November 2023 – A message from YLT’s new Executive Director
Dear Friend,
As we close out 2023, I want to share with you our accomplishments and goals for 2024. Since joining the Yolo Land Trust in January, we have closed one conservation easement and are busy working to close our next easement early in 2024. Together, these farms will add an additional 200 acres of conserved farmland in Yolo County. There are four additional conservation easement projects under development. We look forward to announcing more details on those projects in the coming months.
YLT has received two grants from the American Farmland Trust this year. The first is the Soil Health Stewards, a grant for promoting soil health practices with the farmers, ranchers, and others who own and manage permanently protected agricultural land. The other grant is the Land Transfer Navigator Program, this is an ambitious nationwide program to equip land trust staff with the knowledge and resources to assist landowners in navigating the transfer of their easement property to the next generation. The purpose of the Land Transfer Navigators Program is to dramatically increase the transfer of agricultural land to a new generation of farmers and ranchers. Both programs will allow YLT to provide valuable education and resources to our current and future conservation easement landowners.
To start 2024, YLT will be engaging in a strategic planning process with our Board of Directors, stakeholders, and conservation easement landowners. We hope to strengthen our current services and ensure that we are fully capable to continue and increase our capacity to protect Our Land, Our Future, throughout Yolo County. Additionally, we are excited to be celebrating our 35th Annual A Day in the Country and can’t wait to celebrate with our supporters!
Now is the time to make a year-end gift to YLT and show your commitment to conserving Yolo County farmland. Your gift allows YLT to be actively engaged in the conservation of our farmland. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust to continue to be a leader in land conservation.
All the best,
John Currey, Executive Director
Together, we can preserve more farms in Yolo County
As a nonprofit organization that is here to protect our valuable and precious farmland forever, YLT relies on donations from supporters like you.
Your donation allows YLT to:
- preserve future farmland in Yolo County
- strengthen our local food system
- protect wildlife habitat
- safeguard our rural heritage
- protect natural resources such as soil, clean air, and water
