American Farmland Trust

I have watched the gluttonous Land Grab throughout our country. Whenever I mention the destruction of land for Housing Developments, Shopping Centers or Golf Courses, I am told it's progress. It is not for Progress, it is for Profit - And profit only. There is an enormous amount of unused and/or abandoned properties, both residential and commercial, that are readily available for building without further destruction to our farms and open lands. For the last 10 years I have watched the destruction of South West Florida. Every parcel of land that made the area the beautiful area it was has become a Publix, Walgreens, CVS, golf course or Shopping Mall. It is painful to see.

We have been supporters of AFT for a number of years, having immediately been impressed with their mission when we first heard of them. Living in California, we are keenly aware of the need for food producing areas to remain agricultural, and for all people to have access to healthy food grown on family-owned farms.
We appreciate that AFT approaches it's mission on a variety of fronts:
being involved in promoting good national farm policy, limiting urban encroachment into food-producing areas, saving family farms and reporting on such farms and farmers all across the country. AFT has been a huge promoter of farmers markets also.
AFT does a wonderful job of keeping in touch with its donors with an excellent news magazine, personal visits to generous donors when a staff member is in town, and occasional mailings of a product grown on a family farm, with explanation of the good framing practices used to grow it.
Our experience is that AFT is always true to its mission in the initiatives it takes, but is flexible enough to change its emphasis as they evaluate the agricultural needs and problems of our country.

I worked for American Farmland Trust for five years and learned that there is no group that cares more about protecting America's farms and ranches than AFT. "No Farms, No Food" became our mantra, and in the years since I worked there I've seen this idea spread around the country. Because of AFT, people are realizing how important farms and ranches are in their lives. My own life changed for the better when I started shopping at farmers' markets and making the connection between local food and better health. I have AFT to thank for that.

In 2010, Peeled Snacks, makers of organic, gently-dried fruit snacks, entered a partnership with the American Farmland Trust to aid in its mission to help farmers and ranchers protect their land, produce a healthier environment, and build successful communities. The AFT's "No Farms, No Food" message resonates strongly with our philosophy at Peeled Snacks. As a company we believe in the importance of eating food as close to natural as possible, and in growing it as close to home as possible. The AFT has been a wonderful partner with whom to work, and we value the work that they are doing and appreciate all of their support and that of their members.

I was raised on a cattle ranch in the San Luis Valley of Colorado where my ancestors started raising cattle and horses in 1875. My father and grandfathers raised us to be good stewards of our water and grassland resources and were early participants in conservation practices, like "rotational grazing", livestock and wildlife water development, establishing recreation easements on private lands with miles of fishing streams and pristine views for public use, etc. Today my uncle and his son continue to work with government and private sectors to improve land and water use and quality.

After college graduation I worked in the agricultural irrigation business, which afforded me the opportunity to work with farmers and ranches in Washington and Oregon's Columbia River basin, the San Joaquin Valley, desert farmlands of Arizona, Midwestern corn and grain growers, and, during droughts, growers in many Southeastern states.

During those years I gained a broad understanding of the challenges farmers and ranchers face when dealing with weather, droughts, fluctuating commodity markets, and the temptation to sell-out to land developers.

My first introduction to AFT came when the idea of Conservation Easements were first being introduced to ranchers as a vehicle to save critical farm and ranch lands for future generations while simultaneously improving the economic viability of the operation.

In 2002 our company, after researching nearly 100 different non-profit organizations, chose American Farmland Trust as a partner in a program we developed to: protect farm and ranch lands, educate consumers about where and how food is produced, help update and change US Farm Policy to better meet the economic, environmental, and market needs of U.S. family farmers and ranchers.

American Farmland Trust has proven to be a thought leader in forming Public Policy, a harbinger of innovative ideas aimed toward improving our nation’s watersheds, and a leading advocate of protecting farm and ranch land from development.

I am the manager of the Falls Church Farmers Market in Falls Church, Virginia. Last year the Falls Church Market won the American Farmland Trust honor as America's Favorite Market in the medium category. Working with the staff of the Trust was always a pleasure. I was impressed with the professionalism and the effective manner in which staff always stayed on message on the importance of preserving farmland. The information provided by the Trust to the Falls Church Farmers Market allowed us to promote the value of preserving farmland by supporting locally grown food. The service they provide to the community through their outreach is exemplary. Falls Church looks forward to continuing to work with the Farmland Trust to promote farmland preservation, by supporting local farmers who bring the best of local produce to the market each and every week. The American Farmland Trust is delivering a crtically valuable service by going above and beyond to educate the public about the value and improtance of preserving farmland.

