Protecting Marin County Farmland

1983

1. Mazza-Pomi & Lavio Ranches 844 acres, Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road

MALT's first easement sets the pace for its land preservation efforts. The ranch currenly supports beef cattle and dairy heifers.

2. Stevens Ranch - 1,503 acres, Marshall

A former Synanon property, the San Francisco Foundation returned it to agricultural use, selling it to the Stevens Family with an easement conveyed to MALT. Beef and wine grapes are grown here, and the property houses the Straus Family Creamery.

1985

3. Skywalker Ranch - 2,538 acres, Nicasio

MALT received an easement covering 95% of this ranch from Lucasfilm, Ltd. in accordance with county planning requirements. Beef cattle graze the pastures alongside vineyards and olive trees.

1986

4. Walker Creek Ranch - 1,720 acres, Marshall

A former Synanon property, its developed area is used by the Marin County Office of Education for outdoor environmental education programs. The fields are leased to graze beef cattle and grow organic vegetables

5. Rogers/Lafranchi Ranch - 477 acres, Nicasio

Located just north of Nicasio Square, this endangered ranch was saved from pending development through MALT's purchase and subsequent resale to a neighboring dairy rancher. This is home to Nicasio Valley Cheese Company, Nicasio Valley Farms pumpkin patch and Allstar Organics.

6. Cerini Ranch - 360 acres, Tomales

Scottish Highland and Angus beef cattle are raised on this ranch located in the Coastal Zone on a hilltop between Tomales Bay and the town of Tomales.

7. Stubbs & Pitts Ranches - 1,161 acres, Hicks Valley

In 1982, Tom and Mary purchased their ranch overlooking Hicks Valley and four years later sought to permanently protect it by selling a conservation easement to MALT. Stubbs Ranch is now home to Stubbs Vineyard. The Pitts Ranch's pastures are leased for Angus beef cattle.

1987

8. Daniels Ranch - 468 acres, Nicasio

This beef cattle ranch with organic vegetable gardens is located just north of Nicasio Square. The Daniels' operate a B&B in a cabin on the ranch and host weddings and parties in a restored barn.

1988

9. Rich Giacomini Ranch - 826 acres, Marshall

MALT's easement made it possible for a local rancher to buy this former horse ranch, which is now in use for raising beef cattle.

10. Barinaga Ranch - 883 acres, Marshall

This ranch overlooks Tomales Bay and the Point Reyes peninsula and is surrounded by four other MALT-protected properties, creating a protected area of more than 6,000 contiguous acres.  Marcia Barinaga produces farmstead Basque-style sheep's milk cheese.

1990

11. Spaletta Ranch - 811 acres, Estero Americano

This beef cattle ranch is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north by Estero Americano, a coastal estuary supporting a variety of habitats and a diversity of plant and animal species.

1989

12. Raiser Bacon Ranch - 588 acres, Tomales

Leased pasture for beef cattle.

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1990

13. Spaletta Ranch 639 acres, Estero Americano

This easement completed protection of the Spaletta Ranch property begun in 1988.

1991

15-17. Pozzi Ranches - 978 acres, Estero de San Antonio

MALT purchased the Wolcott Ranch near Dillon Beach and transferred it to the Pozzi family in exchange for easements on it and two Pozzi family ranches.  The Pozzis raise sheep and angus beef on the ranches.

18. McIsaac Dairy - 219 acres, Tomales

This property is owned by a third-generation farming family that raises prize-winning dairy cattle and pastured chickens.

19. Dolcini-Davidson Ranch - 850 acres, Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road

The rolling hills and level pastures of this ranch are used to graze beef cattle and heifers for the adjacent dairy owned by the same family.

1992

20. Bill & Eileen Jensen Ranch - 180 acres, Tomales

This is one of the four oldest continuously operated family ranches in Marin. The Jensens raise sheep and heifers.

21. Al Poncia Ranch - 269 acres, Fallon

Bordering Stemple Creek north of Tomales, part of this ranch is leased as a dairy and supplies milk for Wallaby Yogurt.  The remainder is used for raising sheep and beef cattle under the Stemple Creek Ranch label.

22. Leroy & Reba Dolcini Ranch - 960 acres, Chileno Valley

This beef ranch, stretching southeast from Laguna Lake, was MALT's first easement in Chileno Valley, one of the most productive and threatened agricultural areas in Marin.

