Fall Newsletter, MALT - 2020

Paradise Valley Ranch, Bolinas 239 acres, MALT protected since 2014

When you think of MALT farms and ranches, do you imagine golden, rolling hills and pastures with grazing dairy cows? Or perhaps beef cattle scattered among oak woodlands? Or maybe woolly sheep and wheels of cheese? Well, there's another kind of MALT ranch we want you to know about — the kind that produces fresh local vegetables!

The fertile floor of Paradise Valley Ranch near Bolinas was first certified as organic row crop land in 1983; Peter Martinelli’s Fresh Run Farm, which he operates on the ranch, continues this tradition. From deep green kale to squash and sweet strawberries, this farm produces organic fruits and vegetables for iconic Bay Area restaurants Quince, Cotogna and Verjus. Peter’s sought-after produce is just part of the story here; Paradise Valley Ranch has a rich history as well.

Peter is a third-generation landowner. His grandparents purchased this land along Pine Gulch Creek in the 1940s, and his father raised beef cattle on the property in the 1950s. Much of the ranch was then transitioned to artichokes until 1983, when organic farming pioneer Warren Weber began leasing land here to grow fruits and vegetables. Peter started Fresh Run Farm in the 1990s on a quarter acre, ultimately taking over the entire ranch's operations in 1999. In the years since, Fresh Run Farm has flourished, thanks to his flavorful produce.

Paradise Valley Ranch is a fitting name for this lush, productive landscape. Forty varieties of produce sprout in orderly plots and orchards, surrounded by a riot of wild blackberry bushes, mushrooms and nettles. Equipped with a comprehensive habitat management plan, this ranch is

Kale and winter greens line the valley floor at Fresh Run Farm

n the late 1970s, West Marin was in trouble. The ranching community was recovering from a terrible drought and “for sale” signs were cropping up on family farms across the county. Ellen Straus and Phyllis Faber wanted to help to protect the future of farming and the environment.

It didn’t take Ellen and Phyllis long to turn their desire to help into a plan. In 1980, with support from Marin’s ranching and environmental communities, they founded MALT, the first agricultural land trust in the nation and a nonprofit that would ultimately change Marin.

Forty years later, I am proud to tell you that when Ellen and Phyllis created MALT, they created a movement. While the concept of eliminating development rights from farmland was new in 1980, what likely came as no surprise to either Ellen, a rancher, or Phyllis, a botanist — two women who’d found a friendship in their shared vision for the land of West Marin — was that farmland conservation would bring people together for years and years to come. In the decades since they created this organization, MALT has thrived at the center of an incredible nexus of interests: agriculture, food production, environmentalism and climate change mitigation.

I love knowing that although we are all very different, and our passions for MALT’s work are unique and personal, we unite around what we agree on: the permanent protection of Marin’s farmland in support of a thriving agricultural community and a healthy and diverse natural environment.

This year, we invite you to celebrate our forty years of success, which you have made possible. This spring’s events calendar can be found further along in this newsletter. I hope you'll join us to toast to 40 years of transformative change!

IParadise Valley Ranch, Bolinas

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home to northern spotted owls, which nest in stands of mature Douglas fir and redwood, and endangered California red-legged frogs and threatened steelhead trout, which take refuge in the shaded banks and pools of Pine Gulch Creek.

Peter’s success on this relatively small farming parcel near Bolinas is no small feat. With fields and forests around the town of Bolinas being converted into weekend retreats, organic farming in this delicate ecosystem is a challenge. Just an hour north of San Francisco, property values in this area are high and climbing, putting pressure on local farmers like Peter to sell their properties.

But the Martinelli family didn’t want to sell. They wanted to make sure their family farm stayed in agriculture for

Jamison Watts Executive Director

Organic vegetables from Fresh Run Farm

“My family and I want to see the ranch remain unchanged for generations to come.”

– Peter Martinelli

the long haul. In 2010, they approached MALT to protect Paradise Valley Ranch from estate development with a conservation easement. And in the years since they chose to partner with MALT, their ranch has continued to thrive with a commitment to, in Peter’s words, “work in harmony with nature.”

