to preserve and protect productive farmland, precious habitat and open space,” said Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman. “Stewardship in the public trust and a commitment to work together for the good of our farms, families, and communities have allowed us to establish a Jacobsen Ranch legacy that will inspire pride for generations to come.” The remainder of the funds were raised from MALT members and supporters. Thanks to the sale of the easement, Ruthelma and John have begun repairing fences and buildings, upgrading barns, and making other improvements to paddocks and pastures. They’re working with Marin Resource Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to control erosion by fencing the creek and restoring the riparian areas. John currently runs 200 registered cows and plans to expand to 240 animals next year. “He’s talented as all get-out,”
Ruthelma says of her grandson. “I’m just so lucky that
he cares. He’s going to carry on for his grandfather.” Land
Trust Council Much of the work of protecting the extraordinary diversity of California’s farmlands, natural areas, and open space is being done by the more than 200 land trust working in local communities throughout the state. These organizations, which have protected more than two million acres, vary in size, capability, and focus from small, all-volunteer groups to strong, professionally-staffed organizations like MALT. Influencing state legislative and agency processes and decisions is difficult for regional land trusts. But all are increasingly affected by state regulations, actions, and policies. In addition, a significant amount of the funding for local land conservation comes from bond measures that are created and designed in Sacramento (e.g., Propositions 12 in 2000 and 40 in 2002 which were sources of funds for several recent MALT easements). In April, 2003, a steering committee was established to begin a statewide assessment of land trust needs. Findings and recommendations were presented to the land trust community in October, 2003. The chief recommendation was to consider forming an organization to advance funding and supportive policies at the state level. A planning process was begun to consider the purposes, program, structure, and financial resources for such an organization. This process culminated in late 2004 with the formation of the California Council of Land Trusts (CCLT). CCLT is a membership organization, governed by a board of fifteen,
six of whom are appointed by regional councils to ensure representation
from the various regions of the state. The overall purpose of the
new collaboration is to support and help build a strong, effective
land trust community able to protect important California landscapes.
CCLT has three specific goals: to help develop and shape financial
resources to meet the range of land trust needs; to build and maintain
a positive policy context in which land trusts operate; and to improve
communications between land trusts and about land trusts with state
elected officials, public agencies, and other interest groups. MALT Executive Director Bob Berner served on the CCLT Steering
Committee, and he was recently elected President of its charter
Board of Directors. In that capacity, he moderated the inaugural
annual conference held in Sacramento in February. Ranches
& Rolling Hills Showing Nature’s beauty This year’s Ranches & Rolling Hills landscape art show marks Marin Agricultural Land Trust’s 2 5th anniversary and the100th birthday of artist Ray Strong whose love of Marin led to his co-founding the show in 1998. It is, therefore, a good year for agriculture and for what has been a vanishing landscape. In the late 19 7 0s, it became apparent that A-6 0 zoning ,though a move in the right direction, was insufficient to preserve agriculture in West Marin. Two women, rancher Ellen Straus and environmentalist Phyllis Faber, put their heads together and came up with an idea for making the future of agriculture here more secure. Twenty-five years ago that idea became MALT. Now protecting more than 37,000 acres, MALT’s agricultural land conservation easements have preserved 56 family farms and ranches. There is more work to be done, but this is a tremendous start. Ray Strong, who turned 100 on January 3rd of this year, got his direction and inspiration as a landscape painter on his family's raspberry farm in Oregon under the shining peak of Mt. Hood. In Marin, Black Mountain — I like to think of it as a great peak bowed down—became the focus of Ray’s paintings. It is located on the Nobmann Ranch and protected by a MALT easement. “We are thrilled that one of Ray’s depictions of the mountain is featured as part of the new Ranches &Rolling Hills Collection of greeting cards and will be available for individual sale at the art show,” announced Elisabeth Ptak, coordinator of the art show. After painting the ranches in West Marin for years, Ray built his home in Mill Valley around 1950, and taught at College of Marin. He moved to Santa Barbara in 1960 to paint the dioramas for the Museum of Natural History’s Bird Hall and has resided there since. Marin artists in this year’s show are: Ralph and Martha Borge; Willard Dixon; Thomas Wood; Susan Hall; Rick Lyttle; Russell Chatham; Christin Coy; Zenaida Mott; Suzanne Siminger; Wendy Schwartz; Thomas Soltesz; Gary Smith; Ane Rovetta; Jon Francis; Timothy Horn; Patricia Wallis; Dana Hooper; Dan Cooper. New to the show this year are Dan McCormick and photographer Richard Blair. McCormick, who attended UC Berkeley and Santa Barbara, has been very active in local salmon restoration projects. Blair is well known as a photographer and producer with his wife of the book Point Reyes Visions. Santa Barbara Oak Group artists participating in the show are: Ray; Arturo Tello, hanger of the show along with Glenna Hartman and Karen Gruszka; Larry Iwerks; Meredith Abbott; Whitney Abbott; John Iwerks; Michael Drury; Chris Chapman; Rick Schloss; Marcia Burtt; Skip Smith; Sarah Vedder; Michael Enriquez; William Dewey and Ward Walkup.The Oak Group was founded in 1986 by Ray and Arturo Tello to raise money through the sale of art for preservation of the environment. Many of the Marin artists are members of the BayWood Artists, which has a similar purpose, or work as individuals for the conservation of precious natural and cultural resources.—M. W.