23. David Burbank Ranch - 210 acres, Fallo

Luther Burbank used this ranch for experiments with potatoes and blackberries. It is now part of Stemple Creek Ranch.

24. Mitchell Ranch - 294 acres, Tomales

This ranch has been in the same family since the turn of the century.  Supports a dairy replacement heifer and sheep operation

25/26. Straus Home & Dairy Ranches - 166/493 acres, Marshall

These ranches support a 250-cow dairy operation, used by the Straus family to produce organic milk and other dairy products.

27. Brazil Ranch - 952 acres, Tomales

The current owner purchased this ranch from George Nicholas, famous in agricultural circles for developing the Polypay sheep, which produce twins and even triplet offspring.  The ranch raises sheep and beef cattle.

28. Maloney Ranch - 288 acres, northeast corner of Marin County

This ranch, part of Fallon Hills Ranch grass-fed beef and lamb, is located in both Marin and Sonoma counties. MALT's easement covers the Marin acreage.

29. Respini Ranch - 1,242 acres, Marshall

This ranch is surrounded by four other ranches with MALT easements, creating a protected area of more than 6,000 contiguous acres along Marshall-Petaluma Road.  Home to some of Marin's only remaining native coastal prairie habitat, as well as beef cattle and sheep.

30. Ellis Ranch - 274 acres, Chileno Valley

The pastures of this ranch in the hills above Chileno Valley Road are leased to a neighboring cattle rancher.

1993

31. Sartori Ranch - 645 acres, Tomales

This ranch on both sides of the Tomales-Petaluma Road has been owned by the Sartori family since the early 1900s. Organic pasture is leased for raising replacement heifers.

32. Pozzi Ranch - 356 acres, Valley Ford

This ranch on both sides of the Tomales-Petaluma Road has been owned by the Sartori family since the early 1900s. Organic pasture is leased for raising replacement heifers.

33. Ryan Tocalino Ranch - 856 acres, Novato

Climbing up the ridge southwest of Stafford Lake, this ranch was at risk of development due to its location near the Novato city limits.

34. Nobmann Ranch (Black Mtn. Ranch) - 1,192 acres, Point Reyes Station

MALT's easement on this ranch protects the west face of Black Mountain, a prominent West Marin landmark that serves as a backdrop to the town of Point Reyes Station.  Organic pastures are leased for grazing beef cattle.

35. Faith Ranch - 152 acres, Tomales

Dairy replacement heifers are raised on this ranch owned by Ramona Sartori Faith.

1994

36. Fred & Karen Dolcini Ranch - 1,003 acres, Chileno Valley

MALT's purchase of an easement on this ranch allowed Fred to buy out a co-owner and keep the property in productive agriculture.  Pastures are leased for raising dairy replacement heifers and growing silage.

37. Corda Ranch - 847 acres, Chileno Valley

Involved in Marin agriculture since 1884, the Corda family's transfer of an easement to MALT was part gift and part sale. Use mainly for grazing, the ranch also contains a vineyard.

38. Volpi Ranch - 213 acres, Pt. Reyes-Petaluma Road

MALT's purchase of a conservation easement helped the Volpi family upgrade its goat dairy operation. Home to Andante Dairy Creamery, a small-batch cheesemaking business that supplies goat and sheep's milk cheeses to restaurants.

1998

39. Doug & Cathy Ielmorini Dairy - 400 acres, Nicasio

MALT's purchase of a conservation easement enabled the Ielmorinis to buy this Nicasio dairy, which they had been leasing for six years.  The dairy was recently certified organic.

1999

40. Thomas Ielmorini Ranch - 701 acres, Chileno Valley

This beef ranch is located just six miles from Petaluma and was severely threatened by suburban sprawl.  MALT's conservation easement will keep it from ever being subdivided.

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2000

41. Gale Ranch - 586 acres,  Chileno Valley

Located near Petaluma, this ranch was subject to substantial development pressures. The Gales currently run the Chileno Valley Ranch grass-fed beef operation and a U-pick apple and pear orchard in the fall.

42. Bob Burbank Ranch - 325 acres,Tomales

This beef ranch has been in the same family since the 1860s, when it was purchased by Luther Burbank's half-brother George.

2001

43. Big Rock Ranches - 2,296 acres, Nicasio

Lucasfilm, Ltd. conveyed this easement on the Big Rock, McGuire, and Loma Alta ranches as part of an agreement with the County of Marin. The current cattle operation continues while the company diversifies to wine grapes and olives.

