2020 Annual Report
A global pandemic, a reckoning with systemic racism, climate change impacts — there is no doubt that 2020 will leave a mark on each of our lives forever. But through it all, you showed up for Washington Farmland Trust because you know that a resilient local food system is something we can’t take for granted. Thanks to your support, we protected new farms, provided technical assistance to farmers, leveraged hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations, grew our staff and board, launched strategic partnerships, concluded a $26 million dollar campaign, and unveiled a new name, brand, and strategic plan. Thank you for helping us sustain a future for farming in Washington.
Key Milestones
Changed our name to Washington Farmland Trust alongside a new strategic plan, highlighting our commitment to supporting more farming communities across the state, creating affordable access to farmland, and addressing climate change and social inequities in our organization and within food and agriculture.
Celebrated our 20th anniversary in close collaboration with our founder PCC Community Markets.
Permanently protected Olson Farm in Chehalis, Washington – a 121-acre farm producing certified organic beef.
Collaborated with community partners to secure more than $1.7 million in conservation funding to protect hundreds of acres in the Stillaguamish and Skykomish River Valleys.
Virtually celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with authors Frances Moore Lappé and Anna Lappé and a panel of local producers on the topic of farming and climate change, drawing over 1,100 households from 32 states.
Partnered with Crafters Against COVID-19 Seattle and Splash Fabric to donate 4,000+ masks to farmers, farm workers, and frontline food workers across the state, from Everett to Orting and Snoqualmie to Yakima.
Inspired $91,514 in gifts through online giving days, GiveBIG and Giving Tuesday, and engaged 750 donors who gave for the first time.
Concluded our five year, comprehensive campaign, Our Farms, Our Future – exceeding our $26 million fundraising goal and protecting 1,378 acres in the Puget Sound region.
Provided technical assistance to more than 40 farmers and farmer collectives through Farm to Farmer, resulting in six successful matches.
Welcomed five new board members with varying backgrounds in food, agriculture, business, and sustainability: Joanie Parsons of Parsons+Co, Gary Kotzen of Costco (retired), Rachel Hynes of Firefly Kitchens & EnviroIssues, Jared Mitchell of PCC Community Markets, and Pamela Hinckley of Tom Douglas Restaurants.
Exceeded $300,000 in lifetime donations through our long-standing partnership with Powers Winery from wine sold at PCC Community Markets stores.
Leveraged $217,000 in generous financial support and services in-kind from PCC Community Markets, including from shoppers and employees via gifts made at the register, payroll contributions, reusable bag refund donations, and purchases of select products.
Hosted our first virtual benefit concert, Love the Land, in partnership with our strategic partner, Viva Farms. Local musicians Dave Matthews, Tomo Nakayama, Luz Elena Mendoza, and Naomi Wachira drew nearly 900 households, raising more than $230,000.
Deepened our partnerships with government officials, Tribes, and local farmers through our leadership within the Snohomish County Sustainable Lands Strategy, supporting projects that benefit farmers, promote salmon recovery, and reduce flood risks for local residents.
After nearly two years of foundational work reflecting on the biases and inequities that have shaped Washington’s land and farming systems, we developed an internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan to guide our organizational transformation and commitments to building an anti-racist, multicultural, and inclusive organization.
“Our new name, Washington Farmland Trust, is a celebration of this incredible place we call home and our unwavering commitment to the lifeblood of our communities: local farms.”
Melissa Campbell, Executive Director
Looking Ahead
We are anticipating one of our busiest conservation years with the potential to conserve more than five farms across the state. We are actively expanding our geographic focus areas by creating partnerships in new communities such as Southwest Washington.
Becoming a truly anti-racist, multicultural, and inclusive organization starts with building a team that represents the communities we aim to serve. We are hiring for multiple positions in 2021 and are excited to find the next leaders of Washington Farmland Trust that will shape the future of our organization.
This past year we secured funding to support larger scale Advancing Farm Sustainability projects in 2021 that will enhance soil, water, and habitat on protected farmland.
Working in partnership, we will grow the Farm to Farmer program from serving farmers and land holders in just three counties to serving the whole state of Washington later this year. We will also deepen our partnerships with Washington’s former military veteran farming communities in 2021.
Financials
January 1 – December 31, 2020
| Fund Development | $484,991 | |
|---|---|---|
| Management | $306,673 | |
| All Programs | ||
| Community Engagement | $285,623 | |
| Farm to Farmer | $151,432 | |
| Stewardship | $310,792 | |
| Conservation | $469,921 | |
| Farmland | ||
| Agricultural Easement Acquisition | $295,733 | |
| Total | ||
| Individual Donations | $2,004,602 | |
|---|---|---|
| Special Events | $152,157 | |
| Corporate Donations | $309,874 | |
| Public Grants | $130,321 | |
| Investment Income & Other | $12,859 | |
| Sale of Property | $66,659 | |
| Land Lease Income | $118,202 | |
| Total | ||
Thank you for your unwavering support. We can’t wait to be out on the farm with you again soon.
