Acres of farmland and ranchland protected in perpetuity through agricultural conservation easements.
Acres under reduced development pressure due to smart land-use planning and tax policies.
Catalyzed in federal and state funds to help farmers and ranchers adopt new conservation practices or protect their land.
Every acre of farmland protected, every farmer or rancher supported, and every partnership built contributes to a more resilient agricultural future. Across the country, we work alongside farmers, ranchers, and landowners to protect farmland, promote sound farming practices, and keep farmers on the land. These relationships keep us grounded in real-world challenges while allowing us to test and scale innovative solutions. The stories featured here highlight the tangible impact of this work, demonstrating how our programs are helping people and communities thrive while shaping a more sustainable future for agriculture.
Lucinda Williams’ story of farming at Luther Belden Farm highlights how generations of stewardship, innovation and care for the soil can help sustain both a farm and the community around it.
Lindsay Allen’s journey to agroforestry shows how integrating trees, crops and soil health can create a more resilient and diversified farm in the face of climate change.
Margaret Gichuki’s journey from Kenya to Massachusetts shows how cultural knowledge, traditional soil practices and women-led farming can take root across generations and continents.
Yun-Yun Li’s farming journey shows how soil health, cultural knowledge and community can come together to build more resilient farms—one small change at a time.
Kat Chang is helping put Massachusetts poultry on the map by connecting local chicken farming, community education, animal care and soil stewardship at Reed Farm.
Amanda Lee-Milner grew up on Highfield Hollow Farm, an operation begun by her parents in 1972, where they raised sheep, goats, and honey. Amanda is now the primary operator of the farm, which is situated on 90 acres in Gardners, Pennsylvania, producing mostly the same products as her parents.
“Our food is our medicine”. For Rowan, healthy soil is not only making the land and animals healthier, but it also contributes to human health; by nourishing the soil, she can then provide nourishing food to others.
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Nina is the full-time farm manager for Common Roots Farm, a 4.5-acre market garden farm where people with disabilities work together to grow healthy food, beautiful flowers, and build lasting friendships located in Santa Cruz, California. They will use the grant to purchase more long handled shovels, spades, metal rakes, hula hoes, a T-post pounder, wheelbarrows and gorilla carts and gorilla tubs for our farm.
Abdi Haji of Umoja Na Uhuru (“Unity and Freedom”) World Farm operates a Community Supported Agriculture program that provides fresh vegetables for 26 families in the Boise area. He received a Brighter Future Fund grant that allowed him to continue upgrading his farm by investing in multiple pieces of equipment that allow for faster hand tilling, precision seeding, and lettuce harvesting.
Carlos Aguilera and Lorena Mendoza own a 10+ acre farm that is Certified Organic by NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC, located in Ithaca, NY. Carlos is constructing a walk-in cooler for his farm with funding support from the Brighter Future Fund. Cold storage for crops through winter will help support their staff and family with income while ensuring access to healthy food for their CSA customers.
California Ranch at Bodega is using prescribed fires and grazing as ways to mitigate uncontrolled fires more effectively, cheaply, and in the case of grazing, create an economic benefit. Learn more and how AFT's Brighter Fund farm grant assisted in a water system to safely handle these prescribed burns.
Elaine; owner of Old Homestead Alpacas in Walla Walla deals with wind that is a significant challenge to the flower subscription that she offers from the flowers she grows. She will use the Brighter Future Fund award to put up a strong chain-link slat fence on the property line that will more effectively stop the winds.
