American Farmland Trust

Jeff Tkach, Amanda Leland, and John Piotti share their calls to action at #ClimateWeekNYC: ✔️ Support organizations working on the ground with farmers  ✔️ Support research to keep science front and center  ✔️ Support a strong Farm Bill Companies looking for a science-based approach to building a resilient, sustainable food system while driving meaningful impact should partner with and support organizations like American Farmland Trust, Environmental Defense Fund, and Rodale Institute. These organizations are some of those leading the charge in improving soil health, advancing regenerative practices, and empowering farmers to thrive in a rapidly changing world. ➡️ Get in touch to partner with AFT: https://bit.ly/3VK3KbN

Let’s talk #biochar! Starting in January, we’ll be conducting a national survey of biochar adopters to aid in our understanding of biochar use. Responses to this survey will help us provide guidance on how best to incentivize and support biochar adoption on farmland in the U.S. Sign up to be notified when the survey opens and receive other updates on our biochar work! ➡️ https://bit.ly/4izAK09 US Biochar Initiative Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources ℹ️ This work is part of our Biochar National On-Farm Demonstration Trial: Breaking Down Barriers to Biochar Adoption on Farms Coast-to-Coast, funded by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Transitioning the family farm from one generation to the next can be a challenge. That's something Dustin Watson knows firsthand. With real estate development reshaping his rural Virginia community, his family almost lost the farm they've tended for generations. But through an innovative, farmland protection-focused strategy, Watson persevered — securing his family's land and legacy. "I wasn't going to give up," he says. "But I've got to admit, I had my doubts. I didn't think keeping the farm was very realistic. Then it actually happened." 🔗 Read the story: https://bit.ly/3ZwFgDN. A big thanks to our friends at Barn Raiser for uplifting this powerful story. 🌟Thanks too to Piedmont Environmental Council and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service for teaming up to make this success story possible. 📷 Molly Peterson

For over 40 years, American Farmland Trust has championed farmland protection and supported farmers. With the U.S. Farmed™ Seal, we’ve taken a bold step forward with brands committed to strengthen and sustain American agriculture with a first-of-its-kind certification designed to help consumers choose products with ingredients grown right here in America. U.S. Farmed™ is a certification and transparency standard offering a packaging seal for consumer-packaged goods proven through independent audit to contain at least 95% of ingredients grown in the United States. As the leaders and founders of the conservation agriculture movement, this seal is one way that we’re working holistically -- to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, keeping farmers on the land, and promoting forward-looking farming practices. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eX-B6fau 🎥 This video was produced by Common Table Creative. #USFarmed

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a recent dinner event in Darlington, Indiana. John Piotti, our President and CEO shared insights into AFT's pivotal role in the conservation agriculture movement and discussed the critical challenges facing Indiana's farmland—one of our nation's most productive agricultural regions. During the evening, John highlighted the alarming risk of farmland loss in Indiana, greater than previously anticipated. He emphasized the necessity of increased protection efforts to ensure a sustainable future for agriculture in the Hoosier state. John also described how agricultural conservation easements (ACE) are vital tools in preserving land for future agricultural use. We hope his urgent call to action resonated with all attendees, encouraging each of us to contribute to shaping viable solutions. Learn more about our work in the Midwest: https://bit.ly/4gjL3n4.

In the next few decades, it is projected that at least one-third of this nation’s agricultural lands (over 300 million acres) will change hands, making them vulnerable to conversion and development. CCALT has joined a nationwide effort to help catalyze land transfer for retiring producers and land access for new producers to keep these private working lands open and agriculturally productive. CCALT is working on developing land succession and land access workshops, as well as informational and outreach materials to engage landowners in succession planning. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g4WuvQfU The Land Transfer Navigators Program, is led in partnership by the American Farmland Trust with support from the National Resources Conservation Service.

Congratulations to Terry K. Maxwell, the inaugural recipient of the Mississippi Leopold #Conservation Award. We salute this innovative farmer with Mississippi Farm Bureau Fed, American Farmland Trust, Farm Families of Mississippi, Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission, The Nature Conservancy in Mississippi, & MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS INC

Agrivoltaics is forecast to become a $9.3 billion marketplace by 2031, growing at a compound annual rate of 10.1% in that time frame from $3.6 billion a year ago, according to Allied Analytics. This forecasted growth should create a sense of urgency around the country. We must get this build out right for #agrivoltaics to benefit rural communities. American Farmland Trust's Smart Solar℠ principles are guiding the way.

Congratulations to our Midwest Director, Kris Reynolds who is the 2024 recipient of the Mike Plumer Environmental Award from the IL Corn Growers Association!   A fifth-generation corn and soybean farmer and Certified Crop Advisor with the American Society of Agronomy, Kris has managed Midwest programs at AFT since 2017. These include activities that improve water quality, soil health, enhance nutrient efficiency, utilize conservation cropping systems, and combat climate change. 🌽

One hundred years after the Dust Bowl blew away topsoil from nearly 200 million acres of American farmland, farmers and ranchers are slowly entering into a new relationship with the soils beneath their boots. In the early 2000s, "soil heath" was a term hotly debated among scientists as a replacement for "soil quality," however, significant strides have been made in normalizing the concept since then. Farm Journal's Trust In Food™ and America's Conservation Ag Movement sat down with our own Dr. Bianca Moebius-Clune, Climate and Soil Health Director of our Climate and Soil Health Initiative to talk - you guessed it - soil health! 🌱 Read more below! #WorldSoilDay