 This year's art show also marks the launching of The Ranches & Rolling Hills Collection, a set of greeting cards featuring beautiful images of artwork from past shows. The cards, packaged in boxed sets of ten, will be available for sale at the art event. Weeds
Pose Threats to Ranchland & Open Space MALT and other planning and conservation organizations have been very successful protecting natural and agricultural lands from development and resource uses such as mining and logging. However, these are not the only threats to native flora and fauna and agricultural productivity. Weeds have been rapidly invading open lands of the west, degrading our ecosystems and productivity on a grand scale. California’s yellow star thistle infestation exploded from about 1,000,000 acres in 1970 to nearly 20,000,000 acres by 1999. The Department of Agriculture estimates 70,000,000 acres or more of public and private lands in the 11 western states are infested with weeds. Weeds that spread particularly well generally produce a lot of seed and are very good at extracting soil moisture. In addition, there are often no animals that will consume them or diseases that can limit their success. As weeds become dominant, native plant species diversity typically declines and changes in plant composition and hydrology in turn negatively impact wildlife and increase erosion potential. There’s a nature preserve in South Dakota that is no longer considered worth managing as native prairie because of an eruption of non-native species. Weeds have also been known to reduce livestock use on grazing land by as much as 90%. While Marin has not been impacted by weeds as severely as some areas, losing a significant portion of the grazing capacity of our landscape threatens both our pockets and our food supply. Livestock producers contribute over $34 million to Marin’s economy, and produce about 20% of the Bay Area’s milk supply. Aside from concerns for wildlife and livestock, any person perforated by a purple star thistle (say that three times fast!) or looking for wildflowers in vain under a dense carpet of inedible medusahead grass will tell you that weeds also diminish our enjoyment of the world around us. There will undoubtedly be a Third Annual Weed Awareness Day in Sacramento. In the meantime, hopefully, more people will become weed warriors. Mowing, hoeing, prescribed burns, well-managed grazing, and herbicides have all been used effectively to reduce weeds and enhance native species diversity in wild settings. The first step we can all take is to avoid planting and spreading noxious, invasive non-natives near our wild places. With attention and perseverance, agricultural productivity, native species (and my son) will continue to thrive. Tony Nelson, MALT’s Stewardship
Program Coordinator, this spring fulfilled the requirements to become
a Certified Rangeland Manager. The certification program is a service
provided by the California Section of the Society for Range Management
as a means for demonstrating the special expertise required to apply
scientific principles to the art and science of managing rangelands
and land grazed by livestock. Certification constitutes recognition
that educational, experience, and ethical standards adopted by the
CA-SRM for professional rangeland managers are met.
