February 17th, 2022
Last week I had a powerful conversation with a Midwest farmer who told me:
Protecting our farm from development with an agricultural conservation easement was one of the best decisions we ever made. It made it financially possible for my mom to bring my husband and I fully into the farming operation, and we’ve been able to implement so many more great conservation practices over the past decade. My mom can see that her legacy is secure– that our family farm will always remain a farm.”
-Midwest Family Farm Owner
All of us at American Farmland Trust are intent on seeing more success stories like this one come to fruition. That’s why we leverage every possible funding source we can– federal and state funding, foundation grants, corporate support, and individual donations of all sizes– to continue the critical work of protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.
Many of you are already financial supporters of American Farmland Trust, and for that I give a resounding “Thank You!” As the story above demonstrates, your support is making a real difference to farm families right here in the Midwest.
If at any time you would like to learn more about supporting AFT’s work with a gift of cash, stock, farmland, or making provision in your will, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. There are so many ways to help advance AFT’s mission and crucial programs that keep farmers on the land and doing right by the land. Whether through your annual membership contribution, or a legacy gift structured for your needs, AFT is committed to stewarding these resources with great care. In some instances, AFT also works directly with farmland owners to purchase their farms and protect the land from development, which can create a win-win for families planning smart.
Right now, there is a lot to be hopeful about – special projects advancing soil health, agricultural policy, and innovative tactics to help individuals and families plan for the future of their farmland so it stays in farming, just to name a few.
I welcome the chance to speak with you about how your support makes a difference, and how you can secure your legacy, just like my farmer friends did.