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Featured Agrarian Commons Fundraisers
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Southwest Virginia Agrarian Commons Farm Acquisition
Fundraising for the Acquisition of Lick Run Farm for the Southwest Virginia Agrarian CommonsDONATE -
Central Virginia Agrarian Commons Urban Farm Acquisition
The Petersburg Oasis CommUNITY Farm is located in an area that offers an opportunity for incredible social, health, and economic impact.DONATE
Commons Groundswell is a podcast that examines human relationships with land through inspiring conversations with leaders, change-makers, and Agrarian Trust collaborators.
Vision
Nationally supported, community-held land and agrarian property that supports sustainable food production, ecological stewardship, community vitality, and equitable land access for the next generation of farmers and ranchers.
Rationale
We are in the midst of 400 million acres of US land changing hands as thousands of farmers and ranchers retire, yet next generation farmers struggle to access land. Innovative models of ownership and stewardship are needed to support the next generation, heal the land, and grow food sustainably.
Work
We innovate in land ownership and access to transform our relationships to the land and each other, fostering regenerative agriculture and care for the earth. We build the issue and reframe solutions, collaborating with communities of stakeholders to create the Agrarian Commons in support of the next generation of farmers and ranchers. We work for racial and gender equity as an integral part of our efforts toward environmental and climate justice.
Initiatives
The Commons Alliance is an emerging learning network that will share support and resources to build collective power with farmers, land owners, land trusts, and communities seeking to hold land in common.
A necessary and innovative approach to address the realities of farmland owner demographics, wealth disparity, farm viability, and all who are excluded and marginalized from equity in land, food, and community.
FaithLands is a growing national movement to connect and inspire faith communities to use their land in new ways that promote ecological and human health, support local food and farming, enact reparative justice, and strengthen communities.
Our Most Recent Blog Posts
Food Systems and Security
Regenerative Farmers Need Land
Regenerative farming is on the rise. According to the 2022 survey by National Young Farmer
Agrarian Trust
Agrarian Trust and Partner Organizations Receive USDA Grant Funding
Twelve organizations, including Rural Action on behalf of the Central Appalachian Network,
Agrarian Trust
Agrarian Commons Farmers go to DC
Agrarian Commons farmers Cam Terry, Duron Chavis, and Tyrone Cherry III joined the Nationa
Agrarian Commons
Introducing Commons Groundswell, the Agrarian Trust Podcast
Over the course of the podcast’s eight episode first season, Commons Groundswell will co
Food Systems and Security
Food Sovereignty & Regenerative Agriculture at COP 27
A growing body of evidence, including a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate C
Agrarian Trust
The Bhoodan Movement and Land Gifts as Revolutionary Practice
The Bhoodan movement serves as an example of the limitations of land-gifting, as well as i
Sustainable Farming
Butz’s Law of Economics
In 1977, two of the most influential figures in the history of American agriculture met at
Land Justice and Equity
What is the Dead Sea Declaration?
The Dead Sea Declaration comes at a critical moment in the movement for a more just and su
Agrarian Commons
New Roots Builds Connections Between Local Farms and Schools
For the past year and a half, every Wednesday has been West Virginia Wednesday. On these d
Agrarian Commons
Give the Gift of the Commons
As 2022 draws to a close, we want to take a moment from the bustle of the season to reflec
Agrarian Commons
Weaving Webs of Connection with the Tennessee Local Food Summit
When Poppen founded the Tennessee Local Food Summit in 2010, it was the latest in a decade
Op-Eds
What Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” Can Teach Us About Preserving the Land
One sight that has become conspicuously absent from modern life is the small, biodiverse f
Agrarian Commons
The Ogallala Aquifer, Water Depletion, and the Promise of the Commons
In California and the Midwest, extended droughts have already caused farmers to draw heavi
Agrarian Trust
The Global Roots of Community Land Ownership
A CLT, according to Center for Community Land Trust Innovation, “is a nonprofit corporat
Sustainable Farming
Combatting Climate Change
The good news is, while emissions reduction is still the most important way to mitigate cl
Agrarian Commons
Agrarian Trust Co-sponsored the 2022 Food Week of Action
Last week, food justice organizations around the country observed the Food Week of Action,
Land Access Stories
Global Spotlight: Community Land Scotland
The Agrarian Trust is just one of many organizations across the world dedicated to the adv
Agrarian Commons
The Legacy of Land
While these are the most common options donors use to transfer land into an Agrarian Commo
Agrarian Commons
Envisioning the Future of Black Seed Agroecological Farm and Village
Black Seed Agroecological Village and Farm is still in the beginning stages of development
Food Systems and Security
What is Agroecology?
