American Farmland Trust - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately $5 million in direct grants since 2020 (to over 2,000 farmers)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Up to 60 days from application closing
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $10,250
• Geographic Focus: National (all 50 US states and 5 territories)
• 2025 Awards: $2,820,250 to 208 farmers and ranchers

Contact Details

Website: farmland.org

Phone: (800) 886-5170

Email: info@farmland.org

Grant Program Email: brighterfuture@farmland.org

Address: 1150 Connecticut Ave NW Ste 600, Washington, DC 20036

Press Inquiries: (202) 378-1259

Overview

Founded in 1980 by farmers and conservationists including Margaret (Peggy) Rockefeller, Patrick Noonan, and William K. Reilly, American Farmland Trust (AFT) is the nation's leading advocate for farm and ranch land conservation. The organization received IRS ruling in 1985 with EIN 52-1190211 and has earned a Four-Star rating (96%) from Charity Navigator. For over four decades, AFT has helped protect more than six million acres of the nation's farm and ranch land from development. Under President and CEO John Piotti's leadership since July 2016, AFT has quadrupled its budget and staff, conducted comprehensive studies of American land use, and helped secure billions of dollars in federal funding to protect farmland and promote climate-smart agriculture. AFT made 154 grant awards in 2024 and 55 in 2023, with approximately $5 million in direct grants awarded to over 2,000 farmers in all 53 states and territories since 2020.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Brighter Future Fund - National Grant for Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers

• Amount: Up to $5,000 per project
• Focus: Beginning, socially disadvantaged, limited resource, women, and veteran farmers and ranchers
• Application: Rolling basis through online portal

Emergency Resilience Grant

• Amount: Up to $10,000 per project (or up to $10,250 with Real Farmer Care award)
• Focus: Business recovery from impacts including natural disasters, avian flu, and market loss
• Application: Rolling basis (currently closed)

Regional Programs (amounts vary by program):

• Regenerate Virginia Healthy Soils Grant
• Regenerate Virginia Farm Vitality Planning Grant (up to $10,000)
• New England Regenerative Livestock Farming Grant
• Great Lakes Farm Navigator Program
• FAST (Farmland Access, Stewardship, and Transfer) Grants

Recent Regional Awards:

• Virginia: $896,600 to farmers and ranchers for soil health and farm viability
• New England: $954,850 to 117 farmers (February-March 2024)

Priority Areas

AFT funds projects that help farmers:

• Improve farm viability through business planning, infrastructure improvements, and operational enhancements
• Access, transfer, or permanently protect farmland to keep land in agricultural production
• Adopt regenerative agricultural practices including soil health improvements, climate-smart techniques, and sustainable livestock management
• Enhance resilience against climate change, severe weather, market disruptions, and other challenges
• Strengthen local food systems through direct-to-consumer, food business, or institutional sales

The organization prioritizes support for beginning farmers, historically underserved communities (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women), and projects that advance equity in agriculture. In recent awards, 96% went to farmers identifying as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, female, or beginning.

What They Don't Fund

• Personal/household operations: Farms producing agricultural products mainly for personal, household, or family use (must be for-profit with proof of income)
• Previous grant recipients: Farmers who already received a Brighter Future Fund or New England Farmer Microgrants Program grant are ineligible
• Recent 2025 awardees: Those awarded AFT Brighter Future Fund grants in 2025 (Regenerate VA, New England programs) cannot apply for additional funding in the same year
• Multiple grants per farm: Only one grant can be awarded per farmer/farm family

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: John Piotti (since July 2016)

John Piotti has led AFT through significant organizational growth, quadrupling its budget and staff while re-establishing the organization as the national thought leader in farmland conservation. Under his leadership, AFT has conducted comprehensive land use studies and secured billions in federal funding for climate-smart agriculture.

Quote from John Piotti: "Agriculture can slow climate change but it will require more than just better farming practices, as essential as those are. AFT takes a truly holistic approach, one that also takes into account protecting farmland and supporting farmers."

Board Chairman: Grant Winthrop

Selected Board Members:

• Lillian (Ebonie) Alexander, Executive Director, Black Family Land Trust
• Malou Anderson-Ramirez, Rancher
• Emily Broad Leib, Director of Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic
• Lynn Clarkson, Chairman and CEO, Clarkson Grain Co.
• Jonathan Coppess, Associate Professor of Agricultural Policy, University of Illinois
• Val Dolcini, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs North America, Syngenta
• Becky Doyle, Co-owner, Hickory Grove Farm
• Jennie Turner Garlington, Trustee, Turner Foundation
• Jim Moseley, Former USDA Deputy Secretary

AFT is governed by a board of directors and supported by a team of farmers, scientists, policy experts, and researchers with 51-200 employees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Application Method: Online electronic application through AFT's grant portal at aft.smapply.io

Application Process:

• Complete electronic Brighter Future Fund Application
• Provide proof of for-profit farm operation with income documentation
• Submit documentation of cost estimates, proposed budget, and timeline
• For projects involving on-the-ground improvements, demonstrate land tenure (ownership, lease, license, or written agreement) for reasonable time period (typically 5+ years)
• One grant per farmer/farm family

Translation Services: AFT offers limited translation services for applicants to improve accessibility. Contact brighterfuture@farmland.org for assistance.

Support: Applicants can contact brighterfuture@farmland.org for questions about eligibility or help with the application process.

Decision Timeline

Review Process: Applications are reviewed and awarded in the order received based on eligibility, on a rolling basis until available funds are expended.

Notification: If approved, AFT sends electronic notification via Letter of Award within 60 days of the application closing. The Letter of Award details the approved timeline and payment process based on the individual project.

