We’re excited to gather with our community to share updates on our work and connect with you. Come hear about our new five-year strategic plan and learn how you can get more involved in shaping the future of the CFLT and farmland preservation efforts in the South Sound.
Before the potluck, several partner organizations and local businesses will be tabling onsite. Stop by to meet community partners like Farm + Flourish, Thurston Conservation District, Eat Local First, Olympia Farmers Market, Sustainability in Prisons Project, and more. You’ll also hear from farmers and partners as they share about their work in our region.
We’d love to make this year’s potluck the best one yet! Last year we welcomed around 80–90 attendees, so if you’re able, please consider bringing a dish that can serve 10–15 people. A potluck sign-up sheet is available to help us coordinate dishes.
I’m writing to Community Farm Land Trust members and friends — everyone who cares about farmland preservation and habitat conservation, people who eat local food, and all who understand the importance of preserving farmland in our region, helping new farmers gain access to land, and sustaining a strong local food economy.
At this time of year, as the days grow longer and warmer and our farmers begin to shift gears from their winter “rest,” it’s a good time to look back at what we accomplished in 2025 and ahead to what lies before us.
While we experienced many successes this year, there is still much work to be done. Last year, we did not meet our funding goal at our primary Farms Forever fundraiser. As we move forward and begin implementing our 2026–2031 Strategic Plan, I invite you to help us continue and expand this work through whatever generous support you are able to provide.
We would be honored to have you join us in our endeavors. Whether through board membership, volunteerism, or financial support, we value our community and look forward to continuing this work together.
In Community,
Rachel Friedman Board Chair, Community Farm Land Trust
Keep reading below for the 2025 Annual Report and Online Election of Board of Directors for 2026!
Because we are a Community Farm Land Trust, our Board of Directors, both new and continuing, are elected annually by the membership. If you are a supporter, you are a member.
VOTE FOR BOARD CANDIDATES
Please vote to approve or disapprove this slate of board candidates below.
2026 SLATE OF CANDIDATES
New Board Member or Board Members Up for Renewal of 3 year Terms
Colin Barricklow (Renewal)
Sarah George (New)
CONTINUING ON THE BOARD
Rachel Friedman
Joe Shorin
Tina Wagner
Mackenzie McCall
Andrew Moiseff
Toby Schofield
For more information, on our new board members, keep reading below!
In 2025, CFLT continued advancing farmland preservation and stewardship across our region:
Worked with a farmer interested in donating a conservation easement on a 124-acre farm in Lewis County.
Completed preliminary discussions and evaluation toward a potential agricultural conservation easement on an urban Olympia farm.
Applied for Conservation Futures funding to acquire a 25-acre Thurston County farm; the application was withdrawn when the owner chose another buyer.
Extended a ten-year banking agreement for a portion of Kirsop Farm’s water rights with the Washington Water Trust.
In partnership with Thurston Conservation District, Creekside Conservancy, and dedicated volunteers, completed a long-overdue habitat project installing a new culvert and beaver deceiver at Kirsop Farm — improving fish habitat while allowing the farmer lessee wet-season field access.
Began development of a data-integrated analytic tool to identify and prioritize prime farmland in Thurston County.
Applied for Agriculture Open Space designation to improve affordability for a lessee farmer (decision expected in 2026).
Community Connection & Engagement
Welcomed more than 80 community members, farmers, and partners to the Annual Meeting at South Bay Grange, featuring a potluck, presentations, vendors, and a square dance.
Partnered with C.A.R.E. Wellness Center and Common Ground CSA to host an end-of-season farm tour and community potluck.
Continued outreach through events including the Colvin Ranch anniversary, Thurston Conservation District Harvest Festival, and WSU/TCD Succession Planning for Farmers event.
CFLT Staff, board, and volunteers joined GRuB volunteers in building kitchen gardens.
Organizational Growth & Capacity Building
Conducted extensive interviews with allies, partners, and community members to develop the 2026–2031 Strategic Plan.
Participated in Washington Association of Land Trusts executive and farmland affinity groups and a Tribal Engagement Training Series.
Contributed to the Black River Watershed Conservation Strategies working group supporting Oregon Spotted Frog conservation.
Hired a part-time contractor, supported by an EPA grant through DFW and TCD, to strengthen policy development and inter–land trust collaboration.
CFLT Mission-Promoting vibrant local food and farming systems through community supported farmland preservation strategies, educational outreach, and partnerships that increase opportunities for farms and farmers to flourish
Over the next five years, CFLT will focus on four integrated priorities:
Permanently Preserve Farmland
Strengthen partnerships and clarify CFLT’s role in regional preservation efforts.
Expand outreach to farmland owners and stakeholders.
Increase the pace and scale of strategic farmland protection.
Implement effective stewardship and monitoring practices.
Increase Farmers’ Access to Affordable Land
Facilitate equitable access to CFLT-owned properties and maintain fair lease arrangements.
Strengthen Organizational Sustainability
Transition toward a governing and fundraising board structure.
Invest in building a diverse and well-supported staff to meet our growing organizational goals.
Diversify revenue and strengthen financial management.
Incorporate equity throughout organizational practices.
Grow and engage membership.
Guided by our enduring mission,we are committed to working smarter through partnerships, proactively identifying at-risk farmland, professionalizing operations, and strengthening financial and staffing capacity.
Build Community Support for Local Food Systems
Deepen community connections to farms and farmers while building public support for farmland preservation.
2025 Financial Report
2025 Income
Membership / Donations:
$27,067
Grants-$30,000
Fresh from the
Farm Guide-$36,921
Events-$58,343
Other - $23,178
$10,512 (structure rent)
$12,615 (land rent)
$51 (interest earned)
Notes
Excluded: Interest and Investment Income
2025 Expenses
Programs-$186,335
Professional
Services-$42,942
Administration- $4,489
Misc.- $13,729
$9,211 (taxes &
insurance)
$3,221 (office rent)
$2,380 (technology)
Notes
Programs: Includes fundraising in program expenses
Professional Services: Includes employee admin time (same program allocation as 2022)
Misc:Space Rent: Included rental expense from storage unit
Come Grow with Us!
Join the CFLT Board of Directors
The Board is currently seeking new members to help in our work. It is essential for us to have a board with many talents that represents the diversity of our community. You can learn more about volunteering on our website or you can speak to any Board member.
The Community Farm Land Trust is a membership-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving farmland and to keeping it farmed forever. Based in Olympia, WA, it concentrates in Thurston, Mason, Lewis and Grays Harbor counties. At present the organization consists of a working board of directors, a 3 person part-time staff, volunteers, and a general membership. CFLT has stewardship responsibility for four farming properties: Scatter Creek Farm and Conservancy leased to Kirsop Farm, Oyster Bay Farm, the production ground for GRuB (Garden-Raised Bounty) a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization working with youth and communities at the intersection of food, education, and health and Common Ground CSA.
