2010 Annual Report - American Farmland Trust

More documents

Recommendations

Info

2 0 1 0 A n n u A l R e p o R t A m e R i c A n F A R m l A n d t R u s t } Saving the Land that Sustains Us American Farmland Trust (AFT) is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated to saving America’s farm and ranch land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices and supporting a sustainable future for farms. As the vital link among farmers, conservationists and policy makers, we’re focused on ensuring the availability of the land that provides fresh food, a healthy environment and lasting rural landscapes. Since our founding in 1980 by a group of farmers and conservationists concerned about the rapid loss of farmland to development, we’ve helped to save more than three million acres of farm and ranch land and led the way for the adoption of conservation practices on millions more. FRom the leAdeRship When we asked readers of our online newsletter to vote on a cover for this annual report, we had an inkling the cow would win. Many people love cows, and a pretty brown Jersey named Jet is hard to resist. Miranda Kaiser Jon Scholl Jet lives on a grass-based dairy farm in the Pacific Northwest, but she is part of a much larger story: one that includes consumers and farmers, animals and plants, the land and waterways and countless other resources nationwide. It is American Farmland Trust’s mission to make sure our farms, food and environment are as healthy and viable as possible. That means supporting farmers so they can make a living growing food, fiber and renewable energy for America and the world. It also means helping farmers have the resources they need to practice conservation on their land while resisting the siren’s call from developers. And it means building bridges between urban and rural residents while educating consumers and communities about the importance of American Farmland Trust’s longtime motto, No Farms, No Food.® As the nation’s leading advocate for farm and ranch land conservation, American Farmland Trust has been working hard to save the land and keep thriving farms in our communities for more than 30 years. We couldn’t have done it without your help. With your support in 2010, we continued our work in the corridors of Congress, state houses and town halls around the country to design better policies for farms, food and the land. We pioneered new programs to reward farmers for farming in ways that protect the soil, water, climate and wildlife. We collaborated with farmers, land trusts and communities on programs that protect agricultural land in perpetuity. And we educated tens of thousands of consumers on the importance of supporting famers, farmers markets and healthy food—while working to keep local food and farmland available for communities around the country. For more than 30 years, American Farmland Trust has worked to save our nation’s farms. Today—because of your support and that of many others—we are making significant progress. Working together, we can ensure a bright future for our nation’s farms, food and environment. Thank you for all that you do to save the land that sustains us! Sincerely, miranda kaiser jon scholl Board Chair President Want to receive our online newsletters? Sign up at www.farmland.org/news.
In 2010, American Farmland Trust continued to make progress in preserving farmland, protecting the environment and strengthening communities. In a few of our highlights from the year, we: • Directed the California Ag Vision project, which brought agricultural leaders together to create a statewide agenda that addresses the many challenges faced by California’s farmers and ranchers. • Coordinated the New England Farm & Food Security Initiative, a critical effort to strengthen food and farming in the six New England states by better supporting agriculture while improving the region’s economy, environment and public health. • Organized a No Farms, No Food® Rally in New York's state capital that led to the creation of a New York Farm and Food Alliance to advocate for state funding and policies that protect farmland. • Launched a major new multi-year project in Illinois to help farmers reduce the fertilizer that leaves their farms and to monitor resulting water quality improvements in the Mississippi River Basin. • Published the Washington Guide to Environmental Markets for Farmers and Ranchers—a first-of-its-kind effort to educate farmers about emerging markets that could pay them for providing environmental benefits like clean water and renewable energy. • Worked with a group of Pennsylvania farmers to generate nitrogen credits via AFT’s BMP Challenge program and make the credits available to the Pennsylvania Water Quality Trading program, demonstrating how a successful environmental market can work. successes A m e R i c A n F A R m l A n d t R u s t 2 0 1 0 A n n u A l R e p o R t 1
Page 1: A m e r i c A n FA r m l A n d T r
Page 5 and 6: summary of activities For the fisca
Page 7 and 8: Kent and Mary Johnson Jonathan and
Page 9 and 10: Evelyn C. Lundstrom Mr. and Mrs. Wi
Page 11 and 12: BOArD OF DIrecTOrS chair Miranda M.

2010 Annual Report - American Farmland Trust

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?