44. Lois Parks Ranch - 199 acres,Tomales

The Parks family has been ranching in Tomales since 1880. Today Lois's son Glenn raises sheep on the ranch and leases pastureland to another rancher who raises replacement dairy heifers there.

45. John Jensen Ranch - 320 acres,Tomales

Five generations of the Jensen family have been involved in ranching in Tomales. Sheep and a small herd of replacement dairy heifers are raised here.

2002

46. Ielmorini-Moody Dairy - 326 acres, Valley Ford

The dairy spans two counties; 1,237 acres are protected by a Sonoma County Ag Preservation and Open Space District conservation easement and 326 acres are protected by MALT.

47. Barboni Ranch - 1,310 acres, Hicks Valley

Covering more land than any other MALT-protected property, this ranch includes special protections for creeks. Family members now raise sheep and purebred Angus calves on this former dairy.

2003

48. Zimmerman Ranch - 308 acres, Marshall

The easement on this ranch enabled Bill and Sharon Zimmerman to puchase Bill's parents' ranch and carry on the family beef cattle business.

49. Leiss Ranch - 208 acres, Chileno Valley

Because of its proximity to Petaluma, this beef cattle ranch was especially vulnerable to development. Now it's part of a chain of 10 contiguous easement properties totaling 7,000 acres.

50. Lanatti Ranch - 586 acres, Chileno Valley

Members of the Lanatti family lease to a 250-cow dairy on their ranch in conjunction with another dairy operation in Sonoma County. The Lanattis are part of the Sierra Organic dairy family.

51. Grossi Ranch - 870 acres, Novato

Located just two miles from Novato, this ranch is a mosaic of forests and grasslands. A former dairy, the ranch is now used for raising replacement dairy heifers and beef cattle.

2004

52. Moore Ranch - 1,007 acres, Nicasio

The ranch was owned until 1999 by the Gallagher family, longtime dairy and beef ranchers in West Marin. They continue to lease the land for grazing beef cattle from the current owners.

53. Phillips Lands - 120 acres, Nicasio

This gift of a conservation easement on 120 forested acres adjoins 150 acres already protected by MALT.  Halleck Creek runs through the property, and the forests are home to bald and golden eagle nests.

2005

54. Robert Giacomini Dairy Inc. - 714 acres, north of Point Reyes Station

One of the largest and most productive dairies in Marin, the Giacomini Ranch has panoramic views of Tomales Bay and is home to Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company.

55/56. Jacobsen Ranch - 981 acres, Chileno Valley

Renowned for the quality of its pastures, the Jacobsen Ranch is home to JA Angus, a purebred bull operation run by John Goldbeck, the grandson of owner Ruthelma Jacobsen.

57. Martin & Sally Pozzi Ranch - 1,125 acres, Tomales

This easement enabled the Pozzi family to purchase the shoreline property at the mouth of Walker Creek which they had leased for four years. They raise sheep and beef cattle.

2006

58. Long Meadow Ranch East - 178 acres, Tomales

This portion of a former dairy ranch was permanently protected for agriculture in a unique partnership with the landowners who donated 70% of the easement's value. Grass-fed cattle are raised here

2007

59. Crayne Ranch - 294 acres, Tomales

Crayne Ranch is part of the historic landscape and unchanged for 150 years. Without a MALT easement, this beef ranch would have been sold and most likely subdivided.

60. Long Meadow Ranch West - 243 acres, Tomales

In combination with the 2006 Long Meadow Ranch East easement, the owners were able to expand their grass-fed beef business, employing state of the art rotational grazing practices, and to grow specialty crops, including organic potatoes and artichokes.

61. Eugene Poncia Ranch - 750 acres, Tomales

MALT's purchase of a conservation easement enabled Gene Poncia to keep his ranch and pass it on to his son to run a cow/calf operation. The ranch has been in the family since 1915.

2008

62. Panfiglio Ranch - 810 acres, north of Point Reyes Station

The sale of an easement on this ranch located in a unique, isolated area at the base of Three Peaks kept the ranch in the family with an active beef cattle operation.