Agroecology is simply a continuation of these millennia of knowledge accumulation. Any one
Food Systems and Security
Key Findings From National Young Farmers Coalition’s 2022 Farmer Survey
According to the survey, 59 percent of farmers surveyed reported that finding affordable l
Agrarian Commons
Rebuilding the Soil with Steve Normanton
Rotational grazing is an exercise in balance and careful observation, requiring the farmer
Agrarian Commons
Ensuring Donated Land Gets Managed Equitably
For Callie, successfully conserving agricultural land with issues of racial equity and env
Agrarian Commons
Building the Foundations for Food Sovereignty at Lick Run
Community engagement and youth education play key roles in Terry’s vision for Lick Run F
Agrarian Trust
The Agrarian Commons, Land Stewardship, and the Racist History of Land Conservation
As a land conservation organization, it is important for Agrarian Trust to grapple with th
Agrarian Commons
Ostrom’s Eight Design Principles for a Successfully Managed Commons
Torbel came to international attention in 1990, when Ostrom published her groundbreaking s
Agrarian Trust
La Via Campesina
La Via Campesina coined the term food sovereignty in 1996, against the background of an in
Land Access Stories
What can we learn from Deshee Farm? A Visual History
While farms like Deshee failed to take hold in the United States and had significant limit
Agrarian Commons
Restoring Native Pollinator Habitats with the Agrarian Commons
In the past twenty years, habitat loss, pests, pathogens, a lack of genetic diversity amon
Agrarian Trust
What are the Rights of Nature?
An ecologically responsible, regenerative approach to land management is at the center of
Agrarian Commons
Enclosure: Old and New
The Agrarian Commons is part of a long history of innovative commoning practices that have
Agrarian Commons
Commodity or Commons: Finance Capital and the Commodification of Land
The first major entity to begin investing in farmland as an asset was Teachers Insurance a
Agrarian Commons
Oasis and Community in Petersburg, Virginia
“What it means for our community... it means a sense of hope,” said Cherry. “It’s
Agrarian Trust
Studies of the Agrarian Commons in the Higher Education Community
The Agrarian Commons model, now in its implementation phase, is being studied by researche
Agrarian Commons
Virginia, a Resettlement State
America has always been a mix of cultural food traditions. We enj
Agrarian Trust
Mark Lancaster Joins Agrarian Trust as Development Director
There is little doubt that over the next 5-10 years upwards of 400 million acres of land i
Giving and Fundraisers
Press Release: Announcing New Land Acquisition Project for the Central Virginia Agrarian Commons
The Central Virginia Agrarian Commons (AC) is announcing its first land acquisition projec
Land Justice and Equity
Juneteenth: A Celebration of Black Resistance
Using land as a pathway for growth and upward mobility has always been an American traditi
Agrarian Commons
Healing the Land Through Community Collaboration in the Southwest Virginia Agrarian Commons
As the campaign to raise $426,250 to purchase Lick Run Farm gains momentum, the Harvest Co
Agrarian Trust
Fighting for Domestic and Global Food Sovereignty
The high cost of land, racial inequity and land grabbing that underpins agriculture in the
Agrarian Commons
Cultivating Resiliency in Roanoke, Virginia
As a recipient of Roanoke City’s share of American Rescue Plan funding, LEAP is working
Agrarian Trust
Equity & Justice Research Grant
The Gund Institute for Environment, based out of the University of Vermont (UVM), recently
Agrarian Trust
The Diggers Today: Enclosure, Manure, and Resistance
Such historical examples of commoning practices and resistance to land enclosures not only
Agrarian Commons
Explore the Farm and Fundraise with Frankie the Cat
The authors of Frankie Explores the Farm, Courtney Taylor and Harmony Marquardt, are donat
Land Access Strategies
The International Land Coalition Commits to New Strategy Centered on Restoring Land Rights to Dispossessed Communities
The International Land Coalition has released a new strategy that centers on securing land
Agrarian Commons
All Against All to All for One: Moving Beyond the Tragedy of the Commons
In April 1651, the political theorist Thomas Hobbes published his most well-known literary
Giving and Fundraisers
Press Release: Announcing New Land Acquisition Project for the Southwest Virginia Agrarian Commons
The Southwest VA AC needs to raise $251,329 through a fundraising campaign to fully fund t
Food Systems and Security
Redlining’s Legacy: Disinvestment in Black Communities in Virginia
