History

Fortunately, PCC Natural Markets rose to Nash’s challenge, and PCC Farmland Fund, a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit was born. Jody Aliesan was appointed President of the Farmland Fund.

In 2007, the Trust moves toward its current model of purchasing or holding agricultural conservation easements, in order to save more farmland, more quickly.  Photo: Melanie Conner.

2008 is a very busy year! The Farmland Trust formalizes its Stewardship Program, begins holding regular farm tours, and creates the Future Farm Fund – money that is restricted to purchasing conservation easements on local farmland.

In 2009, PCC Farmland Trust preserves Orting Valley Farms, in collaboration with the Washington State Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) and Pierce County’s Conservation Futures program.

In 2010, work continues on several farm projects, planned giving, a new website, and our Local Chefs for Local Farms series.

PCC Farmland Trust receives its first donated easement in the fall of 2010, for Camelot Downs on Whidbey Island, and its first bequest, which leads to the creation of our Stewardship Fund.  Photo: Kip Beelman

The Farmland Trust receives two awards in 2010: the Innovative Partnership Vision 2040 Award, from the Puget Sound Regional Council, and the Innovative Conservation Project Award from Forterra (formerly Cascade Land Conservancy).

In 2011, the Farmland Trust preserves its ninth farm, Williams Hudson Bay Farm, 300 acres near Walla Walla.

In 2011, the Farmland Trust held a KEXP-sponsored benefit show, led tours of Camelot Downs, Delta Farm, and held “Celebrate Organic!” a 3-farm tour of the Snoqualmie Valley.  Photo: Becky Warner.

Beginning in 2007, Powers Winery generously donates $2 for each bottle of special PCC Farmland Trust blends sold at PCC, which results in over $100,000 worth of donations by 2012.

PCC Farmland Trust’s Board of Directors adopts a formalized 2012-2015 Strategic Plan that provides a vision for organic farmland preservation in the years to come, with concentration on the Puyallup and Snoqualmie Valleys.  Photo: Melanie Conner

Thanks to the vision of the Haakenson family, who farm Jubilee, and the combined resources of King County and the Trust, the entirety of this much-loved biodynamic farm will remain food-producing farmland for years to come. Photo: Dennis Lussier.

In partnership with Pierce County, PCC Farmland Trust completes the purchase of the historic 120-acre Reise Farm, near the city of Orting.  This project is an important land preservation success because of its location: the Puyallup Valley.

After an accreditation process lasting two years and involving extensive documentation and rigorous reviews, PCC Farmland Trust was officially recognized as a nationally accredited land trust.

Because of Dropstone Farms‘ proximity to established farmland conservation and other nearby preservation opportunities, we’re beginning to form an “agricultural corridor” in the Puyallup Valley, providing all sorts of benefits. Photo: Maura Rendes

Our educational series On the Farm continues in 2014 with a diverse array of offerings, including yoga on the farm, birding, geology, films, and photography events.

Over 3 years in the making, the preservation of Helsing Junction Farm wouldn’t have been possible without the collaboration of farmer Susan Ujcic, her husband Jared Snyder, farming partner Annie Salafsky, and Thurston County Conservation Futures. Photo: Maura Rendes