Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (DEI) works to ensure equitable access
and inclusion of opportunities, benefits, and resources for all members of the Community
Farm Land Trust family. The committee will actively participate in developing a vision for
shared power with diverse racial, cultural and economic groups; and make
recommendations to the board of directors based on this vision.
The DEI Committee is comprised of CFLT staff, board members and dedicated
volunteers who share a common interest in cultivating a shared vision where diversity,
equity, and inclusion are demonstrated in everything we do.
and inclusion of opportunities, benefits, and resources for all members of the Community
Farm Land Trust family. The committee will actively participate in developing a vision for
shared power with diverse racial, cultural and economic groups; and make
recommendations to the board of directors based on this vision.
The DEI Committee is comprised of CFLT staff, board members and dedicated
volunteers who share a common interest in cultivating a shared vision where diversity,
equity, and inclusion are demonstrated in everything we do.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy
Adopted May 21, 2019
The Community Farm Land Trust is committed to incorporating the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the governance and operations of this corporation. This commitment stems from a multitude of factors that call for organizations like the CFLT to represent a change from the past. Factors include:
- Tribal Lands: We recognize that the farmland in our regions is ceded territories of the Medicine Creek Treaty Tribes, which include the Squaxin Island Tribe, the Nisqually Indian Tribe, and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. The area south of the sound was historically a center for trade and exchange among many Salish Sea tribes including Chehalis, the Skokomish, and others. With this awareness, we honor the ancestors, pay respect to elders past and present of the Medicine Creek Treaty Tribes, and to all Native peoples of this land. We’re grateful for this opportunity to support farmers on their lands. We express appreciation for their care that has allowed the land and waters to be as diverse and productive as they currently are. [adopted from language framed by the Eco-Ag faculty at TESC – Pitra Lal and Martha Rosemeyer]
- History of discrimination: The US Department of Agriculture has acknowledged and documented its historic pattern of discrimination that pushed African-American, Native American and other minority farmers off the land through decades of racially biased laws and practices. As a result, for example, while more than 10 percent of all farms were operated by African Americans 100 years ago, today only 1 percent of farms are operated by African Americans. (Summary article in The Nation, July 2010)
- Valuing Equity: In our values, we state that: “We are committed to equity of access to farmland by working to overcome the affordability barrier that some farmers face as they reach for secure land tenure. The Community Land Trust model allows farmers to develop financial equity in farm buildings and the right to lease land for farming. We believe in promoting land security, affordability, and the opportunity to build farm assets for farmers, regardless of social status.” CFLT recognizes a history of discrimination that has resulted in unequitable access and opportunity for people of color and others to acquire financial equity.
- Diversity: We welcome diversity of age, color, ability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any classification protected by federal, state or local law.
- Equity: We align our policies, practices, and resources so that people of all races, ages, cultures, socioeconomic statuses, religions, sexual orientation, gender identity, veterans status or any classification protected by federal, state or local law have genuine opportunities to thrive.
- Inclusion: We create an environment in which everyone feels valued and respected.
Land Acknowledgement for
Community Farm Land Trust's Farmland
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The Community Farm Land Trust recognizes that the Trust’s farmlands are on ancestral lands of the Salish Sea Tribes. These tribes lived along the waterways in what is now known as the Puget Sound thriving on salmon and the resources of the surrounding prairies and forests.
The Trust acknowledges that Chehalis these ancestral lands were taken by white settlers and that has left a mark. In spite of colonization and unacceptable treaty terms from the US Government, these self-governing tribes are resilient, determined, and are unified in their efforts to preserve their tribal cultures and traditions. This organization benefits from the legacy of tribal land taken by settlers. The Community Farm Land Trust acknowledges the tension between working to acquire ancestral land and preserving farmland for the benefit of our community including the interests of the Chehalis people. We stand in that tension. Land acknowledgements are an important but limited tool. The Community Farm Land Trust is committed to continuing to build relationships and support the work with the native people whose land the Trust occupies. The Trust supports the work of the tribes and we give thanks for their stewardship of this land. We look forward to creating a resilient, shared future together with our Indigenous neighbors. |
Statement of Solidarity
The Community Farm Land Trust (CFLT) stands with Black Lives Matter. We condemn demonstrated police racism against Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other people of color. We acknowledge the injustices of institutional racism. We are committed to anti-racism, which is the practice of opposing racism and promoting racial tolerance.
As a Farm Land Trust, we are aware that racism, exclusion, and displacement have been woven into the history of American agriculture. We know there is structural racism in many of our agricultural institutions and systems. Farming has many challenges, racism and discrimination should not be one of them.
Land has been taken from Indigenous people from the very beginning of white settlement of this nation. Much of White wealth was built from 400 years of slavery in agricultural fields. African-American, Japanese, Latinx and other farmers of color have been displaced from their lands throughout American history.
As an organization we want to acknowledge these historical injustices as we preserve farmland and work with farmers seeking secure access to farming. We must make sure these opportunities are equally available to people of color and those experiencing economic insecurity. CFLT is committed to working for local food sovereignty for the larger community.
The Community Farm Land Trust wants to be a more inclusive organization and to truly represent the diversity of communities in the South Sound. We’re continuing our journey and we still have work to do together.
We need to listen and learn how we can do better. In the words of Congressman and Civil Rights Leader John Lewis, we “must also study and learn the lessons of history because humanity has been involved in this soul-wrenching, existential struggle for a very long time.” We are committed to how we can show up better for our community and how we can take action without doing harm.
Please join us in learning more about anti-racism practices, take action to support local communities of color, and to support local nonprofits and organizers who are leading the push for food and farming justice.
Links
Black Lives Matter, Olympia Showing Up for Racial Justice, Land Trust Alliance, USDA Historic Practices, Japanese Confiscation of Land, National Black Food & Justice Alliance, Black Food Sovereignty Coalition, Food Justice is Racial Justice.
The Community Farm Land Trust (CFLT) stands with Black Lives Matter. We condemn demonstrated police racism against Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other people of color. We acknowledge the injustices of institutional racism. We are committed to anti-racism, which is the practice of opposing racism and promoting racial tolerance.
As a Farm Land Trust, we are aware that racism, exclusion, and displacement have been woven into the history of American agriculture. We know there is structural racism in many of our agricultural institutions and systems. Farming has many challenges, racism and discrimination should not be one of them.
Land has been taken from Indigenous people from the very beginning of white settlement of this nation. Much of White wealth was built from 400 years of slavery in agricultural fields. African-American, Japanese, Latinx and other farmers of color have been displaced from their lands throughout American history.
As an organization we want to acknowledge these historical injustices as we preserve farmland and work with farmers seeking secure access to farming. We must make sure these opportunities are equally available to people of color and those experiencing economic insecurity. CFLT is committed to working for local food sovereignty for the larger community.
The Community Farm Land Trust wants to be a more inclusive organization and to truly represent the diversity of communities in the South Sound. We’re continuing our journey and we still have work to do together.
We need to listen and learn how we can do better. In the words of Congressman and Civil Rights Leader John Lewis, we “must also study and learn the lessons of history because humanity has been involved in this soul-wrenching, existential struggle for a very long time.” We are committed to how we can show up better for our community and how we can take action without doing harm.
Please join us in learning more about anti-racism practices, take action to support local communities of color, and to support local nonprofits and organizers who are leading the push for food and farming justice.
Links
Black Lives Matter, Olympia Showing Up for Racial Justice, Land Trust Alliance, USDA Historic Practices, Japanese Confiscation of Land, National Black Food & Justice Alliance, Black Food Sovereignty Coalition, Food Justice is Racial Justice.
