Small Grants Program

The Marin Agricultural Land Trust’s (MALT) small grants program funds projects that preserve agriculture, protect biodiversity, connect our community, and build climate resilience. Awards of up to $50,000 each are available to Marin agriculturalists.

This program builds on the success of distributing over $3 million through our Stewardship Assistance Program and Drought Resilience and Water Security (DRAWS) initiative. These grant programs work to support farmers and ranchers throughout Marin County to enhance best management practices for natural and working lands—a practical approach rooted in on-the-ground understanding.

Find our past rounds of funding here.

Grant Round 5

Application window will be open Wednesday, January 7, 2026 through Friday, February 13, 2026 at 5pm PST.

We will accept project proposals that support MALT’s mission to protect and steward Marin’s farms and ranches for the benefit of all. 

Grants will promote agricultural and conservation practices that protect and steward agricultural land through supporting a healthy local food system, expanding environmental benefits, and building climate resilience. Projects should support economic stability by contributing to the maintenance of existing agricultural production. Projects that also have an ecological benefit by improving soil health and/or improving water quality are encouraged. 

More information coming soon.

PREVIOUS FUNDING ROUNDS

Fall 2023 — Round 1 — Build Climate Resilience

As weather patterns and climate trends continue to shift, agriculturalists in Marin County face longer heat waves, increased drought, frequent flooding, and prolonged fire seasons. The goal of this small grant cycle was to provide resources to help agriculturalists implement climate smart practices that delivered long-term solutions.

This grant round opened August 1, 2023 and closed September 10, 2023. Learn more about this round’s recipients here.

Spring 2024 — Round 2 — Biodiversity in Agricultural Working Lands

Biodiversity supports our basic needs, underpins global health, and drives everything from fresh water to healthy soils to food security. The goal of this small grants cycle was to provide resources to help agriculturalists promote biodiversity in their working lands.

This grant round opened February 20, 2024 and closed April 5, 2024. Learn more about this round’s recipients here

Fall 2024 — Round 3 — Build Climate Resilience

Building on the program’s  inaugural round of funding, our third round of funding focused on building resilience to climate change in Marin County’s working landscape. The goal of this small grants cycle was to provide resources to help agriculturalists plan, design, and implement climate smart practices that deliver long-term durable solutions to reduce emissions or energy use, increase water security, promote livestock well-being, or diversify operations.

This grant round opened August 1, 2024 and closed September 6, 2024. Learn more about this round’s recipients here

Spring 2025 — Round 4 — Resilience on Working Lands

Continuing the momentum from previous funding cycles, the fourth round expanded its lens to encompass the full spectrum of Marin County’s working lands. The goal of this small grants cycle was to help agriculturalists plan, design, and implement practices that increase resilience in managed grasslands, shrublands, and forests facing environmental and economic pressures—delivering long-term solutions that increase ecological biodiversity, climate resilience, preserve agriculture, and strengthen the community.

This grant round opened February 6, 2025 and closed March 14, 2025. Learn more about this round’s recipients here.

Connect with Us

For questions or to connect with a member of our conservation team, please complete the contact form below or contact Scott Dunbar at sdunbar[at]malt.org, (415) 663-1158 Ext: 313. We will respond as soon as possible.

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