April 2010 Marin Agricultural Land Trust Newsletter

Let's talk ag
April 10
The West Marin Community Conversations Task Force invites you to its fourth event at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes Station.
The latest in a series of community round-tables, this forum, co-sponsored by MALT, will focus on the challenges, possibilities, and
future of agriculture in rural Marin.

County Ag Commissioner Stacey Carlsen, Marin County Cooperative Extension Director David Lewis, and ranchers Sam Dolcini &
Sharon Doughty will be on hand to present their points of view. Their presentations will be followed by a Q & A on this important
topic.

If you're interested in agriculture in Marin, the Task Force encourages you to join the conversation. Visit MarinWatch.org for more
information.

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Marin family business supports Marin family farms

Shop & Give at Mill Valley Market

For those of you who live in or travel through Mill Valley, we want to let you know about the generous offer
made by second-generation Mill Valley Market owners Doug & Dave Canepa: during the entire month of April, mention MALT
(#8000) at checkout and 3% of your total receipt will be donated to MALT. This is a special increase over the Market's usual
donation of 2%, available any time you shop.

That's all there is to it! The best part is that 100% of Mill Valley Market's donation will go to directly to MALT.

Our thanks to the Canepas and Mill Valley Market for their support of locally grown food and family farms. When you do your
shopping, be sure to say "MALT sent me!"

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Just say "Oui!"

to Earth Day
April 22
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in continental style at Marché aux Fleurs.
This feast to benefit MALT has become an annual tradition as owners Dan and Holly
Baker once again prepare one of their special dinner menus in honor of farmland
preservation. Named for French farmers' markets, the intimate Ross restaurant is a
generous supporter of MALT and of Marin's family farms. Dan and Holly source fresh,
The outdoor patio at Marché aux Fleurs
local ingredients at the farmers' market and produce everything possible in-house,
including bread, bacon, cured meats, pasta, and ice cream. For reservations, visit their website or phone 415-925-9200.

April 24
The celebration continues at College of Marin on Saturday with the free, family-friendly Earth Day Marin
birthday bash brought to you by MALT, Hannah Doress Events, and others. You won't want to miss the
great music, awesome local organic food, and the lineup of standout speakers like Book Passage's Bill
Petrocelli, garden writer Annie Spiegelman, and others. Visit www.earthdaymarin.org for up to the minute
information.

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 Corda Ipoleto Barn by Richard Lindenberg

Don't miss out!

Art show preview sale & luncheon tickets selling fast
The 13th annual Ranches & Rolling Hills Landscape Art Show & Sale is coming soon. Announcements have been mailed and
excitement has started to build. Already, art show fans in-the-know are sending in their reservations for the special preview
luncheon by return mail or by visiting www.malt.org to take advantage of our new online registration.

The preview sale & luncheon gives buyers a first chance to view and purchase remarkable art by the 43 participating artists and
also enjoy delicious food and wine from Marin farms & ranches prepared by Pamela Ferrari Catering. Tickets are $175/person.
This event always sells out, so be sure to order your tickets now. Register online or call 415-663-1158.

After the luncheon, admission is free to the public from 2-5 P.M. on May 15 and from 10 A.M.-4 P.M. on May 16. Location: Druid's
Hall on the Village Square in Nicasio. For more information and a preview of the show, visit our website. Fifty percent of all sales
go to support MALT's work of preserving Marin County farmland.

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Got milk?
Yes, and then some...
In 2008, dairy accounted for 56% of Marin's agricultural production, to the tune of more than $35.5 million dollars. Unfortunately for
local producers, this revenue has not translated into profit. These days in Marin, and elsewhere in California, the dairy business is,
financially speaking, a losing proposition.

Hard hit by the combination of low milk prices and high feed prices, the industry has been operating in the red for well over a year.
Even the organic industry, somewhat immune from conventional dairy woes in the past, is feeling the squeeze.

One of the primary "culprits" in this story is the glut of milk and dairy products flooding the market throughout the country, pushing
down the price for California products. Clover Stornetta, the largest purchaser of organic milk in the area, is struggling to remain
competitive with other organic milk processors. As a result, it has required its dairy families to reduce production by about 25%,
while at the same time offering those families a lower price for the same product. No one is pointing fingers, though, for the
economics are clear: as long as supply outweighs demand, prices will suffer the consequences.

So is the milk carton half full or half empty? Certainly, some dairy families see little cause for optimism, while others are looking
forward to 2010 being "less bad" than 2009. Some may leave the dairy business, but others see this as an opportunity to diversify
their operations and are hopeful that recent USDA rulings will level the playing field for local pasture-based family dairies. There
are still others who are simply committed to continuing the work their families started generations ago: raising happy cows that
produce some of the country's best milk.
So let's support Marin's dairy families: buy local milk and dairy products whenever possible!

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Photo by Paige Green

Milking a goat at Windrush Farm Photo by Caroline Kraus

Farm Field Studies

A fast sell-out
One of our most popular education offerings is the Farm Field Studies (FFS) program which brings students from throughout the
Bay Area to farms in West Marin. These field trips are such favorites with teachers that the entire spring season is already full!
This school year alone, we will provide over 1,500 children with the opportunity for hands-on learning about local food, farming,
and nutrition.
Accommodating all the schools that are interested in this program requires funding. We've been working hard to promote FFS to
donors who specifically want to support educating children about the value local farms bring to a community. We recently received
generous gifts from Straus Family Creamery, Veritable Vegetables, and several others, designated to support this program.

If you are interested in making a donation, or if your business is interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Deborah
White, MALT's Annual Giving Officer.

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