American Farmland Trust

What American Farmland Trust does

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1980 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., operating as the only national organization taking a holistic approach to American agriculture by focusing simultaneously on the land itself, farming practices, and the farmers and ranchers who steward it. AFT delivers its mission through an integrated portfolio of programs including the Farmland Information Center (the nation's largest online collection of farmland protection resources, maintained with USDA NRCS support), the National Agricultural Land Network (NALN) serving 1,629+ member organizations, the Soil Health Stewards training program (239 graduates from 123 land trusts across 36 states), the Brighter Future Fund (direct grants of up to $30,000 per farmer), the U.S. Farmed™ third-party audited certification standard (verifying 95%+ U.S.-grown ingredients), Smart Solar (agrivoltaics policy initiative), Women for the Land, and the Farm Legacy succession planning program. Since founding, AFT has helped permanently protect over 8 million acres of agricultural land and engages more than 260,000 farmers, ranchers, and practitioners annually.

The organization's technology stack is purpose-built around community engagement and certification rather than software products: the NALN community runs on Higher Logic, U.S. Farmed certification is verified by third-party auditor SCS Global Services, and donor infrastructure integrates with Fidelity Charitable, DAFgiving360, and BNY Mellon via DAF Direct. AFT's research arm produces the Farms Under Threat spatial and policy scorecard across 38 states, a proprietary data asset informing land-use planning and policy.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model spanning individual donations and memberships (including the Legacy Circle planned giving program with charitable gift annuities, remainder trusts, and IRA QCDs), corporate partnerships (Anheuser-Busch, ADM, Sioux Honey, Applegate, Domino's, Giant Food) that include cause marketing and certification fees, and grant funding from federal agencies (notably USDA NRCS) and foundations. AFT serves farmers, landowners, land trusts, public agencies, policymakers, CPG companies, and beginning farmers across all 50 states, with the only disclosed corporate funding round being a $500,000 ADM Cares investment in March 2026 and major government support including a $10 million USDA award in October 2024.

Name

American Farmland Trust

Legal name

American Farmland Trust

Website

https://farmland.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

American Farmland Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1980 that protects U.S. agricultural land through conservation programs, farmer grants, the U.S. Farmed certification, and a national land protection practitioner network serving farmers, landowners, land trusts, CPG companies, and government agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Conservation Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Crop Production (11511)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH), Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory) (AFACABAL), Regulatory Compliance, Permitting & Audit Readiness (Food Safety, Environmental, Labor) (AFACAJAE)

Keywords

• Farmland protection services
• Agricultural conservation programs
• Farmer grant programs
• Agricultural land trust
• Sustainable farming advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations and Memberships: AFT receives contributions from individual donors and members who support farmland protection. The organization offers membership programs including Legacy Circle for planned giving supporters, with various giving options including one-time donations, recurring gifts, and major donor contributions.
2. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: AFT accepts charitable bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, and other planned giving arrangements. Donors can contribute real estate, securities, retirement assets, or include AFT in wills and trusts.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: AFT partners with corporations for ESG goals, supply chain sustainability, and cause marketing. Corporate partners include Anheuser-Busch, ADM, Sioux Honey, Applegate, Domino's, and Giant Food. Revenue includes U.S. Farmed certification fees and sponsorship arrangements.
4. Grant Funding: AFT receives funding from government sources including USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), foundations, and public agencies to support programs like the Soil Health Stewards initiative and National Agricultural Land Network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

American Farmland Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects U.S. agricultural land and supports farmers through conservation easement programs, direct grants via the Brighter Future Fund, the U.S. Farmed third-party certification standard for domestic ingredients, professional training through the Soil Health Stewards program, the National Agricultural Land Network for practitioners, and the Farmland Information Center clearinghouse. The organization also delivers planned giving services, corporate partnership programs, and policy advocacy to advance its farmland protection mission.

