Press Release

Agricultural Leaders Join MALT Board of Directors

July 30, 2013

Pt. Reyes Station, Calif. – Today, Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) announces that Ralph Grossi, one of the nation’s most prominent advocates of farmland conservation, has been elected to MALT’s Board of Directors. Grossi contributed to the founding of MALT in 1980 and subsequently served as president of the national nonprofit American Farmland Trust for 23 years.

Grossi is a third generation Marin County rancher. He worked with MALT co-founders Phyllis Faber and Ellen Straus to form the agricultural land trust in 1980 and chaired its first Board of Directors. As president of the American Farmland Trust, Grossi built the organization into the country’s foremost advocate for farmland conservation.

“We welcome Ralph back to the Board,” says Board Chair Rick Lafranchi. “Ralph brings his invaluable local and national farmland preservation expertise, as well as significant public policy experience. We are fortunate to have someone of Ralph’s caliber serve as a director.”

Grossi’s election follows the election of ranchers Bill Barboni II and Sam Dolcini. Barboni, a fourth-generation rancher and local veterinarian, joined the Board in April. This is Barboni’s second term on the board. Barboni sells grass fed beef to Bay Area markets under the Hicks Valley Cattle Co. label.

Sam Dolcini, a fifth generation rancher, was elected to the Board in November 2012. This is his second term as a director. He is a rancher, agricultural recruiter and the current president of the Marin County Farm Bureau. He has done extensive advocacy work for local agriculture.

“MALT’s bylaws require that one half of its 18 member Board are agriculturalists,” says Lafranchi. “MALT is fortunate that it has such strong representatives of the agricultural community willing to devote their time and expertise as directors.”