Once MALT helped to secure the Martinelli family’s future on the ranch with the protection of a conservation easement, they have been steadfast in their commitment to organic farming and habitat protection. The family also played an integral role in a groundbreaking initiative, The Pine Gulch Watershed Enhancement Project, to protect native fish in Pine Gulch Creek, which flows through Paradise Valley Ranch on its way to Bolinas Lagoon.

Peter, working closely with neighboring farms, MALT, the Marin Resource Conservation District, the National Park Service and other agencies, engineered a fish-friendly water storage solution on Pine Gulch Creek to protect juvenile Coho salmon and steelhead trout during the dry season, when his row crops at Fresh Run Farm need the water too. Now he and his family — and neighboring farms — divert water into storage ponds on their properties, filling them during winter storms and leaving the creek undisturbed throughout the summer months in order to preserve fish habitat. The ponds also serve as rainwater catchments and have the added benefit of creating more wetland habitats that enhance the overall ecological values of this ranch.

Thanks to the Martinellis’ collaborative stewardship, MALT was able to secure a $1.5 million grant from the California State Wildlife Conservation Board to purchase the easement on Paradise Valley Ranch. Generous donations from the Bolinas community and MALT supporters brought in another $1 million. And the Martinellis are so committed to

preserving Bolinas’s agricultural way of life that they donated more than half the value of the easement, a tribute to their grandparents, the Honorable Jordan L. Martinelli Sr. and Genevieve C. Martinelli.

With MALT protection, the ranch’s future is secure, as is that of the wildlife that call this place home.

“My family and I want to see the ranch remain unchanged for generations to come,” says Peter. “As a farmer, I see the rich bottom land, climate and water resources in the Pine Gulch drainage as an agricultural resource that is the ultimate gift to leave to future generations of Marin residents.”

Eat veggies from Fresh Run Farms

Fresh Run Farm produce is served at San Francisco restaurants Quince, Cotogna and Verjus.

Learn where to buy products from all MALT-protected ranches: malt.org/buy-local

Meet Neil Rudolph, MALT’s Newest Board Chair

As of October 1, 2019, Neil Rudolph is the chair of MALT’s board of directors. Following Ralph Grossi, who was one of MALT’s founding board members and our most recent board chair, Neil brings a wealth of financial and philanthropic expertise to MALT’s team. One of four founders and former COO of Symphony Asset Management, LLC, a San Francisco–based institutional money management firm, Neil is currently an advisor to the firm. When he’s not at MALT board meetings, Neil can be found either in New York or at his home in Belvedere, where he loves to swim, kayak and cook with his wife, Susan Cluff.

Vegetable starts and microgreens line the Fresh Run Farms greenhouse.

Like Father Like Daughters: How Innovation Continues to Drive Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company

four decades on the property,” said Jill Giacomini Basch. “Walking alongside our parents was our on-the-job training. And, yes, in the early days we were paid in cheese.”

They further embraced innovation by selling a conservation easement to MALT in order to protect the land forever.

“Selling a conservation easement to MALT in 2005 helped us improve the business,” added Diana Giacomini Hagan. “It provided us with capital to remodel the original creamery and keep us on our trajectory forward in the cheese business. We have a strong belief in MALT’s mission and purpose, that of respecting and maintaining agricultural land in Marin. This guiding philosophy of our parents has been passed down to us.”

This year marks a special milestone for Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company: its 20th year making awardwinning cheeses.

The success of this artisan cheese company, which sources its milk from MALT-protected land, is built on two foundations: family and innovation.

In the late 1990s, dairy farmers Bob and Dean Giacomini saw a need to make a change. They realized that the 500 cows they grazed on the dairy just north of Point Reyes Station were putting too much pressure on the breath-taking coastal pastures they were trying to steward.

So they shifted course, reducing the size of their herd and branching out into the cheese-making business.

But diversification alone was not enough to make this venture a success.

It also required family. And so Bob and Dean lured their daughters — Jill, Diana, Karen and Lynn — back to the farm. All four had achieved success in various business careers, none of them cheese-making.

