Marin Voice: Measure A key to MALT’s agricultural conservation easements

Since its passage in 2012, Measure A (reaffirmed by voters in 2022) has been tremendously successful in supporting the stated commitment of Marin’s countywide plan to the “preservation of agricultural lands and resources.”

More than $100 million from Measure A funding has been invested in parks and open space, sustainable agriculture and recreation in cities and towns in Marin since 2012, with $19.7 million invested in farmland preservation.

Because Measure A provides up to half of the cost for agricultural conservation easements, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust has consistently secured funds from other public state and federal agencies, as well as private donors, to protect working lands in Marin County. As a result, the $19.7 million allocated by Measure A has been leveraged to invest a total of $39.4 million in farmland preservation.

The partnership with MALT through Measure A allows the county to achieve its land protection goals at a much lower cost than any one entity alone. This collaboration has resulted in the protection of 15 farms and ranches totaling more than 9,725 acres – a model and inspiration for agricultural regions across the county.

Without Measure A, and the critical matching funds, Marin County is at risk of losing productive agricultural land. According to the American Farmland Trust, every day 2,000 acres of agricultural land are paved over, fragmented, or converted to uses that jeopardize farming. In the next 15 years, one-third of America’s farmland and ranchland will likely change hands, as current landowners age and sell.

Look at what is happening in nearby Solano County. The “California Forever” initiative to build a new “city from scratch” would result in the loss of 17,500 acres of rangelands, pulling land out of agricultural production. The risk is real and at our doorstep.

Protected agricultural lands offer so many benefits for the community beyond healthy local foods and jobs for our neighbors. Well-stewarded agricultural land sequesters carbon and buffers against wildfires. Much of Marin’s agricultural land doubles as habitat for wildlife species we love like coho salmon and bald eagles.

To date, MALT has leveraged Measure A funding to protect 37 miles of streams; 4,591 acres of grassland; 1,613 acres of forests; 45 acres of wetlands; seven beef cattle operations and one dairy operation; five dairy replacement heifer grazing operations; one pasture-raised egg operation; and two row crop operations.

Earlier this month, the Marin County Civil Grand Jury issued suggestions the county could take to further increase its oversight of Measure A public funds. MALT welcomes collaboration with the county and its agencies on how they choose to implement any changes to its oversight of Measure A in response to the report.

Additionally, MALT, as a nonprofit organization, has numerous policies and structures to help maintain transparency and accountability. These include a conflict of interest policy updated in 2019, publicly disclosed financials, and policies on transparency and governance. The cost of each agricultural easement purchased by MALT, and funded in part by Measure A, is based on an independent appraisal, may not exceed fair market value, and is reviewed and approved by the county’s real estate section.

As part of MALT’s continuous accreditation since 2010 with the Land Trust Alliance, we complete a rigorous review process to demonstrate our fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions, and lasting stewardship of the lands we conserve. LTA accreditation shows that a land trust meets the highest standards for land conservation nationally.

Over the next several months, MALT will review the grand jury report more in depth and provide specific feedback to help ensure the continuing vitality of the use of Measure A funds to help us meet our shared goals of preserving agriculture in Marin County.

Measure A has been a key tool in advancing the goals of the countywide plan to preserve agricultural lands. MALT is proud that it has been able to double the impact of taxpayer dollars. Everyone here looks forward to collaboratively advancing the preservation of agriculture in the county in years to come.

Lily Verdone, of Petaluma, is executive director of the MALT nonprofit organization.