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Nonprofiteer
← AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST

Form 990 for tax year 2024

Filed by AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST.

Totals

Total revenue
$48,402,808
Total expenses
$47,009,214
Contributions and grants received
$46,477,116
Grants paid
$7,692,716
Program service revenue
$110,119
Investment income
$1,117,020
Other revenue
$698,553
Total assets, end of year
$95,412,179
Total liabilities, end of year
$21,401,020
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$74,011,159
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$40,931,526
Management and general expenses
$1,408,190
Fundraising expenses
$4,669,498
Program service expenses (Part III)
$40,931,526

Program services were 87.1% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $2,083,437

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $20,501,666

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $23,892,013

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $5,061,380

  • 2a · Program service revenue: CONFERENCES

    total $110,119 · related or exempt $110,119

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $890,185 · excluded $890,185

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $86,983

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $86,983

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $86,983 · excluded $86,983

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $2,919,076

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $2,692,241

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $226,835

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $226,835 · excluded $226,835

  • 10a · Gross sales of inventory

    $13,790

  • 10b · Cost of goods sold

    $0

  • 10c · Net income from sales of inventory

    total $13,790 · related or exempt $13,790

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $597,780 · excluded $597,780

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $597,780

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 1 · Grants to domestic organizations and governments

    total $4,443,592 · program services $4,443,592

  • 2 · Grants to domestic individuals

    total $3,249,124 · program services $3,249,124

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $1,712,221 · program services $1,234,270 · management and general $477,951

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $16,896,796 · program services $14,949,073 · management and general $6,026 · fundraising $1,941,697

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $718,232 · program services $556,607 · management and general $51,967 · fundraising $109,658

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $7,573,267 · program services $6,767,710 · fundraising $805,557

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $1,737,662 · program services $1,328,660 · management and general $296,206 · fundraising $112,796

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $59,809 · program services $47,858 · management and general $8,655 · fundraising $3,296

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $289,282 · program services $221,192 · management and general $49,312 · fundraising $18,778

  • 11d · Fees: lobbying

    total $117,000 · program services $99,450 · management and general $2,340 · fundraising $15,210

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $361,200 · fundraising $361,200

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $89,781 · program services $68,649 · management and general $15,304 · fundraising $5,828

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $1,417,934 · program services $1,208,078 · management and general $34,715 · fundraising $175,141

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $211,947 · program services $188,886 · fundraising $23,061

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $2,480,713 · program services $1,883,351 · management and general $669 · fundraising $596,693

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $682,618 · program services $491,956 · management and general $87,434 · fundraising $103,228

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $568,643 · program services $467,061 · management and general $73,241 · fundraising $28,341

  • 17 · Travel

    total $986,628 · program services $829,561 · management and general $10,958 · fundraising $146,109

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $1,329,299 · program services $1,184,929 · management and general $11,112 · fundraising $133,258

  • 20 · Interest

    total $1,119,180 · program services $817,748 · management and general $232,010 · fundraising $69,422

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $177,152 · program services $134,991 · management and general $29,221 · fundraising $12,940

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $152,615 · program services $126,200 · management and general $19,130 · fundraising $7,285

  • 24a · Other expenses: NEWSLETTER & PUBLISHING

    total $374,092 · program services $372,153 · management and general $1,939

  • 24b · Other expenses: CONSERV. EASEMENT COSTS

    total $245,162 · program services $245,162

  • 24c · Other expenses: LAND COSTS

    total $15,265 · program services $15,265

  • 26 · Joint costs (an allocation of the lines above)

    total $3,101,934 · program services $2,003,822 · management and general $0 · fundraising $1,098,112

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,301,683 · end of year $609,409

  • 2 · Savings and temporary cash investments

    beginning of year $594,762 · end of year $335,638

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $29,728,978 · end of year $22,063,905

  • 7 · Other notes and loans receivable

    beginning of year $887,188 · end of year $931,813

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $64,155 · end of year $111,166

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $208,721 · end of year $139,356

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $22,174,021

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $1,616,431

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $20,092,970 · end of year $20,557,590

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $28,294,247 · end of year $31,353,680

  • 12 · Investments: other securities

    beginning of year $16,110,680 · end of year $16,024,713

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $3,561,778 · end of year $3,284,909

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $4,304,756 · end of year $6,447,061

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $285,999 · end of year $406,593

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $20,709,012 · end of year $9,222,628

  • 24 · Unsecured notes and loans payable

    end of year $1,801,661

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $3,394,211 · end of year $3,523,077

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $19,653,540 · end of year $11,719,847

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $52,497,644 · end of year $62,291,312

Mission and programs · 2024

Mission

SAVES THE LAND THAT SUSTAINS US BY PROTECTING FARMLAND, PROMOTING SOUND FARMING PRACTICES, AND KEEPING FARMERS ON THE LAND.

