In 1999, Puget Consumers Co-op, a Seattle-based chain of natural foods stores, created The Farmland Trust, an independent, self-supporting, nonprofit land trust. The Farmland Trust works to secure and preserve threatened farmland in Washington State and move it into organic production. The Trust's focus is on large, functional landscapes of local, regional and statewide importance so protection can be extended to bio diversity and wildlife habitat as well as to farmers and farming communities.

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Thundering Hooves family farm is proud to partner with the PCC Farmland Trust. Thanks to support from many donors, the Fund has purchased the Bennington Place, a farm just across the road from us. We have concluded an agreement to lease the Bennington Place from the Trust with an option to buy. We are making plans to restore the land both for food production and to benefit wildlife.

The most important thing a concerned consumer can do is buy local produce. Ask your produce grocer where your food is grown, and encourage them to purchase from local growers. It is also important to recognize where good agricultural land is located, and preserve it. Once good farm land is paved over, it loses its biological components; even if the asphalt or concrete is removed, it can take decades to restore the once-fertile land.

If you'd like to make a contribution to the Farmland Trust and learn more about it, Click Here to visit the Trusts website.