Ag Education in Marin Assessed
The survey, which queried some 15 organizations, suggested that MAEA could facilitate communication between agencies to assist with cooperative long term planning, fundraising, and public outreach. It found most agricultural education efforts are aimed at elementary schools with few opportunities for older students or adults. Funding and staffing for agriculture education is limited, the report said, and there is a general lack of understanding by the public of agriculture or agricultural issues. “Given these stark realities, some great work is being done by a few very dedicated educators,” Constance said, “such as MALT’s own Leah Smith who also directs the Marin Food Systems Project in addition to running our Volunteer Program.” An Educational Farm and Garden feasibility study was also launched at the spring meeting. Funding from the Marin Community Foundation, the County of Marin, and the Buck Institute for Education will underwrite research of potential sites and educational programs and determine the idea’s viability. “The possibilities are very exciting,” said Constance. For more information, visit www.malt.org. Being a MALT member means you value West Marin’s natural and working landscapes and the agricultural heritage that began here 150 years ago. Today MALT has 5,600 members—a number that increases each year as you help us spread the word about protecting the irreplaceable resources that make the western part of Marin County a national treasure. Some of the Bay Area's most highly acclaimed beef and dairy products and organic crops are produced on farmland protected by MALT conservation easements, which now total more than 35,000 acres on 55 family farms and ranches. Without your help, we could not have achieved so much, and Marin County would be a very different place. So whether you live in Marin as 70% of our members do, or whether you hail from San Francisco (10% of you), the East Bay (another 10%), or more far-flung locales (10%), we feel fortunate to have your support in this, our 25th year preserving Marin County farmland. Benefits of membership:
Each item listed translates to an investment in the future of agriculture and family farms in Marin County. Thank you for your generosity and support of MALT’s efforts—in this 25th year, and for the next 25 years!
On Wednesday, June 1, Marin County Pinot Noir producers will launch their newest vintages for the first time—together—in an inspired effort to preserve agricultural land in Marin County. Proceeds will benefit MALT. The limited production Marin County Pinot Noirs include some marquee names and some of California’s most promising new faces: Sean Thackrey; Pey-Marin Vineyards; Dutton-Goldfield; Vision Cellars; Niebaum Coppola; Stubbs Vineyard; Pt Reyes Vineyards; and Corda Winery. A wide selection of Marin cheeses and other tasty locally-produced foods will also be offered. The fundraising tasting & reception will be held from 5-8 PM at the historic Escalle Winery, 771 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur. Tickets are $25 per person and must be purchased in advance from Dutton-Goldfield Winery at www.duttongoldfield.com. Don’t delay – this fantastic event is sure to sell out quickly!
Since its founding, MALT has been guided by a Board of Directors of working ranchers and experts in the fields of business, law, and the environment. In fact, our by-laws require that half of our board members come from the agricultural community and half from other professions. It’s a formula that has proven successful over the years, and this spring the board welcomes two new members, one, a rancher, and the other, a marketing and management expert. Bill Zimmerman is part of a ranching family that first settled in Marin in the mid-19th century. He was raised on a ranch in Marshall where the family operated a dairy until 2000. At that time, they replaced it with a herd of beef cattle and another of dairy heifers. Three years later, Bill—who had helped operate the business for some 20 years—bought the 308-acre property from his parents. In addition to running the ranch business, he also works as manager of Dairyman’s Milling in Novato. He and his wife Sharon have three children. Joe Gillach, has been a MALT member and volunteer for more than seven years with a special interest in helping with outreach. He worked for a dozen years as a senior high tech marketing executive in Silicon Valley. Prior to that, he headed marketing projects ranging from new product introductions to sales force effectiveness to branding and awareness-raising campaigns for Fortune 500 companies. He is currently a partner in Ratel Investments, a real estate private equity firm that acquires, improves, and manages multi-family and commercial real estate assets on behalf of individuals, trusts, and institutions. He lives in San Francisco with his 5-year-old daughter.
Archived Newsletters Acrobat Reader is required in order to view PDF
documents. Year in Review
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A
handsome red barn stands surrounded by swaying grasses at a dogleg
in the road at the northern end of Chileno Valley. Bold black-and-white
lettering painted on the front of the barn reflects the proud past
of this ranch and also heralds its future. “The Jacobsen Ranch,”
owned since 1968 by Ruthelma Jacobsen, and “J.G. Angus,”
the purebred beef operation launched by her grandson John Goldbeck
in 2001, proclaim the shifting traditions at a ranch that has long
been known as one of the most productive in Marin County. This spring
Marin Agricultural Land Trust purchased an agricultural conservation
easement on the expansive ranchlands, permanently protecting them
for agriculture.