Ranching Archives

cows trotting through a field, kicking up dust

Enhancing Marin’s Rangelands: Innovative Soil Amendment Strategies for Landowners

October 11, 2024

As ranchers and farmers know, healthy soil is the foundation of viable agriculture and resilient ecosystems. Here in Marin, one ranch, with the support of the CDFA and MALT, is experimenting with using soil amendments traditionally used in orchards and row crops – gypsum and lime – in a rangeland setting.

a view of rangeland with a hill rising in the background

Innovative Project Building Healthy Rangeland Soil at Hicks Canyon Ranch

December 13, 2023

As ranchers and farmers know, healthy soil is the foundation of viable agriculture and resilient ecosystems. Here in Marin, one ranch, with the support of the CDFA and MALT, is experimenting with using soil amendments traditionally used in orchards and row crops – gypsum and lime – in a rangeland setting.

Spanish goat grazing in West Marin - MALT

Marin Voice: Ranchers play important role in county’s fire-mitigation strategy

October 4, 2023

Stewarding agricultural land in Marin County with climate-beneficial practices is essential to addressing climate change and its effects, including greater fire risks. Learn more.

Chileno Valley Ranch: Balancing Family Ag and Environmental Stewardship

April 18, 2022

Through grit and a lot of love, Sally and Mike Gale have stewarded the Chileno Valley Ranch since 1993.

Want to Improve Your Spring Pastures?

February 18, 2022

Explore a behind-the-scenes look at how ranchers are improving their spring pastures in Marin County.

CAFF State Conference Features Online Workshops and In-Person Gatherings

January 7, 2022

Land access and land trusts. Ecological and climate-smart farming. Scaling up healthy soils practices. Farming through wildfire season. These topics — of vital importance to Marin County and other farming regions throughout the state — are just a sampling of the 50 workshops and forums on the agenda for the 2022 California Small Farm Conference,…

Together, We Turned 2021 Into a Successful Year for MALT

December 22, 2021

As 2021 comes to a close, we’d like to pause and celebrate all that we were able to accomplish together during this tumultuous year. More than ever, we’re laser focused on MALT’s mission, now in its fifth decade: protecting Marin’s agricultural land for agricultural use, forever.

Ranch Manager Spotlight: José (Lolo) Dolores Cortez of Barinaga Ranch

March 17, 2021

Meet José (Lolo) Dolores Cortez, Ranch Manager at MALT-protected Barinaga Ranch. For Lolo, managing the ranch is more than just work; it is what he loves to do and where he loves to be. Read on!

Ranch Manager Spotlight: Catlyn Gilman of Toluma Farms

March 8, 2021

Meet Catlyn Gilman, Ranch Manager at MALT-protected Toluma Farms. Catlyn’s deep and sustaining passion for agriculture grew from a love for farm animals. Learn more about her journey.

Introducing the Bay Area Ranchers Co-Op (BAR-C)

February 4, 2021

Marin and Sonoma meat producers take the supply chain into their own hands, creating the Bay Area Ranchers Co-Op (BAR-C).