Activities or mission (Part I)

PROTECTS FARMLAND, PROMOTES SOUND FARMING PRACTICES, AND KEEPS FARMERS ON THE LAND.

  • STATE, LOCAL AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS -WE HAVE PROGRAMS IN THE FOLLOWING REGIONS: CALIFORNIA, MIDWEST, NEW YORK, NEW ENGLAND, MID-ATLANTIC, PACIFIC NORTHWEST, SOUTHEAST, AND TEXAS; AND OUR NATIONAL INITIATIVES ARE: AGRICULTURE CONSERVATION INNOVATIONS, SOIL HEALTH AND CLIMATE INITIATIVE, FARMLAND INFORMATION CENTER, FARM LEGACY, FARM VIABILITY, FARMS FOR A NEW GENERATION, FEDERAL POLICY, LAND PROTECTION, NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LAND NETWORK, WATER INITIATIVE, AND WOMEN FOR THE LAND. IN 2025, AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST:- ADVANCED 88 POLICY ACTIONS ON AFT PROPOSALS TO PROTECT FARMLAND, SUPPORT FARMERS AND STRENGTHEN AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY.- GREW THE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LAND NETWORK TO 1,610 MEMBERS FROM 620 ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS ALL 50 STATES.- PERMANENTLY PROTECTED 288 ACRES OF PRODUCTIVE FARMLAND AND WILDLIFE HABITAT AT SOLBAKKEN FARM IN WAUPACA COUNTY, WISCONSIN, THROUGH AN AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT.- SUPPORTED FARMER-LED SOIL HEALTH ADOPTION IN ILLINOIS THROUGH FIVE FARMER-LED ADVANCES IN SOIL HEALTH GROUPS THAT REACHED MORE THAN 60 FARMERS AND ENROLLED MORE THAN 8,000 ACRES THROUGH THE BATCH & GROW COVER CROP PROGRAM.- LAUNCHED PROSPERITY PARTNERS, A CONSULTING PROGRAM PROVIDING PROJECT-SPECIFIC GUIDANCE ON SOIL HEALTH, LAND MANAGEMENT, CONSERVATION PLANNING, AGRIVOLTAICS AND FARM VIABILITY.- LED A COALITION OF 16 ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH THE PFAS AND AGRICULTURE POLICY WORKGROUP AND RELEASED THE NATION'S FIRST COMPREHENSIVE SET OF FEDERAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS PFAS CONTAMINATION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.- REACHED MORE THAN 2,080 WOMEN PRODUCERS AND LANDOWNERS ACROSS 16 STATES THROUGH WOMEN FOR THE LAND LEARNING CIRCLES.- RELEASED NEW TOOLS FOR FARMERS, LANDOWNERS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING THE PLANNING FOR AGRICULTURE IN VIRGINIA TOOLKIT, ACEP-ALE LANDOWNER RESOURCES AND THE FARMER PEER NETWORK TRAINING TOOLKIT.- CONTINUED TO EXPAND AFT'S LAND TRANSFER NAVIGATORS INITIATIVE, WHICH BY THE END OF 2025 HAD REACHED NEARLY 50,000 FARMERS AND RANCHERS ACROSS 30 STATES AND INFLUENCED STEWARDSHIP DECISIONS ON ALMOST 1,000 SQUARE MILES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.- SURPASSED $5 MILLION AWARDED THROUGH THE BRIGHTER FUTURE FUND TO MORE THAN 2,000 FARMERS AND RANCHERS ACROSS ALL 50 STATES AND U.S. TERRITORIES SINCE THE FUND'S LAUNCH.- DISTRIBUTED $2 MILLION IN EMERGENCY RESILIENCE GRANTS, PROVIDING $10,000 GRANTS TO 200 FARMERS AND RANCHERS IMPACTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS, AVIAN FLU OUTBREAKS AND UNEXPECTED MARKET LOSSES.- AWARDED $896,600 THROUGH REGENERATE VIRGINIA TO 38 FARMERS AND RANCHERS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING SOIL HEALTH AND LONG-TERM FARM VIABILITY.- AWARDED $753,000 THROUGH NEW ENGLAND REGENERATIVE LIVESTOCK FARMING GRANTS TO 83 PRODUCERS WORKING TO STRENGTHEN GRAZING SYSTEMS, PROTECT WATER RESOURCES AND IMPROVE SOIL HEALTH.- CONTINUED TO ADVANCE FARMLAND FOR A NEW GENERATION NEW YORK, WHICH SINCE ITS LAUNCH HAS FACILITATED 211 SUCCESSFUL MATCHES CONNECTING FARMERS WITH MORE THAN 10,600 ACRES OF FARMLAND.- CONTINUED TO BUILD MOMENTUM FOR U.S. FARMED, AFT'S CERTIFICATION AND TRANSPARENCY STANDARD VERIFYING THAT CONSUMER-PACKAGED GOODS CONTAIN AT LEAST 95% U.S.-GROWN INGREDIENTS.- CERTIFIED SIOUX HONEY ASSOCIATION CO-OP'S SUE BEE AND AUNT SUE'S BRANDS AS THE FIRST HONEY PRODUCTS IN THE NATION TO EARN AFT'S U.S. FARMED CERTIFICATION.

