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Profiles in Preservation
Corda Ranch, Chileno Valley
1994
This fall MALT purchased a conservation easement on the 847 acre Corda Ranch. This acquisition brings the total of Marin County agricultural land preserved by MALT from development to 25,291 acres. As part of the transaction, the Corda Family generously donated a portion of the appraised value of the easement to MALT.
The ranch's agricultural significance and close proximity to the growing towns of Novato and Petaluma were determining factors in MALT's decision to purchase a conservation easement on the property.
Just three miles south of Petaluma, the Corda Ranch's location is considered pivotal in maintaining a strong agricultural presence in the area. Conversion of the property to non-agricultural uses could have an adverse effect on the 'critical mass' of the Marin County agricultural industry, and on the attitudes of other agricultural operators in the area about the future of agriculture in the region.
The Corda Ranch is used for grazing beef cattle and dairy heifers, and 160 acres are used to grow hay. Over the past three years, 50 acres of vineyard have been planted with six varieties of wine grapes. If the vineyard proves to produce high quality wine grapes, the land's potential productivity would be significantly increased. Depending on the success of the wine grapes, the Cordas plan to plant up to an additional 100 acres of grapes.
To see a timeline of MALT easements, download MALT's Land Preservation Report.
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