What to Know About MALT and Marin’s Measure A

November 29, 2021

On June 7, 2022, Marin County voters approved the renewal of a one-quarter of one-percent sales tax that funds the protection, expansion, and preservation of open space, parks, and agricultural land — a continuing investment in a healthy Marin County for everyone.

For that immense support, we at the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) and our partners are truly grateful. We’re humbled that many people in Marin continue to believe in protecting our vital open spaces, parks and farmland.

Of the $14 million in projected annual revenue from this tax:

• 65% is dedicated to maintaining county parks and open space
• 15% supports city parks, open spaces and recreational programs
• And 20% is committed to the support of sustainable agriculture
  • 10% for the acquisition of agricultural conservation easements
  • 6% for a county wide grant program aimed at supporting innovative agricultural practices
  • 4% for the Marin Resource Conservation District’s land stewardship work

MEASURE A – IMPACT TO DATE

Since its passage in 2012, Measure A has allowed Marin County to invest $19.7 million in farmland preservation. With the support of the county’s Farmland Preservation Program (Measure A funding), our team here at MALT has protected 15 farms and ranches totaling more than 9,725 acres through the acquisition of agricultural conservation easements.  

Through the extraordinary efficiency of MALT’s public-private funding model, tax-deductible contributions are often matched 1:1 with Measure A funds, doubling the impact of MALT’s privately-raised revenue. 

To date, we have invested Measure A funding to protect:

• 37 miles of streams
• 4,591 acres of grassland
• 1,613 acres of forests
• 45 acres of wetlands
• Seven beef cattle operations and one dairy
• Five dairy replacement heifer grazing operations
• One pasture-raised egg operation
• Two row crop operations

Our mission to preserve Marin’s agricultural land for agricultural use began with our founders Ellen Straus and Phyllis Faber 42 years ago, long before the original Measure A sales tax was approved by Marin County voters. We intend to continue to build upon this legacy by finding the best way to be good stewards of both our donor’s support and this public funding.