Saving farmland: the grassroots does it again
by Jody Aliesan, PCC Farmland Fund President and Operating Officer
This article was originally published in January 2003
“Freedom, stewardship, fidelity, family, community, all are casualties of a mechanism that selects only for cheapness.” — Donella Meadows
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(January 2003) — The PCC Farmland Fund is an independent, self-supporting 501(c) 3 nonprofit land trust. It works to save threatened farmland in Washington State and move it into organic production — for the sake of the land, those who work it, and those of us who eat what they produce.
The Farmland Fund was created by PCC Natural Markets in September of 1999. After three months as a PCC program, the Fund incorporated as a nonprofit land trust in January of 2000 with PCC continuing as first among corporate donors. In addition to its annual cash gift, PCC also contributes many forms of in-kind support, such as this page in the Sound Consumer.
The greatest proportion of support for the Fund, however, comes from individuals and families. More than half of the dollars that will go to purchase a conservation easement on the Shipley Fields — to save that fertile land from being smothered by 120 clone houses — come from the wallets and checkbooks of individuals and families. The average gift is just over $300.
We are a lot of little people doing something big together, the broad grassroots base of the Fund’s pyramid of resources. We provide stability, endurance, continuity and community so the Farmland Fund can go on saving organic farmland forever.
For the Shipley Fields:
$214,438 raised since May 1, 2002. Only $35,562 to go!
Receive a free print for every gift of $100 or more
Original illustrations in color pencil and watercolor by Northwest artists are printed on high quality recycled papers and donated by Good Nature Publishing. The image shown is one of four designed to double as placemats.
How to keep things growing after you’re gone
Ten things you can do to leave a legacy to the Farmland Fund.
- Prepare or update your will. Without a formal, legal plan, an anonymous administrator may distribute your funds and belongings unaware of your intentions or family needs.
- Leave a gift in your will to the Farmland Fund. Your legacy gift would endow the Fund’s future ability to secure and preserve threatened farmland in Washington State and keep it in organic production.
- If you have already prepared your will, simply add a codicil (amendment) to specify a gift. Share this with your professional counsel:
“I give, devise and bequeath (insert amount of gift, percentage of estate or residual of estate) to The PCC Farmland Fund, or its successor, with offices at 4201 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105.” - Consider giving specific assets to the Farmland Fund. These include, but aren’t limited to stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, or real estate. Such gifts may even provide tax savings.
- Name the Farmland Fund as the beneficiary of your pension plan, IRA, or 401(k) retirement plan. Doing so may avoid up to 70 percent in estate and income taxes.
- Remember loved ones with memorial gifts to your favorite nonprofits.
- Encourage family and friends to leave gifts to nonprofits in their wills.
- Ask your financial advisors to include charitable giving as part of counsel to their clients.
- Contact your nonprofit beneficiaries and let them know what you have arranged.
- Contact professional advisors who support Leave a Legacy, at www.leavelegacy.org.
To become a charter member of the Farmland Fund’s Legacy Society, call The PCC Farmland Trust at 206-547-1222.
Thanks for advice and counsel go to Cecilia Matta, Marketing Legacy Giving, at 206-725-2854.
Donor Roster (November 1 – 30)
Anonymous: 19
Cedar Acosta
Michaelene Adams
Stephen and Kathleen Appleyard
Anne Armstrong
John and Judy Armstrong
Eric and Danna D’Asaro
Connie Ball
Abigail Barden
Mary Berg
Elaine Boehmer
Jonathan W. Brown and Brynnen L. Ford
Susan Buckles
Gro Buer
Paul Buzzo
Annette Case
Arden Clise
Mark Cole and Dawne Swanson
Sally Deneen
Robert D. Dickerson
Theodore A. Dodge
Jane Eiseman
Jared and Cindi Gellert
David A. Heitmiller and Jacqueline Blix
Mary Jane Helmann
Susan Henderson
J. A. Hollis
Betty H. Hughes
Carol Isaac
Julie James
Nancy and Bob Kent
M. Kathleen Kinzel
Koichi and Fukuko Kobayashi
Donald Larson
Elena and David Leonard
Karen A. Lewis-Hart and Derek Hart
Ronald Long
Bartholda Manderville
M.S. McCabe/John Donaghy
Robert E. McClure
Robert Messina
Robert Nein
Diane and Mickey Nichols
A. Roxanne Scott and Randall R. Omel
Lisa Palmatier
Michelle Quigley Pearson
Carolyn and John Rodenberg
Chantal Stevens and Dennis Wajda
Mark and Nancy Tucker
Robbie Varney
Jeffrey A. Vaughan
Linda Versage
PCC Staff:
More than 100 PCC staff members make voluntary payroll deductions twice a month. Kathy Huet contributed her customer service bonus and both Marilyn McCormick and an anonymous donor made additional gifts.
In honor:
Isaac James
In memory:
Marijo and Jack Kinzel
Businesses and Organizations:
Good Nature Publishing Company
Microsoft Matching Gifts Program
TalkingRain Beverage Company
Wildwood Harvest Foods
The PCC Farmland Fund works to secure and preserve threatened farmland in Washington State and move it into organic production. For more information, see the PCC Farmland Fund.