Redlining was a red mark against these robust neighborhoods, meaning that they could not c
Agrarian Commons
Defending Workers and Supporting the Commons: A Q&A with Sam Petsonk
Sam Petsonk has spent his career challenging injustices in the courts and the legislature,
Agrarian Commons
Creating Land Access & Tenure for Black Farmers in Virginia
While securing land tenure is a challenge facing farmers of every race in this country, Ag
Commons Alliance
Beyond Protection: New River Land Trust Builds on Conservation Successes to Pave the Way Toward Farmer-Led Stewardship
The New River Land Trust has been protecting parcels of land in the New River region of so
Agrarian Commons
Black-led Modest Family Solutions has been selected as the long-term leaseholder and steward for the Puget Sound Agrarian Commons farmland
The Puget Sound Agrarian Commons (AC) has chosen Adasha Turner, founder and director of Mo
Agrarian Commons
A Community Land Trust Seeds the New Hampshire Agrarian Commons
In June 2021, the first farm was transferred into the New Hampshire Agrarian Commons. The
Agrarian Commons
Changemaker Profile: Renard Turner and the Central Virginia Agrarian Commons
A Q&A with Renard Turner, co-owner and operator of Vanguard Ranch and founding board membe
Land Access Strategies
Muhidin Libah and Ian McSweeney Share a Recounting on America’s Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen Reporter Ashia Aubourg recently produced a story about the successf
Agrarian Commons
Principles of the Commons
Farmer, permaculturist, and author Tao Orion writes about the commons as a means to land s
Press Releases and Announcements
Building Equitable Farmland Tenure Models for Farmers in the Upper Midwest
We are thrilled to announce that Agrarian Trust has been awarded a grant from the North Ce
Agrarian Commons
West Virginia Farmland Fundraiser Paints a Picture of Connection
Agrarian Trust fully funded its third fundraiser on October 12th, 2021. Working together w
Commons Alliance
Foodlands Cooperative of British Columbia
If you drive east from Vancouver for about an hour and a half on a Saturday morning, you c
Agrarian Commons
Changemaker Profile: Jillian Hishaw and Systemic Land Theft
A reflection from author, attorney, and landowner advocate Jillian Hishaw as she discusses
Agrarian Commons
Changemaker Profile: Adam Hodges and the West Virginia Agrarian Commons
A Q&A with Adam Hodges, founding board member of the West Virginia Agrarian Commons, Commu
Faithlands
Reparative Justice: From Theory to Reality
In celebration of Juneteenth, we’re posting an excerpt from the FaithLands Toolkit. Whil
Giving and Fundraisers
Food, land, and farm businesses are working together to transform land ownership in the US
Businesses recognize our collective stake in the earth and are willing to direct energy an
Agrarian Commons
Vermont Agrarian Commons – A New Model of Community Land Partnership for Regenerative Farms
Corie Pierce of Bread and Butter Farm on why the Agrarian Commons offers a strong and vibr
Giving and Fundraisers
Tito’s Vodka and Greenleaf Restaurant in NH raising funds to support Agrarian Trust
Greenleaf in NH has announced that they are joining with Titos Vodka to support Agrarian T
Agrarian Commons
Press Release: Local Agrarian Commons Co-founders Honored with Food Sovereignty Prize
Please join us in congratulating the Somali Bantu Community Association of Maine (SBCA), c
Commons Alliance
Agrarian Trust featured in Catalytic Capital and Agriculture
The team at Agrarian Trust is thrilled to see the Agrarian Commons model of community-held
Food Systems and Security
The Fault in Our Farming
Humanity can no longer afford to ignore the myriad ways in which monoculture is unsustaina
Agrarian Commons
How we fundraised $367,000 in 8 weeks for land justice
Together, we’ve just finished our first farm acquisition fundraiser at Agrarian Trust in
Land Justice and Equity
Action & Commitment for Racial Equity
The recent uprisings are shaking the world. We are again at a tipping point that is a long
Agrarian Commons
Agrarian Trust & Patagonia Invest in Pollinator Habitat Design & Implementation at Two Agrarian Commons Farms
Agrarian Trust and Patagonia are both investing to support ecological stewardship on two A
Agrarian Commons
Agrarian Trust’s First Farm Fundraiser
Agrarian Trust, with the support of our incredible community has launched ten Agrarian Com
Food Systems and Security
Harnessing the Power of Local
Agrarian Commons farms, which operate under the joint stewardship of farmers across a comm
Agrarian Commons
Could Putting Farmland in the Commons Support Land Justice and Sustainability?
