Community Farm Land Trust
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Why Preserve
​Farmland?

"No issue will be more important to 21st century America than how we use our dwindling land resources. The competition for land—especially productive agricultural land—will intensify as our population grows and communication technologies make it easier for us to live and work in widely dispersed communities. The irreplaceable land that produces our food and provides us with scenic open space, wildlife habitat, and clean water is increasingly at risk from urban sprawl and rural subdivisions. To ensure a prosperous future, we must save our farmland. ”
​- William K. Reilly, 
Former EPA Administrator (Saving American Farmland, 1997) 
Local working farmland provides a multitude of benefits to the community:
  • Local food production and food security.
  • Supports biodiversity and increases habitat for wildlife, flora and fauna.
  • Recharges groundwater and aquifers and improves carbon sequestration.
  • Provides a resilient agricultural and food production economy. 
  • Balances local development with supplying food for the increasing population’s food needs.
  • Improves the overall health of our local community members by creating better access to healthy, nutrient dense food.
  • Creates community around food and local food culture.
  • Success of the future generation of farmers and equitable access to farmland or the transfer of farmland from older generation farmers.
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In the American Farmland Trust's 2020 report, Farms Under Threat: The State of the States, they found  unprecedented insights into the status and fate of American Farmland. "From 2001-2016, 11 million acres of agricultural land were paved over, fragmented, or converted to uses that jeopardize agriculture, curtailing sustainable food production, economic opportunities, and the environmental benefits afforded by well-managed farmland and ranchland." 
Even when large parcels of prime farmland are not subdivided for development, they are still at risk of losing their water rights if they are not farmed. Once water rights are extinguished due to non-use, the ability of the land to grow most food crops is lost forever. The serious loss of food producing capability is harmful to our long term local food security. As the American Farmland Trust says, “No Farms, No Food.” 
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American Farm Land Trust, Farms Under Threat: The State of the States, 2020.
Washington is in the top 10 states with the fastest growing population. As our local population grows, farms and farmland become a vital resource in our community’s food security. It is imperative to preserve local farmland, so that we can sustain a healthy balance of smart growth development strategies while maintaining our local food systems. This takes a committed network of community partners focused on farmland preservation that includes; city and county planners, local agencies, conservation districts, and organizations like the Community Farm Land Trust. Our work at the Trust is focused on preserving working agriculture land and fostering conservation easements. 

Thurston County’s population has been growing steadily every year, thousands of new residents are putting pressure on the land. This growth has led to an unfortunate loss of farms and farming. The county has one of the largest rates of loss of farmland in Western Washington. From a 1 acre urban garden that produces over 10,000 pounds of food a year to hundred acre parcels associated with dairies or livestock production, Thurston county has – and needs – a diversity of farms and farmers. Farmland provides local foods, local economies, and open space. Future plans for the county define how many new roads, sewers, and schools will be needed, but what about farmland? As Thurston County continues to grow, development pressure on farmland will only increase.
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In order to preserve working farmland in our region, we need fertile, productive farmland. We also need a new generation of skilled farmers able to work the land. In Washington State, the average farmer, 65 or older, is more than 5 times the amount of farmers under the age 35. Success for this new generation of farmers and ranchers is dependent upon their access and ability to secure suitable and affordable land to sustain and expand their operations and production. The Community Farm Land Trust can play a vital role in transferring land from older generations to new generation farmers and creating more equitable access to farmland. Developing and maintaining a new generation of skilled farmers able to work the land is crucial to sustaining local food production for our communities.​
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Got Land?
Local farmland and food production is essential to our environment by meeting the demands of climate change and providing habitat for wildlife. Regenerative farming  practices can improve water and air quality, enhance ecosystem biodiversity, produce nutrient-dense food, and store carbon to help mitigate the effects of climate change. In addition, the open land helps to recharge groundwater levels and it can also help to increase yields as we address climate change for our local agricultural and food production. Thurston County relies almost exclusively on ground water for its population. ​
"While all agricultural lands have value, they are not all created equal. Thus, it is important to concentrate food and crop production on soils that offer optimum productivity, versatility, and resiliency. If we destroy the land best suited for cultivation, we drive production to marginal land with fragile soils, reducing overall ecological benefits. Beyond that, we weaken the viability of the agricultural sector." (AFT, State of States Report, 2020) ​
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Local farms play a vital role in assisting food banks with food insecurity in our communities. Many farms grow food directly for people in need or donate leftovers or excess crops from harvest.
Donated food from farms improves the health of all our community members through greater access to fresh, nutrient dense foods. Food banks have become even more essential and help bridge the gap for people who are food insecure and do not qualify for other types of nutritional assistance programs.  
Historically, communities have revolved around food. We gather together at our tables with friends and families to celebrate, to support, to comfort, to share, and to connect with each other. Food has always been a tool for connection among people. Traditions and cultures are passed down through the recipes of our ancestors. When we take the time to learn from each other's cultural heritage, we cultivate a better understanding of others' traditions and cultures, and create more tolerance amongst our differences. ​
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Local farmland supports our regional food system by filling our groceries stores, farmers markets, food co-operatives, and food banks with the freshest, local produce, products, and ingredients. This reduces the carbon footprint of transportation and distribution of our food. The more we support local farms through our purchasing power, the more dollars are invested back into our communities. Consumers can take pride in knowing where the food comes from and who grows it. Our Fresh from the Farm Guide is a valuable food and farm resource connecting you with local farms and products, farmers markets, food banks, and farmers.  Learn more about our work and guide below.  ​
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Visit our Resources Page for Farmer Resources, Ag-related organizations, agencies and more! 

View our Resources Page Here

OUR WORK

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Farmland Preservation

CFLT partners with landowners and farmers to protect farmland for agricultural production forever. We are especially interested in conserving farmland that is 20 acres or more in size, and that has active water rights with prime agricultural soils. However, if you own or know of any kind of farmland in our service area that you would like to see conserved, please contact us.  We use two main methods to conserve farmland:
  • The Community Farm Land Trust Model of Farmland Preservation  
  • Agricultural Conservation Easements
CFLT Farmland
Preservation
​in action
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Fresh from the Farm Guide

The Fresh from the Farm guide is produced annually as a part of our mission to support local agriculture. This has become an incredible resource to our community with 80 pages jam- packed with useful info about local farms, farmers markets, CSAs, Food Banks and Food Access in our 4 county region of Grays Harbor, Mason, Lewis, and Thurston Counties. This publication is a free resource to our community and is paid for through grants, sponsorships, advertisements, and fundraising campaigns.  
ALL ABOUT
​OUR FFTFG
Enjoy this video about how the Community Farm Land Trust preserves local farmland. 
Follow us to learn
​more our work!
From a 1 acre urban garden that produces over 10,000 pounds of food a year to hundred acre parcels associated with dairies or livestock production, Thurston county has – and needs – a diversity of farms and farmers. Farmland provides local foods, local economies, and open space. Future plans for the county define how many new roads, sewers, and schools will be needed, but what about farmland? As Thurston County continues to grow, development pressure on farmland will only increase.
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  • Home
    • Newsletters
    • News
  • About Us
    • Board & Staff
    • Seeking Board Members
    • Annual Reports
  • Our Work
    • Fresh from the Farm Guide
    • Farmland Preservation
    • Events
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Member
    • Our Supporters
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • FFTFG Payments