“Transitioning from prior business careers back to the farm, we had so much to learn about agriculture from our parents’

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company is now 100% women-owned by Jill, Lynn and Diana. And Bob, 82 years young, is still active in the business. The family continues to innovate: opening The Fork, the on-farm culinary and educational center, to promote artisanal and hand-crafted producers in the region, building a second creamery and distribution facility in Petaluma and even looking at using dairy robots to increase cow comfort and productivity. And all the while still producing award-winning cheese recognized across the nation.

Learn more about Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company at pointreyescheese.com

Learn where to buy products from all MALTprotected ranches: malt.org/buy-local

JOIN US OUT ON THE LAND! Register at malt.org/events

MALT’s 40 th Anniversary Cocktail Party!

MALT turns 40 in 2020! This special event will be a joyful celebration, complete with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres sourced from MALT-protected land. Join us to toast to 40 years of farmland protection!

Wildflower Walk at Leiss Ranch

The first of many hikes MALT will offer in 2020, this spring stroll on Leiss Ranch is a beauty. Known for its serpentine soils and unique flora, Leiss Ranch offers abundant flowers that are expected to be in full bloom by late April. One mile round trip, this walk includes a gentle climb on uneven terrain.

For the Love of Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese

Join us at this delectable event to learn all about sustainable cheese-making — and to taste a variety of the company's award-winning cheeses too! The Giacomini sisters will be on site to teach us about their farm, their business and their cheeses.

Watershed Health & Working Lands

Learn about conservation practices on the working lands of West Marin! MALT staff, in partnership with several agencies, will share their knowledge about watershed health and how restoration and management efforts can improve water quality, enhance ranch productivity and protect wildlife.

West Marin Community Day

Hosted by MALT and Walker Creek Ranch Outdoor School

Continuing the celebration of MALT’s 40 years of farmland protection, this family-friendly day will have something for everyone: a sheep-shearing demonstration, watershed education, naturalist-led hikes and more!

When: March 7, 2020

Where: Mill Valley Community Center

Who: Invitations will be mailed in late January to donors giving $500 or more annually and to Legacy Giving Circle members

When: April 25, 2020

Where: Leiss Ranch, MALT protected since 2003

Who: Open to MALT members and the public

When: May 3, 2020

Where: Straus Home Ranch, MALT protected since 1992

Who: Open to MALT members and the public

When: May 16, 2020

Where: Chileno Valley Ranch, MALT protected since 2000

Who: Open to MALT members, the public and agricultural landowners

When: May 30, 2020

Where: Walker Creek Ranch, MALT protected since 1986

Who: Open and free to all MALT members and the public

Preregistration is required for all events. Register at malt.org/events or call (415) 663-1158.

Supporter Spotlight: Mary Love

Mary was born and raised on a ranch in Colorado. Her father had been a banker, but during the Great Depression, he moved his family out west and became a cattle rancher. From a young age, Mary learned how to take care of animals. By the age of five, she was riding horses, a passion that remains with her to this day. These formative years in Colorado instilled in her the value and importance of open space for people and wildlife.

After completing her education on the East Coast and in California, Mary moved to Berkeley, where she met her late husband, David Love. They lived in the East Bay where Mary worked as an ICU nurse and David as a physicist.

After Mary and David moved to the Bay Area, the impact of urban development on open spaces and agricultural lands became apparent to them. They witnessed firsthand the encroachment of development and subdivision, from San Jose to Petaluma, causing irreparable damage to wildlife habitat and working lands.

Longing for open space and nature, they moved to Marin County in 2006. David, who was a well-known vintage racecar driver, loved driving the backroads of Marin County and the Pacific Coast; Mary loved riding her horses through Marin’s pristine landscapes.

While spending time in West Marin, they began to notice MALT signs dotting the rolling hills, with the words “Protected Forever.” This was Mary and David’s introduction to MALT’s work. MALT’s mission to preserve agricultural land strongly aligned with Mary and David’s appreciation for natural landscapes, farmland and protecting land from the negative impacts of urban development. Mary and David have been dedicated MALT supporters for years now.

David passed away in 2014, but Mary continues to do all she can on behalf of native wildlife — and to honor husband David’s shared wishes — to preserve open spaces, critical wildlife habitat and the migration corridors they need to thrive.

