$3 Million Mark Reached in Innovative Land Stewardship Grant Program

November 20, 2024

In a significant milestone for Marin County’s agricultural community, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) has now invested more than $3 million in land stewardship projects. This significant accomplishment represents more than just a financial figure – it is evidence of a successful model demonstrating how communities can invest back into the land to restore healthy food systems.  

Through our grant programs, MALT has funded projects such as these examples:

This $3 million investment over the past 22 years in land stewardship practices builds on MALT’s foundational work of land conservation, having permanently protected more than 58,000 acres of agricultural land in Marin since 1980. The 97 family farms and ranches with MALT agricultural conservation easements cannot be subdivided or developed and are actively kept in agricultural use. This is in stark contrast to a trend across the country and the alarming loss of productive farmland to sprawl and urban development.

MALT’s work is founded on the belief that a thriving agricultural community is essential for stewarding and enhancing Marin’s natural and working landscapes. Through collaborative partnerships with farmers and ranchers, MALT’s granting program is transforming individual parcels while contributing to regional ecosystem health and regional agricultural economic resilience. 

Marin’s farmers and ranchers are the cornerstone of regional conservation, serving as both stewards of the land and guardians of a working landscape that provides fresh local food and fiber while protecting vital ecosystems, watersheds, and wildlife habitat.

The Foundation: Stewardship Assistance Program

MALT’s journey in incentive-based granting programs began with the Stewardship Assistance Program (SAP), a trailblazing initiative founded in 2002 designed to support landowners with MALT agricultural conservation easements. Through SAP, landowners gain access to expertise, resources, and financial support to implement practices that enhance soil quality, improve water management, and promote sustainable agricultural methods. This program continues to lay the groundwork for a collaborative approach to land stewardship, recognizing that the health of individual properties contributes to the overall well-being of the entire ecosystem and regional economy.

SAP’s success demonstrated the power of targeted support in fostering agricultural practices that build operational efficiencies without sacrificing the environment. Since its inception, the program has granted more than $2 million to land owners with MALT easements, empowering these family farms to take proactive steps in conserving their natural resources. But the program’s most significant impact, in hindsight, was in setting the stage for the organization’s future initiatives, helping to establish a strong foundation of trust and cooperation with the local agricultural community.

Adrian Flores, a local contractor, puts the finishing touches on a new water line at the MALT-protected Volpi Ranch south of Petaluma, a project supported through the Drought Resilience and Water Security initiative (DRAWS).

Responding to Crisis: The Launch of DRAWS

In the spring of 2021, California entered its driest period on record, threatening not only crop yields and livestock but the very survival of many local farming and ranching operations. To weather this unprecedented time, the agricultural community turned to MALT and our partners for support, recognizing the need to mobilize resources quickly and effectively.

Mike Giammona, owner of the MALT-protected Millerton Creek Ranch, was the first to reach out to MALT staff to alert them of the emergency situation unfolding. “Being able to pick up the phone and connect with MALT staff and know there was someone on the other end ready to listen and lend a hand,” Mike shared. “That was invaluable for all of us. We have to come together in tough times.”

“We have to come together in tough times.”

– Mike Giammona, Millerton Creek Ranch

In response to this growing crisis, MALT developed the Drought Resilience and Water Security (DRAWS) initiative. Through the DRAWS initiative, all Marin County agricultural producers were eligible for $15,000 grants for projects that developed water sources, added water storage, and increased water distribution. This program represented a significant evolution in MALT’s stewardship efforts, moving beyond the scope of SAP and, for the first time, addressed the pressing needs of the entire agricultural community grappling with extreme climate conditions. 

In just a two year period, MALT committed $829,363 to 70 water infrastructure projects that build long-term resilience against the impacts of climate change and extreme drought. Projects under DRAWS included the installation of water storage systems, the implementation of water-efficient irrigation methods, and the development of strategies to enhance soil moisture retention. These investments in water infrastructure will continue to benefit the agricultural community for generations to come.

Kid goats grazing on protected rangeland in Tomales, where MALT’s integrated approach to conservation and stewardship is creating a model for climate-smart agriculture. Strategic investments in soil health, water security, and sustainable grazing practices are transforming how farmers and ranchers adapt to climate change.

Adapting to Change: The Evolution of MALT’s Approach

The success of the DRAWS initiative demonstrated MALT’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to the community’s needs. More importantly, it highlighted the organization’s commitment to adapting its programs in times of unprecedented change. This adaptive approach has become a cornerstone of MALT’s stewardship philosophy, recognizing that the challenges facing agricultural communities are dynamic and require flexible, innovative solutions benefiting people, nature, and the local economy.

In August of 2023, MALT launched a new small grants program designed to expand on existing funding opportunities and the learnings from SAP and the DRAWS initiative. Open to all Marin County agricultural operators, this new small grants program offers two competitive grant cycles each year, with a total of $200,000 available per cycle. Individual grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, enabling farmers and ranchers to implement projects that enhance both their operations and the environment.

“MALT’s small grant was the push in the right direction.”

Marissa Silva, Silva Family Dairy

“Adding solar panels to our dairy operation is something we had been considering for a long time,” shared Marissa Silva from the Silva Family Dairy. “But we didn’t know when we would have been able to do this. MALT’s small grant was the push in the right direction.”

The small grants program focuses on key priorities that strengthen Marin’s agricultural community: preserving working farms and ranches, protecting biodiversity, building climate resilience, and fostering community connections. By combining flexible funding with technical support from MALT’s stewardship team, the program helps agricultural operators tackle important projects they might not otherwise be able to pursue—a practical and adaptive approach, rooted in on the ground understanding. 

A Model for the Future

MALT’s success demonstrates that a thriving agricultural community is not just compatible with environmental stewardship—it is essential to it. By supporting farmers and ranchers in their role as land stewards, MALT is ensuring that Marin County’s natural and working landscapes are not only preserved but enhanced for future generations. 

As climate change continues to present new challenges, adaptive and community-centered approaches exemplified by MALT will be crucial to communities worldwide. The organization’s investment milestone serves as an inspiration and a call to action for other communities facing similar challenges. It shows that with vision and collaboration it is possible to create a future where agriculture and nature thrive together, building resilience in the face of an uncertain climate future.

Learn more about MALT’s land stewardship efforts here.