Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) was the first
land trust in the United States to focus on farmland preservation.
Founded in 1980 by a coalition of ranchers and environmentalists
to preserve farmland in Marin County, California, MALT acquires
agricultural conservation easements on farmland in voluntary transactions
with landowners. MALT also encourages public policies that support
and enhance agriculture. It is a model for agricultural land preservation
efforts across the nation. MALT has so far permanently protected
more than 40,500 acres of land on 63 family farms and ranches.