Mary Love Matching Challenge

Last year, MALT supporter Mary Love made an incredible gift: $250,000 to MALT, with another $250,000 to be used as a match challenge to encourage charitable giving throughout the fall and early winter. She made the same pledge to Sonoma Land Trust, part of a greater vision she and her late husband, David, shared for this region.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Neil Rudolph Chair Financial Advisor, Belvedere

Robert McGee Vice-Chair Senior Executive, Petaluma

Diana Giacomini Hagan Treasurer CFO/Artisan Cheesemaker, San Rafael

Tamara Hicks Secretary Clinical Psychologist and Cheesemaker, Tomales and San Francisco

Bill Barboni II Veterinarian and Rancher, Petaluma

Marcia Barinaga Sheep Rancher, Marshall

Barbara Boucke CPA, Stinson Beach

Sam Dolcini Rancher and Agricultural Recruiter, Petaluma

Andrew Giacomini Attorney, San Geronimo

Ralph Grossi Rancher, Novato

Janine Guillot CEO, San Francisco and Tomales

Lynne Heinrich Nonprofit Management, Consultant and Professor, Berkeley and Inverness

Tim Kehoe Rancher, Point Reyes National Seashore

Paul Martin Rancher and Farm Advocate, Petaluma

Rebecca Patton Conservationist, Palo Alto and Inverness

Lisa Poncia Attorney and Rancher, Tomales and Novato

Andrew Riesenfeld Senior Executive, Corte Madera

Dennis Rodoni Marin County District 4 Supervisor, Olema

David Schrader Financial Advisor, Mill Valley

Learn more about MALT’s board of directors: malt.org/board-of-directors

MALT STAFF

Jamison Watts Executive Director

Jennifer Maude Carlin Director of Advancement

Ray Fort Director of Operations

Jeff Stump Director of Conservation

Willa Antczak Associate Director of Development, Annual and Legacy Giving

Marcella Brawley Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts

Tristan Conway Outreach Associate and Volunteer Coordinator

Isabel French Associate Director of Development, Marketing and Communications

Peter Fugazzotto Associate Manager, Digital Engagement

Kristin Guy Stewardship Project Manager

Christine Harvey Senior Database Manager

Colleen Hogan Office Manager

Elizabeth Hollis Development Associate

Jim Jensen Stewardship Manager

Kathryn Lyddan Associate Director of Conservation, Acquisitions

Zach Mendes Conservation GIS Manager

Denise Rocco-Zilber Senior Outreach Manager

Eric Rubenstahl Stewardship Project Manager

Maggie Sowell Associate Manager, Communications and Design

Nancy Turner Accounting Manager

Jonathan Wachter Conservation Project Planner

Sydney Weisbach Major Gifts Associate

Co-Founded by Phyllis Faber and Ellen Straus

MALT news is published quarterly

by Marin Agricultural Land Trust, a nonprofit tax-exempt organization.

Editor: Isabel French

Graphic Design: shirleycreative.com

Proofreader: David Sweet

Printed on recycled paper containing soy inks

Photos: Isabel French, Paige Green, Elizabeth Hollis, Mia Pelletier, Michael Woolsey

Post Office Box 809

Point Reyes Station California 94956

Your Legacy, Marin’s Farming Future

As a Legacy Giving Circle member, you are crucial to securing the future of Marin’s family farms and unforgettable working landscapes.

To learn about options for adding MALT to your estate plans, including bequests, IRA or life insurance designations, gifts of real estate and more, visit malt.org/legacy or contact Willa Antczak at (415) 663-1158 ext. 312 or wantczak@malt.org.

To

Marin Agricultural Land Trust is a member-supported, nonprofit organization created in 1980 to protect Marin County farmland. Some of the Bay Area’s most highly acclaimed meats, dairy products and organic crops are produced on farmland protected by MALT, totaling more than 54,000 acres on 86 family farms and ranches.

learn about Marin’s working farms and ranches and the food they produce, visit malt.org

“My grandmother grew up on a dairy farm in rural Minnesota, so I have always appreciated the incredible dedication it takes to be a rancher. It is even more challenging in Marin with all the development pressures spilling from the city. I can’t think of a better use of money and time than helping MALT preserve agriculture in our backyard.”

Joe Gillach, Belvedere

Legacy Giving Circle member and MALT member since 1998