American Farmland Trust (AFT) began in 1980 after a small group of farmers and conservationists asked an important question: What will happen to the nation's food supply if we continue to wastefully develop our best farm and ranch land?

Peggy McGrath Rockefeller, the wife of philanthropist David Rockefeller, was one of AFT's founding members. Peggy was a dedicated and accomplished farmer, raising purebred cattle on farms in Maine and upstate New York.

Guided by Rockefeller, noted soil conservationist Norm Berg, California farmer Ralph Grossi, and others, AFT focused in the early years on pioneering programs around the country that use a powerful tool – conservation easements – to make the nation's best farmland off limits to developers.

From the early days, AFT has been a strong advocate for voluntary conservation practices and programs that preserve not just land but also our precious soil and water supplies. In the 40+ years since AFT began, we've seen farmland preservation transform into a national movement that has protected well over five million acres nationwide.

Of course, there is much more work to be done. Today, AFT is dedicated to preserving the nation's farm and ranch land – and critical natural resources like soil and water. We also make sure to never forget that it is people – our family farmers and ranchers – who feed us and sustain America.

Please join us.

Agriculture & Farming

American Farmland Trust

American Farmland Trust's headquarters in United States

John Piotti

Jessica Downey

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People (41)

John Piotti

Jessica Downey

Joy O'Shaughnessy

Greg Plotkin

Anel Trujillo Herrera

Maggie McCabe Post

Mika Maekawa

Nicole Gwishiri

Rachel Rondeau

Charline Xu

Sarah Liss

Lea Harvey

Shradha Shrestha

Mollie Ghiabi

Beth Sauerhaft

Brian Bourdages

Sarah Heller

Stephanie Castle

Whitney Shields (she/they)

David Anderson

Jamie Pottern

Erica Goodman

Beth Fraser

Kinzie Reiss

Olivia Fuller

Piero Taico

Elizabeth Amodeo

Matt E.

Michael Shulman

Michelle Buchholz

Allen Penn

Lia Raz

Angie Doucette

Naomi M Cossack

Bonnie McGill

Karisa Centanni

Erin Upton

Alissa White

Caro Roszell

Julia Freedgood

Austin Kinzer

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