I'm a fan of AFT! in the mid 1990's four ranching families in northwestern Colorado near Steamboat Springs, some of homesteader stock, engaged AFt to help us come to terms with saving the agricultural character of this mountain ranching valley - one of the few still surviving today. They did the job! Today some 9000 acres our of twelve privately owned between forest service boundaries are protected. Since then about 10 % of all the privately owned land in this big county has also been protected by land trusts. And a state wide land trust created by one of these family members now boosts over 350,000 acres preserved in the whole state of Colorado. The cost to get this ball rolling back then - something short of $75,000.

AFT plays a critical role in protecting the nation's farmland for the multiple benefits that it can provide -- food, open space, and a variety of environmental services. I first learned of AFT through its critical and excellent work in trying to reform and improve the US farm bill so that it maximizes the public benefits that America receives through its support of agriculture. Today, AFT continues to play a role not only in shaping national policy but also in helping to build markets for regional agriculture and in establishing ways to encourage farms to provide cleaner water, sequester carbon, and generally benefit the environment. AFT does all of this, moreover, with a relatively small staff that is highly efficient and effective.

I am a past board member of AFT and want to echo the comments of Miranda. AFT is unique in its leadership on both agricultural and environmental issues. From humble beginnings over thirty years ago, AFT has led the fight for farmland protection, convening farmers, ranchers, legislators and businesspeople who share a concern for agriculture and the environment. Farmland protection has always been a core value for AFT. It is inspiring to see the board and staff take on new challenges in promoting farm bill reform and the development of new markets for farmers and ranchers. AFT's staff is passionate and highly capable. They are supported by a terrific board with leaders from diverse backgrounds. I wish I were there to engage in the farm bill debates ahead!

In early 2010, the Rochester Public Market was nominated for "America's Favorite Farm Market". In August, 2010, our century old marketplace beat out stiff competition to win the honor from American Farmland Trust.
The contest itself serves as a vehicle to call attention to farming, and agricultural issues. Customers at farm markets across the nation cast their votes by the thousands for their favorite market. Throughout the summer of 2010, our own customer base was engaged in raising the level of farm market awareness on a weekly basis.
We are so grateful to the staff at American Farmland Trust for their support and guidance throughout the contest period. Through their efforts, our market has received local, regional and national attention. As our award plaque now hangs on the wall of the market office we recognize that it represents not just a contest, but an effort to keep farms, farm families and the importance of supporting agriculture at the forefront of our national consciousness.
Thank you American Farmland Trust for your creative approach to supporting "The Hands that Feed Us".
Joan B. Hildebrand
Rochester Public Market
Rochester, NY

I work with the City of Rochester's Public Market, and we entered into the 2010 American Farmland Trust "America's Favorite Market" contest--and won the large market category! Every aspect of our interface with American Farmland Trust was positive-- they informed and inspired our contest work every step of the way, as I am sure they were with every other entrant. When we had a question or concern, it was answered promptly and comprehensively; after we sealed the victory, the national and state offices of AFT were superbly helpful and supportive as we planned and executed an excellent celebration event and accompanying media. We were very happy with the article on our market in their national publication, too. In every way AFT helped to make our America's Favorite Farmers Market Contest experience enjoyable--and I can assure you that we would gladly provide the same testimonial even if we didn't win the contest!

I have been on the board of American Farmland Trust for many years now. I know the organization to be filled with dedicated, smart and innovative people who are making a real difference in the field of farmland conservation and the stewardship of agricultural lands generally. AFT is the only organization to stand in the crucial intersection between agriculture and the environment, an essential space with a lot of needs. Most recently the organization has become a major player in reshaping the Farm Bill.

As a farmer, the most important resource that I have available to me is the land that I farm. And as a steward of that land, my long term goal is to replenish the soil using sustainable techniques such as composting and cover cropping with leguminous crops of vetch and clover.
By far the most serious threat to my farm and farms across America is that I would loose it to urban encroachment. Each year, tens of thousands of our nations highest yielding acres are paved over for strip malls, highways and tract housing.
The American Farmland Trust (AFT) was established 30 years ago to preserve America's farms, insuring that they remain a strategic resource, providing a healthy, sustainable food supply for all Americans. Today AFT has launched initiatives to help farmers help the environment, such as the project in the mid west reducing nitrogen run off into the gulf of Mexico where currently there exists a dead zone.
Also through its Growing Local campaign, AFT is preserving farm lands by educating the consumer about the importance of supporting our nations farmers by eating wholesome and domestically produced fruits, vegetables and meats.
American Farmland Trust is who I trust to conserve and protect our farms so that our children and grand children can farm for generations to come.