Marin Agricultural Land Trust

MALT's ambitious goal is to protect and partner to protect all the privately-held farmland in Marin County. To date, we've preserved over 55,000 acres or a little more than half, and there is still more work to do.

Using a tool called an agricultural conservation easement, MALT purchases development rights from landowners, extinguishing them in perpetuity. The land remains in the farmer’s or rancher’s ownership, and the legal agreement formed with MALT guarantees the land’s ongoing agricultural use.

Once a conservation easement is in place, MALT’s staff supports landowners with conservation planning and land management challenges.

In preserving farmland, MALT protects the local foodshed, maintains the agricultural character of Marin and safeguards thousands of acres of habitat for native plants and wildlife.

Founded in 1980, MALT is the nation’s first agricultural land trust and has been a leader in agricultural conservation since its inception. We have protected 55,721 acres through 93 agricultural conservation easements on ranches and farms in Marin County and have extensive experience within our staff in both conservation and stewardship work.

MALT has protected more than 55,000 acres of Marin’s farmland, more than half of all the privately-held agricultural property in the county.

MALT's work has resulted in increased impact in the following areas: 254 miles of creeks and streams protected, 647 acres of wetlands, 13,079 acres of forested habitat, and 34,155 acres of grassland and rangeland protected.