The Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) strongly opposes Measure J because of the negative impact it will have on family farms in Sonoma County and the ripple effect it will have on our vibrant food systems, the economy, and climate resilience across the North Bay including Marin County. MALT is a member of an agricultural community coalition that opposes Measure J and is urging Sonoma County residents to vote NO on Measure J.
Measure J is a controversial anti-ag measure that will be on the November 2024 Sonoma County ballot. Brought to the ballot by the Coalition to End Factory Farming, the measure aims to phase out medium- and large-sized concentrated animal farm operations, such as local dairies, chicken ranches, and egg producers within three years. But the scope of this legislation is misguided and, if passed, will have a detrimental effect on our regional economy, sustainable agriculture, and community’s well being.
MALT opposes Measure J not only because it could put many local Sonoma family ranches and farms out of business, but it will weaken agriculture production and food security in Marin and regionally. According to a Sonoma County Economic Development Board, the countywide economy could have agricultural losses upward of $259 million and an additional $38 million in spending throughout the region. Healthy agricultural systems extend beyond county lines and so we need to protect each part of this local food system.
Measure J will have a negative impact:
- Measure J will gut the fabric of the community by putting multi-generational farming families out of business, and result in a $418 million economic hit in Sonoma.
- Measure J will likely lead to an increase in the costs of dairy products, eggs, and poultry for consumers throughout the Bay Area during a time of challenging inflation.
- Measure J will lead to an increase in food miles and therefore increase greenhouse gas emissions.
- The implementation of Measure J will cost taxpayers millions of dollars that otherwise could have been invested in issues important to the community.
Now is the time for the community to come together to build healthy, sustainable agricultural systems for the future, not to attack family farms. We stand with our partner organizations— including many local agricultural businesses, community groups and nonprofit organizations, Farm Bureaus, as well as local governments in Sonoma County—in opposition to this misguided and dangerous legislation.
MALT believes in the power of people working together to address societal problems and that agriculture is part of the solution. By strategically investing in agriculture and family farms, we can:
- produce healthy and nutritious food for future generations,
- maintain regional greenbelts,
- protect wildlife habitat, and
- advance climate smart agricultural practices that reduce fire risk and sequester carbon.
This is the future we want.
Learn more about the problems with Measure J.