In Marin County, local leaders are putting real money—$1,416,835—into building a healthier, more resilient food system. They’re distributing these funds through competitive matching grants under the Food, Agriculture and Resilient Ecosystems (FARE) program.
This funding is supporting 35 nonprofit programs all over the county. There’s everything from school and community gardens in San Rafael and Novato to ecosystem work on working lands in West Marin, all built on Parks Measure A—the quarter-cent sales tax voters approved in 2022 to keep sustainable food systems alive.
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Marin County’s FARE Grants Make a Difference Across Communities
This recent grant cycle shows a pretty deliberate, equity-forward mindset. County parks staff got 47 applications in fall 2025, with groups requesting almost $4.3 million, and they used an equity-focused review to highlight projects that serve vulnerable folks across the county—from San Anselmo to Sausalito, Fairfax to Point Reyes Station.
The total allocation of $1.4 million is going to fund a big mix of initiatives that boost local food security and working lands. These grants fit into a larger plan to expand gardens, diversify food options, support new farmers, and push countywide food security planning so Marin can weather whatever climate or economic curveballs come next.
Projects by the Numbers: Where the Money Goes
- School and community gardens in towns like San Rafael, Novato, and Sausalito to grow fresh produce and teach nutrition.
- Prescribed burning and ecosystem upgrades on working lands in West Marin—think Pt. Reyes Station and Bolinas.
- Help for new farmers joining Marin’s agricultural scene, making local markets stronger and farms more viable.
- Projects that build climate resilience, conserve soil, and protect biodiversity in places like Mill Valley and Tiburon.
- Funding for partnerships that amplify impact through collaboration with local groups and institutions.
Equity and Collaboration Shaping the Grants
The selection process really leaned into projects that fill funding gaps and show real or potential impact, while also building strong partnerships across Marin’s civic landscape. County staff teamed up with the Marin Food Policy Council, Marin Community Foundation, and the HEAL Collaborative, plus internal departments like UC Cooperative Extension and Health and Human Services, to shape priorities that actually reflect what the community needs.
To keep things fair and open, the county used its Race Equity Budget Tool and asked for community input during the grant selection. This approach fits with Marin’s bigger push for inclusive growth in places like San Rafael, Marin City, and the rural West Marin corridors.
Priorities and Criteria
The grant criteria focused on a few main goals: filling funding gaps, showing evidence or potential impact, and leveraging partnerships with schools, nonprofits, farms, and local government. Every proposal had to include some kind of match—cash or in-kind support—but there wasn’t a set minimum, so applicants could get creative and pull in local resources from towns like Novato, Ross, Mill Valley, and beyond.
What This Means for Marin County’s Food Security
Measure A is expected to bring in about $4.8 million for the FARE program over six years, or around $800,000 each year. This steady funding means Marin can keep making progress on resilient food systems, with annual cycles that build on what’s working and tackle new challenges in places from Kentfield to Point Reyes Station.
Officials are already seeing results: more local gardens, a wider range of foods for residents, support for new farmers, and ongoing planning for countywide food security that includes both urban areas like San Anselmo and rural West Marin.
Local Impact: A Look at Marin Towns
Specific towns across Marin—like San Rafael, Mill Valley, Tiburon, and Novato—stand to benefit as FARE investments roll out. In Sausalito and Fairfax, community gardens and wildlife-friendly improvements should make fresh food more accessible. Over in Larkspur and Corte Madera, working lands projects aim to keep farming practices healthy for the soil and support regional markets and school meals. West Marin communities—Point Reyes Station, Bolinas, and nearby areas—will see ecosystem upgrades that tie farming to conservation, hopefully keeping things resilient for years to come.
Looking Ahead: The Role of Measure A in Sustaining Local Food Systems
As Marin rolls out these grants, the focus stays on equitable access and building strong partnerships. They want to see real, measurable impact.
Measure A funding, along with honest collaboration and an equity-driven process, helps the county tackle future challenges. Marin’s farms, schools, and neighborhoods have a better shot at staying well fed with this approach.
Towns like San Anselmo, Ross, and Fairfax keep sharing updates. People can probably expect more momentum in 2026, as the county chases long-term plans for food security and climate resilience.
All of this happens across the Bay Area’s most diverse rural-urban landscape. It’s a lot to take in, but the push for resilient ecosystems feels real.
Note: This synthesis reflects the program’s aims and outcomes as described by Marin County Parks and its partners. Local communities—from the Marinwood area in San Rafael to the gateway towns of Novato and Sausalito—are seeing the effects of the FARE initiative.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin County allocates $1.4 million in grant funding to boost food systems and working lands
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