New Climate Solutions Bloom: Three Success Stories from MALT’s Grant Program

February 21, 2025

Marin County’s farmers and ranchers face mounting pressures to adapt their operations in response to climate change, yet federal funding for climate smart agriculture remains uncertain. In this challenging landscape, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) has stepped forward with an innovative solution: a small grants program that provides crucial, easy-to-access support for agricultural operators seeking to implement progressive land stewardship practices. The timing and scale of this local funding initiative couldn’t be more critical for our agricultural community.

MALT’s small grants program was designed to build upon the Stewardship Assistance Program (SAP), available to land owners with MALT agricultural conservation easements, and the learnings from the emergency launch of our Drought Resilience and Water Security initiative (DRAWS). Open to all Marin County agricultural operators, this expanded program offers two competitive grant cycles each year, with individual grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 and a total of $200,000 available per cycle—enabling farmers and ranchers to implement projects that enhance both their operations and the environment.

Our first round of small grant funding opened in August of 2023 and three of these transformative projects have recently been completed, the first of many active projects to cross the finish line. 

Here are their stories:

Corda Ranch Implements Aerial Native Seeding

Seeding some of the steepest terrain of West Marin is all but impossible. But it’s important to reintroduce both native and perennial species of plants to their pastures to combat invasive species and build the land’s resilience to our changing climate. With their $40,000 small grant from MALT, the Corda Ranch is revolutionizing their approach to pasture management through the implementation of cutting-edge aerial seeding technology.

With their grant from MALT, this ranch is now utilizing a large-scale drone capable of carrying up to 50 pounds of seed per flight, making it possible to reach areas of the ranch that were previously inaccessible. This innovative approach allows them to seed steep hillsides and remote corners of the property that traditional equipment could never access. The drone’s precision ensures that seeds are distributed exactly where they’re needed, maximizing the effectiveness of each flight.

The project’s impact extends far beyond the ranch’s boundaries. As a key property in the headwaters of Stafford Lake—one of Novato’s primary drinking water sources—the improved vegetation and soil stability help filter and capture water, enhancing water quality for the broader community.

Working in partnership with MALT staff and other local rangeland experts, the Corda Family has made great progress towards introducing new grass species in areas too steep for conventional seeding methods, plants that are more resilient to our changing climate while providing critical food sources, shelter, and habitat for native wildlife.

The new seeding program has delivered several key benefits:

Tomales Bay Pastures Brings Innovation to Egg Farming

At Tomales Bay Pastures—located at the MALT protected Millerton Creek Ranch—harsh winter storms repeatedly destroyed traditional lightweight chicken coops, while manual egg collection drained valuable labor resources. With avian flu threatening national egg supplies, strengthening local production has become increasingly critical.

Situated along California’s scenic Tomales Bay, where coastal breezes sweep across verdant pastures, the farm has transformed its operations through a $40,000 grant. Their new state-of-the-art mobile chicken system represents a significant leap forward in sustainable poultry farming. This innovative “chicken tractor” not only protects birds from extreme weather but also automates many daily tasks through solar-powered robotics.

The new system delivers multiple benefits, from reducing environmental impact through mobile foraging patterns to creating better living conditions for the hens. By automating feeding and egg collection, it also dramatically cuts labor requirements while maintaining high production levels.

The new system brings several benefits:

Westview Petaluma Ranch Upgrades for Climate-Smart Grazing

Climate-smart ranching hinges on infrastructure that enables precise livestock management. Strategic fencing and water systems allow ranchers to orchestrate carefully timed grazing rotations, which revitalize grasslands, enhance soil health, and build climate resilience from the ground up.

The Westview Petaluma Ranch recently leveraged a $40,000 MALT grant to revolutionize their grazing infrastructure. Their investment in a comprehensive water system—including new storage tanks, distribution pipes, and drinking troughs—along with more fencing has created an additional managed pasture. This expansion not only increases their operational capacity but also enables them to implement research-backed rotational grazing practices.

The ranch’s topography plays a crucial role in its ecological significance. Its rolling grasslands slope eastward toward San Antonio Creek, forming a vital link in the watershed that feeds the Petaluma River and ultimately the San Francisco Bay. To maximize the environmental impact of their infrastructure improvements, the ranch has formed a partnership with the Sonoma Mountain Institute, whose ecological expertise guides precise grazing timing to optimize grassland health and watershed protection.

Their improvements included:

Looking Forward

The success of these initial projects under MALT’s small grants program demonstrates how targeted funding can support both agricultural productivity and environmental conservation. By investing in our local agricultural community, we’re helping to build a more resilient and sustainable food system in Marin County. And as climate change continues to impact our region, supporting innovative solutions like these will become increasingly important. 

We look forward to seeing the long-term benefits these improvements bring to both the individual operations and our wider agricultural community. 

Stay tuned for more!