Matching Gift Campaign - Littlerock Farm

We have launched a Matching Gift Campaign
to acquire 95 acres of productive farmland near Littlerock.

For the past 100 years this land has been used to produce hay, livestock, poultry and grain and we want to see it continue that heritage. The property also has second growth forest and a salmon-bearing stream. While we work on preserving the farmland portion, Capitol Land Trust is working on raising the funds to preserve the forest and habitat .

By purchasing this farm, we'll be helping two families:

• The farmers who own this land have farmed it for more than 35 years. They want to stay on the land but downsize their own operations to a small portion of it. They want to see their farming legacy continue on the rest of the land. By purchasing this first section of the farm this year we will have the option to preserve the remaining acreage in the future.
• A new farmer (or farmers) who wouldn't otherwise have access to a parcel like this will get a chance to grow their farm business. This coming winter we will ask for proposals from farmers ready to expand their operations or in danger of losing access to rented land. Our goal is to select two families to be on the land by the end of 2018

Why does this project matter? 

• Without local farms, there is no local food.
• Thurston County alone has lost more than 75% of its working farmland since the mid-1950s; and two-thirds of our remaining farmland is expected to change hands over the next 20 years.
• Many young farmers are eager to continue farming in our region; however, as more land is converted from farming to residential and commercial development, their future in farming is at risk. In recent surveys, interviews, and panels, these farmers say that land affordability is a key barrier to staying in farming. There is a dire need for more permanently preserved, affordable working farmland to grow food for our region.

What will it cost? 

• We are currently raising the final $31,500 to fund the whole project. Meeting this goal will allow us to purchase these 95 acres of farmland in early spring 2018.
• The total cost of the Littlerock Farm Acquisition Project will be $420,000.

How can I help?

• We are asking everyone who supports SSCFLT and local farmland to help us raise $31,500 by mid-February, 2018. This is enough to purchase 7 acres of farmland.
• With the matching funds, these 7 acres will become 77 acres. Several generous donors are supporting this project, one of these donors has committed to matching your donation by funding 10 acres for every acre the community contributes, up to 70 acres. 
• Three other donors have pledged to fund the remaining 18 acres bringing us to 95!

Please consider making a contribution today to help preserve this farm. The beauty of doing this together as a community is that every 1 acre gift, every ½ acre gift, every ¼ acre gift - every gift adds up and multiplies to more than we could ever hope to accomplish alone.

Ready to help fund this project?
We accept donations online, or checks made to SSCFLT can be mailed to P.O. Box 12118 Olympia, WA 98508.