Product overview

American Farmland Trust operates as a platform-plus-programs organization offering a portfolio of distinct products and services focused on farmland protection, agricultural sustainability, and farmer support. Core offerings include: the Farmland Information Center (clearinghouse for farmland protection resources), U.S. Farmed™ certification (third-party verified traceability standard for domestically grown ingredients), National Agricultural Land Network (professional membership network for land protection practitioners), Brighter Future Fund (direct grant program for farmers), Smart Solar℠ (solar-farmland integration initiative), Soil Health Stewards Program (training for land protection practitioners), Women for the Land (women farmer empowerment), Farm Legacy Program (succession planning and conservation easements), Planned Giving Services (charitable giving vehicles), and Corporate Partnership Programs. These programs work together to advance AFT's mission of saving the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• U.S. Farmed: A certification and seal designed for brands committed to strengthening and sustaining American agriculture, verifying that 95% or more of agricultural ingredients in a product are grown by U.S. farmers.
• No Farms No Food
• National Agricultural Land Network (NALN)
• Farmland Information Center (FIC)
• Brighter Future Fund
• Smart Solar
• Women for the Land

Products and services

• U.S. Farmed Certification An independent, third-party audited certification and traceability standard verifying that 95% or more of agricultural ingredients in a product are grown by U.S. farmers, enabling brands to display the U.S. Farmed seal. Audited by SCS Global Services.
• Brighter Future Fund Direct grant program providing financial support to farmers and ranchers for regenerative agriculture and farm vitality improvements, with corporate co-branding and storytelling opportunities. Includes healthy soils grants (up to $30,000) and farm vitality grants (up to $25,000) per producer.
• National Agricultural Land Network (NALN) A professional networking and peer learning network serving 1,629+ organizations, agency staff, and individuals engaged in retaining and protecting America's working farm and ranch lands. Includes online community (Higher Logic platform), regional roundtables, workshops, webinars, and ACEP-ALE resources.
• Smart Solar Initiative Initiative ensuring renewable energy and productive farms coexist by promoting agrivoltaic solutions, with corporate sponsorship opportunities for companies to demonstrate alignment with Smart Solar principles.
• Soil Health Stewards Program National training program engaging agricultural land protection practitioners in promoting soil health practices with farmers, ranchers, and landowners on permanently protected agricultural land. Includes online Soil Health Toolkit developed with USDA NRCS.
• Women for the Land Initiative Initiative empowering women farmers and landowners with tools and networks to steward their land, advance conservation, and build resilient farm communities. Includes a network of women-led Leader Farms and peer learning toolkit housed on AFT's Farmland Information Center.
• Farm Legacy Program National initiative ensuring farmland remains in farming as it transitions to the next generation while improving land access for new farmers. Includes agricultural conservation easements, estate planning integration, and Legacy Circle membership.
• Farmland Information Center (FIC) National clearinghouse for farmland protection information featuring the largest online collection of print materials, laws, and sample documents related to farmland protection. AFT staff provides direct technical assistance and answers information requests via phone or email.
• Planned Giving Services Planned giving options including charitable gift annuities (minimum $20,000), charitable remainder trusts (minimum $100,000), charitable lead trusts, qualified charitable distributions from IRAs, donor-advised funds, gifts of securities, and real estate donations.
• Corporate Partnership Programs Corporate sponsorship and partnership opportunities including U.S. Farmed certification, supply chain projects, Brighter Future Fund sponsorships, and Smart Solar sponsorships, allowing companies to align ESG goals with AFT's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8+ million acres permanently protected since 1980
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• ADM (Archer-Daniels-Midland Company)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026ADM committed $500,000 through ADM Cares as part of the Farm Forward Initiative to support hundreds of farmers across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, and Missouri. AFT leads on-the-ground engagement providing technical assistance for succession planning, production resources, peer networks, and grant funding to strengthen farm resilience amid shifting market demands, evolving trade policy, and technological changes.
• Sioux Honey Association Co-opcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 February 2025Sioux Honey Association Co-op's Sue Bee and Aunt Sue's brands became the first honey brands to earn U.S. Farmed certification, verifying their honey is harvested and packaged within the United States. The partnership supports AFT's mission while demonstrating domestic sourcing commitment.
• Anheuser-BuschcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 March 2024Anheuser-Busch is the first-mover in adopting AFT's U.S. Farmed certification for Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, and Michelob ULTRA beers. The partnership includes the 'Choose Beer Grown Here' marketing campaign and support for AFT's farmer programs. Busch Light became the second fastest share-gaining beer brand after the certification launch.
• ApplegatesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerApplegate partners with AFT through the Brighter Future Fund to support livestock farmers, telling the stories of how their support impacts farms and communities.
• Domino'ssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerDomino's partners with AFT through the Brighter Future Fund, supporting American Farmland Trust initiatives to help farmers and ranchers.
• Giant FoodsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerGiant Food partners with AFT through the Brighter Future Fund, supporting local farmers and communities through grant programs.
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRCS provides vital financial support for the Soil Health Stewards program and Farmland Information Center. The partnership enables AFT to deliver conservation training to land trusts and public agencies, and maintains the nation's largest online collection of farmland protection resources.
• SCS Global ServicessupportingTechnology or IntegrationThird-party verification partner for U.S. Farmed certification, conducting audits to verify that 95% or more of agricultural ingredients in certified products are grown by U.S. farmers.
• National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFT partners with NASDA during the International Year of the Woman Farmer to highlight and uplift stories of women in agriculture through the Women for the Land Initiative.
• State and Local Land TrustscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAFT collaborates with state and local land trusts across the country through the National Agricultural Land Network (NALN) and Soil Health Stewards program. Over 123 land trusts and public PACE programs have participated in AFT training programs, stewarding millions of protected acres.
• National Sustainable Agriculture CoalitionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAFT co-led an agricultural coalition letter with National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, National Farmers Union, and National Association of State Departments of Agriculture urging Congress to include funding for local and regional food procurement in farmer economic relief packages.
• National Farmers UnionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner in advocacy for local and regional food procurement funding and farmer economic support programs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Kiss the Ground: Nonprofit focused on regenerative agriculture and soil health advocacy with media-driven public engagement. Comparable mission focus on soil health and consumer education, though operates with smaller budget and advocacy-led rather than land-protection-led model.
• Soil Health Institute: Nonprofit research and convening organization advancing soil health measurement and practice adoption. Directly comparable in soil health focus, but oriented toward research and corporate coalition facilitation rather than direct farmer grants and land protection.

