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 purchased three farms, which are now legally dedicated for exclusive use as organic production, and the Trust extends its protection to include biodiversity and wildlife, farmers and farming communities.
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.
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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 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 recent history, the Trust has purchased title and conservation easement and leased the property back to the farmer. Properties have been funded over the years largely through individual donations, which have totaled over $2.2 million in the Trust’s history.
Sources of funding
Since the Farmland Trust’s inception, nearly 1,500 individuals, families, businesses, foundations, and government agencies have made gifts and grants totaling more than $2,000,000. Two $45,000 challenges by major donors saw early completion. A $25,000 challenge by the Bullitt Foundation was matched in nine weeks. Donations range from $5 to $20,000, with an average gift of $309.
Many donors to the Farmland Trust contribute through voluntary payroll deductions or sign over employment bonuses and awards. Others make gifts in honor of birthdays, weddings, newborns, anniversaries, holidays and in memory of family anf friends.
Corporate donors contribute via outright gifts. Businesses also support the Farmland Trust through the Annual Promotions Program or the Monthly Promotions Program.
Recognition
In 2004, the Trust was recognized by the National Nutritional Foods Association (NNFA) who awarded a merit-based grant of $3,000 in support of the Trust's work.
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Washington DC, selected the Farmland Trust as winner of their Neighborhood Partnership Award. Sustainable Northwest, in Portland, Oregon, named the Trust one of their "Founders of a New Northwest," among the "individuals, communities and businesses in the Pacific Northwest that have found ways to reconcile economic progress with environmental health and social equality."