63. Dolcini Red Hill Ranch - 565 acres, Hicks Valley

A brother and sister were able to avoid sale to outside interests and keep the historic and scenic ranch in active, diversified agriculture.  The Dolcinis raise grass-fed beef and pastured eggs and operate a farm stand onsite.   County Line Produce leases the rest of the acreage, operating the largest row crop farm in Marin County.

2009

64. Cypress Lane Dairy - 772 acres, Novato

Prominently located on Point Reyes-Petaluma Road at its intersection with Novato Boulevard, this dairy ranch is part of a greenbelt of protected historic farmland on the road leading to Petaluma.

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2010

65. Toluma Farms  - 160 acres, Tomales

Toluma Farms is a small, dversified goat and sheep farm, producing cheese under the Tomales Farmstead Creamery label.

66. Mazzucchi Ranch - 215 acres, Valley Ford

Located just south of Valley Ford near Estero Americano, the Mazzuchi ranch supports sheep grazing.

2011

67. Fred Corda Ranch - 1,214 acres, Novato

The Corda family has owned this ranch just west of Novato since the early 1900s. Agricultural operations on the ranch include raising beef cattle and dairy heifers.

68. Gary Thornton Ranch - 1,013 acres, Tomales

The Thornton family raises grass-fed lamb, cattle and pastured eggs. Gary's daughter Marisa bought a herd of dairy cows with proceeds from a successful Kickstarter campaign and the milk is used to make artisanal cheese at an onsite creamery.

2012

69. Moretti Family Dairy - 126 acres, Fallon

MALT helped permanently protect the organic Moretti Dairy near the town of Tomales when it acquired the development rights on a 126-acre parcel located directly behind the family’s ranch.

70/71. Barboni Home and Bassi Ranches - 746 acres/448 acres, Novato

Easements on two properties preserve diverse oak woodlands and prime grazing pastures on the western end of Soulajule Reservoir.  The Barboni Family raises beef and sheep and sells meat under the Hicks Valley Cattle Company label.

2013

72. Stemple Creek Ranch - 440 acres, Tomales

4th-generation rancher Loren Poncia and his wife Lisa raise organic, grass-fed meat under the Stemple Creek Ranch label and practice innovative land and livestock stewardship.

2014

73. Thacher Ranch - 623 acres, Tomales

Will Thacher raises cattle and sheep on his family's ranch, and plans to launch a small-scale milking and artisan cheese making operation.

74. Millerton Creek Ranch - 864 acres, Pt. Reyes Station

In an unusual move, MALT purchased this property outright from a real estate developer and will lease it temporarily to two local ranchers for beef cattle and water buffalo dairy.

75. Paradise Valley Ranch - 239 acres, Bolinas

This extraordinary property bordering Pt. Reyes National Seashore is home to one of California's first certified organic farms, and supports endangered fish and wildlife habitat amongst rows of fresh produce.

2015

76. Fallon Ranch - 186 acres, Tomales

Squash, potatoes, tomates and silage grow in this ranch's fertile, protected soil, while cattle graze on grassy hillsides above Stemple Creek.

2016

77. Gallagher North Bend Ranch - 330 acres, Point Reyes Station

Now owned by the fourth generation of Gallaghers, this ranch is named for the bend of Lagunitas Creek that runs through it. Dairy cows graze on its pastures and organic row crops grow in the flats.

78. Wilson Hill Road Ranch - 491 acres, Petaluma

Home to grazing dairy heifers, this ranch hosts several large tracts of mature oak woodlands, a stand of redwoods and nearly 100 broad leaf grasses and wildflowers.

2017

79. Dolcini-Beltrametti Ranch - 326 acres, Hicks Valley

Home to grazing jerseys and organic feed, the Dolcini -Beltrametti Ranch joins a swath of 22,897 acres of MALT-protected land, creating the largest contiguous block of protected agricultural land in Marin, stretching between Nicasio and Novato, from San Geronimo Valley to Chileno Valley and West Petaluma.

80. Stanley Martinelli Ranch - 602 acres, Point Reyes Station

The Martinelli family has owned this 602-acre ranch for more than 120 years and runs a small beef operation with 70-80 head of cattle.

81. Evans Nicasio Ranch - 998 acres, Nicasio

The ranch is now part of 25,000 acres of connected farm and ranch land protected by MALT.

82. Furlong Ranch - 609 acres, Marshall

Furlong Ranch was at high risk of being sold for private estate development because of its scenic location overlooking Tomales Bay and its two legal parcels.

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