option for Permanent Fund Donations! Starting with the 2010 Dividend application, please select Alaska Farmland Trust as your charity of choice.
Our Mission
Alaska Farmland Trust Corporation (AFTC) is dedicated to preserving Alaska’s farmlands for future generations, and through voluntary easements. AFTC is committed to educating residents on the importance of local agriculture and farmland preservation, and expanding Alaska’s agricultural infrastructure.
Our Vision
Maintain all agricultural land and increase producing acreage, allowing for local agricultural to provide stable and secure food resources for local populations. Create agricultural legacies by making lands affordable for young farmers, while providing an avenue for farmer retirement. A future in which Alaska’s young people are educated about where their food comes from and how to grow it, and are able to be enthusiastic about the agriculture industry as a future for themselves.
Our Goals & Strategies
Because only 4% of Alaska’s farmland is accessible and viable for farming, and less than 10% of food consumed in Alaska is locally grown, there is an immediate need to preserve farmland and educate local populations on the agricultural opportunities available. Alaska Farmland Trust was established to be an effective and consistent voice for agriculture in Alaska and to address the major challenges and opportunities facing Alaska Farmland. As oil prices, food prices, and transportation costs continue to increase, so will the cost to import global foods to Alaska.
This strategic plan is intended to be a living document, which Alaska Farmland Trust will use on a regular basis to check its progress and determine its next steps. Using the following goals and strategies gives a clear and definite path to success.
Farmland Conservation and Stewardship
Identify and preserve soils of local importance including City, State, Borough, and Federal lands.
Develop the tools needed to preserve lands effectively in the State of Alaska.
Ensure adequate stewardship of protected lands.
Develop a clear and compelling case for farmland preservation.
Support other State and local preservation programs, and encourage conservation easement donations.
Education and Outreach
Convey the importance of farmland preservation, conservation opportunities and AFTC’s role in farmland conservation to the public; land owners, city, borough, state, and agency staff, elected officials, local residents, and school children.
Engage more individuals and diverse organizations by working cooperatively with local agriculture groups, including the master gardeners, Future Farmers of America (FFA), 4-H, Grange, and food bank networks to foster agriculture in the classroom, form community garden groups, develop new market opportunities for farmers, and deepen understanding and appreciation of this great resource.
Facilitate collaboration with local Soil and Water Conservation District groups, and other preservation groups to further support State and local preservation programs.
Possibly fund Future Farmers of America (FFA) or 4-H scholarships for the education of continuing generations of farmers.
Funding
Develop consistent and broad based funding networks, through grants and local donations, as well as planned gifts and bequests.
Conduct local fundraising events to raise money and also educate the public about the Alaska Farmland Trust Corporation and our mission.
Develop unique strategies to seek funds to support acquisition of farmlands and administrative cost coverage.
Build an endowment fund for support of operations and acquisitions.
Organizational Development
Train and retain staff to assist the Board in meeting AFTC’s mission and goals.
Build a corps of volunteers to assist with all aspects of running the Alaska Farmland Trust.
Utilize the Farmland Trust’s Standards and Practices as the foundation for AFTC operations.
Accomplishments to Date
Alaska Farmland Trust Corporation has been in operation since 2005. In that time we have been working hard to begin accomplishing our goals and strategies. Thus far we have:
Developed a Board of Directors with a diversity of skills and great knowledge of farming and farmland preservation practices.
Obtained a small grant from the Pumpkin Foundation with the help of the Friends of Mat-Su, a local conservation group.
Purchased the development rights on a 40 acre farm parcel off Fairview Loop Road.
Hired an Administrative Assistant with technical writing skills to help write grants and plan fund raising.
Developed and established a Policy and Procedure Manual for the Board and the employees to follow.
For more information, please contact us at
(907) 745-3390 or email us at steve@arrc.us
