AFT Names Sarah Keiser New California Regional Director

(Washington, DC) American Farmland Trust has named Sarah Keiser as California Regional Director, where she will develop and lead programs to advance AFT's mission to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land in the Golden State.

"Healthy farmland is the foundation of healthy communities," said Keiser. "I'm honored to join American Farmland Trust and work alongside partners across California to protect our agricultural lands, continue to advance regenerative stewardship and create lasting opportunities for farmers, ranchers, and future generations."

Before joining AFT, Keiser served as Senior Grant Manager for Conservation Works, where she managed state and federal conservation grants, built partnerships among public agencies and nonprofit organizations, and helped landowners access funding and technical assistance to reduce wildfire risk while improving ecological health. She led the implementation of more than $11 million in state and federal conservation and wildfire resilience funding across Northern California. She also managed a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) grant, overseeing more than $5.2 million in funding across seven counties to help agricultural producers implement wildfire resilience practices.

As Founder and CEO of Wild Oat Hollow, Keiser built community grazing cooperatives and collaborative land stewardship initiatives that help farmers, ranchers, landowners, and public agencies address wildfire risk, drought resilience, and ecosystem health through regenerative agricultural practices.

"A strategic thinker, coalition builder, and trusted leader, Sarah brings a unique combination of agricultural expertise, program development experience, fundraising and grant-management skills, and deep relationships across California's farming, conservation, and public-sector communities, making her exceptionally well-qualified to serve as our next California Regional Director," said AFT Pacific Northwest Regional Director and Western Managing Director Addie Candib. "We're very excited about the impact Sarah will bring to our California operation and programs."

As the nation's agricultural engine, California has more than 400 commodities, including one-third of the nation's vegetables and three-quarters of fruits and nuts, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Yet, as the state is projected to lose 50,000 acres of farm and ranchland per year, according to the California Department of Conservation, threatening the country's food system, AFT's work in the state is critical.

"Sarah will help shape California's agriculture and conservation future, drive program development, cultivate powerful partnerships, and advance fundraising efforts," said Candib. "She will play a pivotal role in expanding AFT's impact statewide and help implement our new Thriving Farms and Ranches initiative across California. We’re also thrilled that Tom Stein will continue with AFT as California Regional Deputy Director, bringing his deep expertise and ongoing leadership to support our direct work with farmers and ranchers across the state."

Keiser also serves as Co-Director of the board for the California Alliance for Family Farmers (CAFF).  She and her family reside in Penngrove, California.

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American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms No Food® message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally sound farming practices on millions of additional acres, and supported thousands of farm families.