American Farmland Trust

American Farmland Trust (AFT) is the leading U.S. nonprofit organization focused on protecting farmland from development and promoting sustainable agriculture practices. Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., AFT works at the intersection of land conservation, agricultural policy, and farmer support to ensure that productive farmland remains available for future generations of farmers and food producers. The organization has helped protect more than 7 million acres of American farmland through its conservation programs, policy advocacy, and partnerships with state and local land trusts. AFT conducts significant research on farmland economics, land tenure, and the relationship between land use and agricultural sustainability, publishing influential reports including Farms Under Threat, which documents the pace and scale of farmland loss across the United States. It operates a suite of farmer support programs focused on helping new and beginning farmers, particularly those from underserved communities, gain access to land and capital. AFT advocates actively for federal agricultural policies that protect farmland, support conservation practices, and make sustainable farming economically viable. Its Soil Health program works with farmers to implement practices that build organic matter, improve water retention, and reduce erosion. By linking land protection with sustainable farming practices, American Farmland Trust helps ensure that American agriculture remains productive, diverse, and environmentally responsible.