About the PCC Farmland Trust
The non-profit PCC Farmland Trust works to secure and preserve farmland in Washington State and move it into organic production. It is believed to be the only 501(c)(3) land trust in the United States dedicated to organic farmland preservation.
The land trust was founded in 1999 by PCC Natural Markets as a separate, non-profit organization. To date, the community-supported land trust has saved four farms, which are now legally dedicated for exclusive use as organic production.
How the Trust works
By preserving the land for organic farming, the Trust is not only setting aside land for organic farming and wildlife habitat, but is supporting the continued livelihood of local farmers and the farming community, and is increasing the availability of local, fresh organic foods.
Through its efforts, the PCC Farmland Trust helps create community and fosters a sense of partnership between the people who grow the food and the people who eat it. This includes the individuals and organizations who through the years have shown their concern for saving farmland by supporting the Trust with their donations — large or small.
The non-profit trust has 501(c)(3) status, making donations to the Trust effort 100% tax deductible. PCC Natural Markets, the Trust's founder and a major sponsor of the Trust, remains a wholly separate organization and does not benefit monetarily from operation of the Trust.
The Trust’s primary mechanism for securing farmland is to purchase organic agricultural conservation easements. The conservation easements are written by the Trust, restrict development and guarantee organic agricultural use in perpetuity. In the past, the Trust has also purchased title and conservation easement and leased the property back to the farmer. Properties have been funded over the years largely through individual donations.
Sources of funding
Over 3500 individuals and families have made gifts to PCC Farmland Trust, as well as many businesses, organizations and foundations whose gifts and grants have totaled more than $3 million since the Trust’s inception in 1999.
The Farmland Trust receives 48% of its donations from individuals and families, 23% from foundations and grants, and 4% from earned income. The remaining 17% of donations come from corporate donations, while 8% of our donations are in-kind, including support from PCC Natural Markets.
In March of 2009, the Washington Women’s Foundation recognized the work of the Farmland Trust by issuing a $100,000 challenge for our Future Farm Fund. A generous anonymous donor added $50,000 to that challenge, and our community of donors responded, raising $300,000 in the first half of 2009 alone. The money raised during the challenge is restricted to the Trust’s Future Farm Fund, to purchase organic agricultural conservation easements on local farmland and restrict development—in perpetuity.
Other recent corporate and foundation donations include a $60,000 grant from Boeing and a $60,000 grant from the Satterberg Foundation to support the Farmland Trust’s Stewardship Program, as well as other gifts that will support our increasing outreach and education efforts, including seasonal interns for the Trust.
Donors have a number of opportunities to deepen their commitment to the Farmland Trust, including our monthly Growing Circle, Farmland Sustaining Circle, and planned giving through our Agrarian Circle. Supporters can also contribute through voluntary payroll deductions, or sign over employment bonuses and awards. Others make gifts in honor of birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, births, holidays, and in honor or memory of family and friends. Corporate donors can participate in the Farmland Trust’s Corporate Sponsorship program, while natural food vendors and beer and wine distributors support the Trust through our Vendor Partnership program.