The Agrarian Trust aims to help farmers access land and stay on it, while fostering a syst
Sustainable Farming
Guest Post: Teaching the Next Generation Through Sustainable Agriculture
One of the most important gifts we can pass on to future generations is the reconnection t
Commons Alliance
New Report: “Driving Dispossession: The Global Push to “Unlock the Economic Potential of Land”
Driving Dispossession: The Global Push to “Unlock the Economic Potential of Land,” sou
Agrarian Commons
Press Release: Somali Bantu Community Association Finds Dream Farm – Little Jubba Central Maine Agrarian Commons
The Little Jubba Central Maine AC found their dream farm (107 acres in Maine). Agrarian Tr
Land Justice and Equity
Antiracism Resources
Do the work to become antiracist. Continually seek to educate yourself and your community.
Food Systems and Security
Guest Post: How Farmers’ Markets Have Been Affected by COVID-19
The struggle to legitimize farmers' markets as essential services has been a hard-fought b
Agrarian Trust
Press Release: Agrarian Trust Selected for the Chipotle Aluminaries Project 2.0 Accelerator Program
Agrarian Trust has been selected to participate in the Chipotle Aluminaries Project 2.0 wh
Agrarian Commons
Agrarian Commons: A New Model for Community-Owned Farmland
On May 4th, 2020, Agrarian Trust announced the launch of a transformative new model for co
Agrarian Commons
Vernon Family Farm: Joining the New Hampshire Agrarian Commons
Situated on 33 acres in Newfields, NH, Vernon Family Farm is a pastured poultry operation
Press Releases and Announcements
Press Release: Agrarian Trust Launches the Agrarian Commons, A National Model for Community-Centered Farm Ownership
Today Agrarian Trust announces the launch of the Agrarian Commons, a transformative new mo
Agrarian Commons
Reflections from Agrarian Trust on the Coronavirus Crisis & Our Food System
Ian McSweeney “While the crisis brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic is significant,
Food Systems and Security
Resources for Farmers During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In moments of crisis, immediate interventions and resources offered by service providers a
Food Systems and Security
Globalize the Struggle! Globalize Hope! Course Held
A reflection on participation in the U.S. Food Sovereignty Alliance first national Politic
Agrarian Commons
Guest Post: Idaho is Losing Farmland Fast
Could Sustainable Agriculture Save It? As farmland in Idaho begins to disappear in favor o
Commons Alliance
How to Win Land Justice in a Decade
By Neil Thapar, Food and Farm Director, Sustainable Economies Law Center Originally p
Agrarian Commons
Struggles and Strategies of the Farmland Trust Movement Across Europe
In September, I participated in a convening on land access alongside a group of 90 partici
Agrarian Commons
A Landscape in Transition
Frost and early snow over the last month and the last of the brown and yellow leaves are s
Agrarian Commons
Sweet Land: The Story of a Collaborative Farming Model that Saved Two Dairies
This is the story of the revival of two dairy farms as a result of regenerative farming pr
Agrarian Commons
The 100 Year History of the San Pedro Commons
2018 marked the hundred-year anniversary of the privatization of the San Pedro Land grant,
Agrarian Commons
Land in Common: A Bold and Patient Model for Agrarian Reform in Maine
Land in Common is a Community Land Trust in Maine, born out of a community-focused, land j
Agrarian Commons
Portraits of the Agrarian Trust Collective: #Inktober
This October, Agrarian Trust is spotlighting the farmers and ranchers who put food on our
Agrarian Trust
Using Multiple Community-based Land Trusts to Save Farmland
Agrarian Commons closely resemble community land trusts, but they are unique in that they
Commons Alliance
For a Greener New Deal and Cooler Climate, Focus on Food and Agriculture
A successful Green New Deal will integrate what we know about carbon, emissions, and pollu
Commons Alliance
Nos Robaron La Tierra / They Stole the Land From Us
by Vanessa García Polanco What do you want the future of your land to be? “Nos robaron
Faithlands
Certified Naturally Grown Matches the Stewardship Practices Faith-Based Institutions Are Looking To Adopt
By Jillian Hishaw, Esq. According to a 2015 Consumer Report, 67 percent of Americans are w
Food Systems and Security
Let’s talk about the land!
by Vanessa García Polanco When you’re driving in rural America and pass a farm, do you
Land Justice and Equity
Going Beyond Diversity and Inclusion in Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources
by Vanessa García Polanco In many of my roles as a food, agriculture, and natural resourc