Marin Allots $1.8M for Farm Easement Near Tomales

By Becky Wiegand, Manager, Digital Communications

July 13, 2022

A $1.8 million grant from Marin County will ensure that the 723-acre McDowell Ranch near Tomales will be preserved as agricultural land.

County supervisors unanimously approved the allocation Tuesday, with Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters absent. The money will be matched by $1.8 million provided by the Marin Agricultural Land Trust and used to purchase a conservation easement on the property. The land is owed by Kenneth and Clairette Wilson, who are in their 70s.

Under the easement, no subdivision of the property will be allowed and the land will be required to remain in active agricultural production. The ranch has been in production for more than 120 years already and is being operated as an organic, grass-fed beef cattle operation.