July 2009 Marin Agricultural Land Trust Newsletter

Celebrate the 4th of July at the

Marin County Fair!
Now through Sunday, July 5
What better way to celebrate an All-American 4th of July than by going to the Marin County Fair? While you're there, snap a photo
or two with the "Hole-y Cow" in MALT's photo exhibit at the entrance to the Barnyard. Email your best shots to us, and we'll post
them on our Facebook page!

We're excited to have a new neighbor this year in the Barnyard: the Marin Master Gardeners Victory Garden exhibit. Docents will
guide visitors though the three Master Gardener-designed demonstration gardens to learn about edible gardening, composting,
water-wise planting, and more. Take a look at the full Fair program for more information and other agriculture-related events.

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Photo of MALT County Fair exhibit setup by Elisabeth Ptak. Every year, this team of "hay wranglers" moves hundreds of bales of
hay for the Barnyard exhibits with just hay hooks and strong backs!

Breaking News: Controlled Burn at

Chileno Valley Ranch
With MALT Stewardship staff in attendance, a 25-acre pasture at Mike and Sally Gales' Chileno Valley Ranch (protected by a
MALT easement since 2000) was set ablaze by the Marin County Fire Department July 1 in an experiment to use controlled
burning to combat the alarming spread of wooly distaff thistle. Fast-growing and extremely difficult to control, distaff thistle is a
noxious, non-native and invasive rangeland weed that is unpalatable to livestock and can quickly take over an entire pasture,
crowding out other forage. The burn had benefits for both the Gales, who will be using the burned area to experiment with different
weed control methods, and the fire crew. "It is gratifying for us to use our expertise with fire to accomplish something constructive
for land stewardship in the form of non-native species control, and also accomplish some quality training for our firefighters," said
Marin County Fire Battalion Chief Tim Thompson. "When planned and executed well, fire is an outstanding tool we have at hand to
rejuvenate rangeland."
We'll keep you posted on the results.

Photo provided by Marin County Fire Department

Drink a Pint,
Save an Acre
Tuesdays, July 14 & 28
Well, maybe the pint-per-acre ratio isn't mathematically exact, but MALT is pleased to be the
benefactor of two "Give Back Tuesdays" this month at Iron Springs Pub & Brewery in Fairfax. A
portion of all food and beverage sales on those evenings will be donated to MALT, and proceeds
raised will help preserve Marin County farmland. We're looking forward to joining in, enjoying
some delicious organic food, and raising a handcrafted pint to toast the bounty of our
irreplaceable Marin farmland as well as Iron Springs' generous community spirit.

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Photo of proprietor Mike Altman by Iron Springs Pub & Brewery

Benefit Dinner & Sale of

Marty Knapp Photographs in Berkeley
Saturday, July 25, 5-8 P.M.
How does art help preserve and protect the landscape for future generations? Join us in Berkeley for a special exhibition-closing
event for Point Reyes landscape photographer Marty Knapp. The evening will begin with a conversation at University Press Books
with Marty, Phyllis Faber, and Elisabeth Ptak of MALT, to be followed by a special dinner featuring local foods at the adjacent
Musical Offering Cafe, where Marty's photographs are on display. The conversation from 5-6 P.M. is open to the public at no
charge. There will be one dinner seating at 6 P.M. by chef Eric Balbuena (look for menu details in the coming weeks). Partial
proceeds from both the dinner and photographs sold at the event will benefit MALT.

Location: University Press Books and the Musical Offering Cafe,

2430 Bancroft Way, Berkeley,
Cost: $65 per person (Includes tax; wine not included)
Very limited seating, please call 510-849-0211 to RSVP

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Photo: "Oak and Clouds" by Marty Knapp (Barboni Ranch in background, protected by a MALT conservation easement)

Tour Organic
Farms in England
June 15-25, 2010
Britain has long been at the forefront of the organic farming movement, thanks in part to Prince
Charles' passionate involvement. As a benefit for MALT, Inverness resident and MALT supporter
Paul Coopersmith has designed "Organic Farms, Private Gardens & Country House Hotels," a
10-day tour offered June 15-25, 2010, by his company, Coopersmith's One-of-a-Kind Tours™.
Visit some of England's most celebrated organic farms and beautiful private gardens...Prince
Charles' Duchy Home Farm at Highgrove House among them. Click here for the full itinerary

Limited to 20 people, the tour price includes a $250/person tax-deductible donation to MALT, to be matched by a $250/person
contribution from Coopersmith's. For further information, contact Paul at 415-669-1914 or paul@coopersmiths.com.

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Photo by Elisabeth Ptak:
Sow & piglets at Prince Charles' Duchy Farm