Project Completion: All services supported by grants must be completed by December 31, 2025.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, AFT's recent grant activity shows:

• 208 farmers and ranchers received awards totaling $2,820,250 in 2025
• 117 farmers received $954,850 through New England program (February-March 2024)
• 154 grant awards made in 2024
• 55 grant awards made in 2023
• Over 2,000 farmers funded since 2020 across all programs

96% of awards went to farmers identifying as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, female, or beginning, reflecting AFT's commitment to historically underserved communities.

Reapplication Policy

Encouraged to Reapply: Applicants who applied but were not awarded funds during previous Brighter Future Fund grant cycles are encouraged to apply again.

Priority for New Recipients: Previous recipients of other AFT grants received in 2024 or earlier may apply; however, since funding is limited, AFT may prioritize those who have not received prior awards.

Ineligibility Window: Those who were awarded a grant from AFT's Brighter Future Fund in 2025 (including Regenerate VA Healthy Soils, Farm Vitality, or New England Regenerative Livestock Farming grants) are not eligible to apply to additional funding opportunities in the same year.

Application Success Factors

Writing Style: AFT does not evaluate applications by grammar or writing style. Applicants should complete questions to the best of their ability and describe their farm/ranch, goals, and challenges in whatever style feels most comfortable. This reflects AFT's commitment to accessibility and supporting diverse farming communities.

Timing Matters: Because funding is limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come-first-served basis, early submission increases chances of success before funds are depleted.

Clear Project Vision: Successful applications include:

• Detailed documentation of cost estimates
• Well-defined proposed budget and timeline
• Clear explanation of how the project improves farm viability, advances regenerative practices, or supports farmland access/protection
• Demonstration of how the project aligns with AFT's mission

Land Tenure Requirements: For projects involving on-the-ground improvements, applicants must demonstrate appropriate land tenure. If tenure is less than five years, applications must show the tenure period is sufficient for the proposed improvements to be worthwhile.

Proof of Need: For Emergency Resilience Grants, applicants must provide proof of financial distress or loss due to a disruptive event (natural disaster, market disruption, etc.).

Focus on Priority Populations: AFT prioritizes beginning farmers and historically underserved communities (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women, veteran farmers). Projects serving these populations have strong alignment with AFT's equity goals.

Regenerative and Climate-Smart Practices: Projects incorporating soil health improvements, climate resilience, and regenerative agricultural techniques align well with AFT's strategic priorities under current leadership.

Local Food Systems: Projects strengthening direct-to-consumer sales, food business relationships, or institutional partnerships demonstrate community impact beyond the individual farm.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply early on rolling applications - funding is limited and awards are made in order of receipt, so early submission improves success chances before funds are depleted
• Don't worry about writing style - AFT evaluates substance over grammar, making applications accessible to farmers of all backgrounds and education levels
• Demonstrate clear alignment with farm viability, regenerative practices, or farmland access/protection priorities in your project description
• Priority for new recipients - if you've never received AFT funding, you may have an advantage; unsuccessful past applicants are encouraged to reapply
• Land tenure matters - ensure you can demonstrate appropriate lease, license, or ownership for projects involving land improvements (typically 5+ years)
• Leverage priority populations - if you identify as beginning, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, female, or veteran farmer, emphasize this as 96% of recent awards went to these groups
• Contact for help - AFT actively encourages applicants to reach out to brighterfuture@farmland.org with questions or for application assistance, including translation services

References

1. American Farmland Trust Official Website: https://farmland.org (Accessed December 24, 2025)
2. Charity Navigator - American Farmland Trust Rating: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/521190211 (Accessed December 24, 2025)
3. American Farmland Trust - Brighter Future Fund: https://farmland.org/brighterfuture (Accessed December 24, 2025)
4. National Grant for Historically Underserved Farmers and Ranchers: https://farmland.org/bff-ufr (Accessed December 24, 2025)
5. Emergency Resilience Grant: https://farmland.org/resilience (Accessed December 24, 2025)
6. AFT Awards Over $2.8 Million Through Brighter Future Fund: https://farmland.org/blog/aft-awards-over-2-million-to-farmers-and-ranchers-through-brighter-future-fund (Accessed December 24, 2025)
7. New England Farmer Microgrants Program Awards: https://farmland.org/blog/american-farmland-trusts-new-england-farmer-microgrants-program-awards-954850-to-117-farmers (Accessed December 24, 2025)
8. American Farmland Trust Virginia Awards: https://farmland.org/blog/american-farmland-trust-supports-healthy-soils-and-farm-vitality-with-nearly-1-million-awarded-to-virginia-farmers-and-ranchers (Accessed December 24, 2025)
9. Applications Open for AFT's Brighter Future Fund: https://farmland.org/blog/applications-open-for-afts-brighter-future-fund (Accessed December 24, 2025)
10. John Piotti Leadership Profile: https://farmland.org/staff/john-piotti/ (Accessed December 24, 2025)
11. American Farmland Trust Staff Directory: https://farmland.org/staff (Accessed December 24, 2025)
12. Contact Information: https://farmland.org/contact (Accessed December 24, 2025)
13. American Farmland Trust About Page: https://farmland.org/about (Accessed December 24, 2025)
14. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - American Farmland Trust: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/521190211 (Accessed December 24, 2025)
15. American Farmland Trust Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Farmland_Trust (Accessed December 24, 2025)
16. Val Dolcini Joins Board of Directors: https://farmland.org/blog/val-dolcini-joins-american-farmland-trust-board-of-directors (Accessed December 24, 2025)