Broad incumbents

• Environmental Defense Fund: Large environmental nonprofit with significant agriculture and land-use programs. Shares science-based policy advocacy approach and corporate partnership model, but with much broader environmental mandate beyond farmland protection.
• Sierra Club: Major environmental advocacy organization with national membership base and policy focus. Comparable as a 501(c)(3) with land conservation advocacy and donor-driven revenue, though oriented toward wilderness and climate rather than working agricultural lands.
• The Nature Conservancy: The largest global environmental nonprofit with extensive land acquisition and conservation easement programs across the U.S. Directly comparable as a 501(c)(3) using land trusts, easements, and corporate partnerships to protect working and natural lands, but operating at much larger scale and broader mission scope.

Direct peers

• Ducks Unlimited: Major conservation nonprofit with extensive wetland and grassland protection work, including agricultural easements on working lands. Comparable scale, federal funding relationships, and brand-driven donor model; differs in that habitat/waterfowl are the primary mission rather than farmland per se.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that protects land for public use, including significant farmland and ranchland conservation work. Directly comparable mission (conservation easements, land protection, policy advocacy) and similar funding model (donations, grants, corporate partnerships).
• National Farmers Union: Grassroots farmer advocacy organization with policy focus on farm viability, land access, and succession planning — directly comparable to AFT's policy and farmer-support programs. Shares coalition partners (e.g., National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition) and advocacy on local food procurement.
• Land Trust Alliance: National membership organization representing 1,000+ land trusts, providing policy advocacy, training, and accreditation. Closely comparable to AFT's NALN function and shares the farmland protection / conservation easement ecosystem, though focused on organizational support rather than direct program delivery.

Others

• American Farm Bureau Federation: Largest U.S. farmer advocacy organization with policy influence on farmland, agricultural, and conservation issues. Adjacent comparable — engages with similar constituency (farmers, ranchers, landowners) and policy coalitions, though representing farmer interests broadly rather than farmland protection as primary mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/farmland
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmericanFarmland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Farmland Trust