What is “U.S. Farmed”?

Celebrate the bounty of American farms with us—a testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work behind every product bearing the U.S. Farmed seal.

The U.S. Farmed certification is much more than just a label. It represents a commitment to strengthen and sustain American agriculture. By choosing U.S. Farmed certified products, you’re not just making a buying decision; you’re:

• Supporting farmers: When you choose U.S. Farmed, you’re sending a clear message: you value the work of American farmers and want to see them succeed. This translates to increased demand for American-grown ingredients, creating a more stable and profitable environment for our farmers, especially those facing the challenges who will farm the land next.
• Investing in the future: By encouraging domestic production, U.S. Farmed helps AFT preserve farmland, a vital resource for future generations. This ensures a secure and sustainable food supply for all Americans.

The U.S. Farmed seal is an independent, third-party audited certification and traceability standard that means the product carrying it was made with a minimum of 95% US-grown agricultural products. Choosing a product with the U.S. Farmed seal supports American Farmland Trust’s efforts to keep farmers on the land and permanently protect farmland in the U.S. By choosing a U.S. Farmed certified product, you not only know where your food is coming from, but you’re choosing to support farm viability and local economies for decades to come.

Why does farmland protection matter?

With one-third of America’s agricultural land facing ownership transitions in the next 20 years, family farmers and the land they steward are at risk. Meanwhile, would-be farmers often can’t afford to enter the field as prime farmland land is sold, paved over, and fragmented. When we protect farmland, we are not only preserving the source of our food but also fostering opportunities for local farmers and businesses to flourish.

 “The viability of farm operations is a key to saving the land that sustains us. U.S. Farmed standards encourage businesses to continue sourcing from American farmers, nourishing farm viability for generations to come. “

American Farmland Trust created the conservation agriculture movement, which speaks for the land—and for the people who grow our food. As the movement’s leaders, we have three priorities: protecting agricultural land, promoting forward-looking farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land. The U.S. Farmed seal is a new way for like-minded companies and brands to show their support for U.S. farmers and for the public to more easily make choices that directly support American farmers.

What does AFT do to protect farmland and ranchland?

• Programs & Projects
  • We help protect farms and ranches that will be more affordable for incoming farmers.
  • We help aging farmers and ranchers consider options for their property.
  • We train and support professionals from across the nation who help would-be farmers and ranchers secure the right land and take on a new business.
  • We operate the New York Farmland Finder and Farmland Advisers New Jersey.
  • We assist other farmland finder and farm-link programs across the nation.
  • We create markets for farmers by linking them to schools and other institutions in New York.
  • We support a national network of farm viability service providers.
  • We operate the Farmland Information Center, which provides a web-based clearinghouse of data about protecting agricultural land and a first-stop answer service for anyone with questions.
  • We lead the National Agricultural Land Network that supports private agricultural land trusts that hold easements and state, regional, and local programs that fund farmland protection.
  • We protect agricultural land ourselves by acquiring and holding easements where that makes strategic sense.

• Research
  • We conduct regular studies on farmer demographics.
  • We evaluate farmland access tools and policies.
  • We maintain the nation’s most comprehensive land-cover map and database.
  • We study trends in farmland loss.
  • We publish state policy scorecards that show what each state does to advance farmland protection.
  • We study how avoiding the conversion of agricultural land to developed land reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
• Policy
  • We advocate for state-based programs for farmland access and farm viability.
  • We advocate for the federal Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program in the Farm Bill.
  • We advocate for changes in federal tax policy, which will ease the transition of land to the next generation.
  • We advocate for current-use taxation that provides property tax breaks for land that is farmed.
  • We advocate for smart growth that reduces development pressure on agricultural lands.
  • We champion state and local programs that purchase easements.
  • We champion the federal Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, or ACEP, that funds easement purchases.

Sign up below to get a free Keep America Bountiful® bumper sticker!

Today, our nation’s most productive and resilient land is at risk of being fragmented or lost to development, and farmers face increasing pressure from thinner margins and a changing climate.

The Keep America Bountiful® campaign seeks to raise awareness of and generate support for policies and programs to make productive use of our agricultural resources and ensure their continued availability for future generations of Americans.

Supporting families on the farm is the reason why we launched the Keep America Bountiful® campaign. Since 1980, AFT has helped farmers protect more than 7.8 million acres across the U.S., while supporting regenerative agriculture practices on millions more.

Complete the form below to receive your free Keep America Bountiful® campaign sticker (please limit one sticker to each U.S. address).

We are working to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.