PCC Farmland Trust
How it all started
PCC Farmland Trust was founded in 1999 by PCC Natural Markets as a separate, non-profit organization. To date, the Farmland Trust has saved nine farms dedicated to organic production, with the majority of funds coming from thousands of community donors.
PCC is also a strong advocate of the Trust, providing support through a variety of in-store promotions, vendor relations and cash donations. While some products from Trust-protected farms are sold at PCC Natural Markets, each farm's relationship with PCC is an independent business decision made between PCC and growers.
As the only 501(c)(3) land trust in the United States dedicated exclusively to organic farmland preservation, PCC Farmland Trust continues to seek out Northwest farmland to secure, preserve, and move into organic production.
The first farm
The Trust's first purchase was the Delta Farm in Sequim in 2001. The Delta Farm is in the fertile Dungeness Delta of the Olympic Peninsula. Adjacent to the Lower Dungeness River and home to six salmon species, Delta Farm hosts the source of Meadowbrook Creek.
Today, 74 of the 97-acre Delta Farm is leased by longtime farmer, Nash Huber, and is operated as Nash's Organic Produce. Nash's Organic Produce supplies PCC Natural Markets and other regional markets with a variety of fresh, local and organic vegetables including carrots, leeks and parsnips. Huber also is widely known and respected for his apprentice program that trains a new generation of farmers.
Other farmland preserved by the Trust
- 174-acre Bennington Place Farm in Walla Walla, farmed by the Huesby family
- 179-acre Ames Creek Farm in Carnation, farmed by Full Circle and Growing Things Farm
- 100-acre Orting Valley Farms in Pierce County, farmed by Little Eorthe Farm, Crying Rock Farms, and Tahoma Farms
- 15-acre Camelot Downs Farm in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island
- 300-acre Williams Hudson Bay Farm in Walla Walla
Ways to support the Trust at PCC
- Look for shelf tags in all PCC stores identifying the merchant suppliers who are Farmland Trust sponsors. Their generous support helps ensure a brighter future for organic agriculture.
- Powers Winery has blended two wines, a lively Cabernet and a stylish Chardonnay, exclusively for PCC to benefit PCC Farmland Trust. Two dollars from each bottle purchased is donated to the Farmland Trust.
- A partnership with organic pioneer Theo Chocolate has produced the PCC Farmland Trust Organic Fair Trade Cherry & Chili Dark Chocolate Bar. Fifty cents from the sale of each bar purchased at PCC will be donated to the trust.
- When you purchase PCC Farmland Trust totes, stainless steel water bottles, PCC Deli vegetable platters and Chinook Books at PCC Natural Markets, a portion of the proceeds from the sale benefits the Farmland Trust.
- Every time you reuse a shopping bag, coffee bag or egg carton a 5-cent refund is donated automatically to PCC Farmland Trust and PCC Food Bank Program.
How you can help
From individuals to corporate sponsors, there are a variety of ways to support PCC Farmland Trust. To learn more, visit www.pccfarmlandtrust.org.