| | | Message From Our Regional Director Greetings Friend, While, in many ways, autumn is about winding down and moving toward rest, here at AFT the end of the year brings a flurry of activity. Our Pacific Northwest team is busy organizing events, attending conferences, and launching exciting new projects. As you’ll read below, there are lots of opportunities to connect with us in the coming months: read our most recent op-ed, attend a learning circle, share your insights in our agricultural viability survey, or consider applying to one of our open positions. Whether this season is busy or restful, we hope you find delight in the season’s changing temps, bright colors, and bountiful food. Addie Candib, PNW Regional Director, American Farmland Trust |
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| | Washington's Climate Commitment Act on the Ballot This fall, voters in Washington State will decide the fate of Initiative I-2117, which would repeal the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA, passed in 2021, created a cap-and-invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. In a recent joint op-ed, PNW regional director Addie Candib and Washington Farmland Trust executive director Melissa Campbell make the case for keeping the CCA and fixing its problems. |
| | | | | Farming and Ranching in Fire Country in Cheney, WA on Oct. 12 Farmers and ranchers are invited to this on-ranch learning circle co-hosted with Lazy R Ranch, Roots of Resilience, Spokane Conservation District, and Washington Farmland Trust. This free event will focus on building resilience through community and planning. |
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Building Water Resilience with Livestock for Small Farmers in Pescadero, CA on Nov. 22 Farmers and ranchers are invited to join us at TomKat Ranch for a learning circle focused on managing water through regenerative practices. We’ll discuss short-term and long-term solutions and view the ranch’s ongoing work. Registration for this free event is coming soon! |
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| | | | Support for Success Planning and Land Transfer Nationwide, an estimated 41 percent of agricultural land is projected to change hands by 2035. If you are a PNW farmer or rancher eager to start planning for succession to the next generation, our staff stands ready to help you navigate the process. Learn more about how this AFT program, in partnership with the USDA-NRCS, supports both retiring farmers and farmers eager to find land. |
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| Paid Biochar Trial Opportunity for Washington Farmers We’re excited to announce our new Breaking Down Barriers to Biochar Adoption on Farms from Coast to Coast project, funded through a USDA-NRCS On-Farm Trials Conservation Innovation Grant. We’re looking for two Washington farmers with potatoes or other high-disturbance crops who would be interested in applying biochar amendments in 2025. The biochar application will be free, and the farmer will be paid around $2000/year for three years of participation. AFT will conduct free soil sampling and economic outcomes analysis, and the results will be shared with the farmer. Participants are required to share operations information and yield data from experimental plots with AFT, and they must follow an agreed management plan for the length of the project. If you – or someone you know – is interested in joining the trial, please fill out this interest form. |
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Help Shape the Future of Ag in Puget Sound Farmers support our communities by producing fresh food, cultivating healthy ecosystems, and contributing to local economies. However, the viability of agriculture is a deep challenge. That’s why AFT is conducting a survey of current, former, and aspiring farmers in the Puget Sound region to understand their needs and challenges. This feedback will allow us to create a roadmap and action plan to address Puget Sound’s agricultural viability, along with a toolkit for county governments to better serve farmers. Participating farmers get a chance to win a $100 VISA gift card or a “No Farms, No Food” cap. The survey is available in English and Spanish. Stay updated by signing up on our website. |
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| | | We’re Hiring! AFT continues to grow, and is actively recruiting for a number of positions, including: Other roles here: https://farmland.org/careers/ |
| | Find Us at the Tilth Conference Join us at this year’s Tilth Conference, November 14-16, in Vancouver, Washington. We’re proud sponsors of this conference. Hope to see you during one of our two staff presentations on Climate Grief and Succession Planning. Learn More |
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| | Contact AFT American Farmland Trust
info@farmland.org |
| | No Farms No Food® is a trademark of American Farmland Trust |
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