    Expenses $35,458,057 · Grants $7,655,950

  • COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA OUTREACH -AFT CONTINUOUSLY ENGAGES THE PUBLIC THROUGH OUR DIRECT COMMUNICATIONS WITH OUR MEMBERS, DONORS, VARIOUS PUBLICATIONS AND MEDIA OUTREACH.IN 2025, AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST:- RELEASED A BIOCHAR IN AGRICULTURE TOOLKIT AND HOSTED A NATIONAL BIOCHAR WEBINAR SERIES THAT DREW MORE THAN 12,000 VIEWS.- RELEASED TWO MAJOR SMART SOLAR REPORTS FOCUSED ON TEXAS AND WASHINGTON STATE AND PUBLISHED THE SOLAR SOIL HEALTH GUIDE TO HELP PROTECT SOIL DURING SOLAR CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION.

    Expenses $2,131,145 · Grants $3,864

  • PUBLIC EDUCATION -ADVOCATE - AFT FIGHTS FOR PROGRAMS AND POLICIES THAT SAVE FARMLAND, SUPPORT FARMERS AND ENHANCE OUR ENVIRONMENT.EDUCATE - AFT EDUCATES THE PUBLIC ABOUT OUR NATION'S FARMS, FARMLAND AND FARMERS.INNOVATE - AFT PIONEERS CUTTING-EDGE TECHNIQUES THAT PROTECT FARMLAND AND PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES.INVESTIGATE - AFT CONDUCTS RESPECTED RESEARCH AS THE FOUNDATION OF OUR PROGRAMS.COLLABORATE - AFT BUILDS COALITIONS TO ACHIEVE LARGE-SCALE SOLUTIONS AND LASTING CHANGE.IN 2025, AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST:- TRAINED OR OFFERED DIRECT SUPPORT TO 14,342 FARMERS AND RANCHERS NATIONWIDE.- TRAINED OR OFFERED DIRECT SUPPORT TO 36,444 PROFESSIONALS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS WORKING TO SUPPORT FARMERS, RANCHERS AND AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES.- CONVENED FARMERS, LAND TRUSTS, PUBLIC AGENCIES, PLANNERS AND ADVOCATES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AT "SAVING AMERICA'S WORKING LANDS," A NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOCUSED ON ACCELERATING FARMLAND AND RANCHLAND PROTECTION.- ADVANCED SOIL HEALTH STEWARDSHIP THROUGH AFT'S SOIL HEALTH STEWARDS PROGRAM, WHICH OVER FIVE YEARS HAS TRAINED 239 STAFF FROM 123 LAND TRUSTS AND PUBLIC AGENCIES IN 36 STATES AND REACHED MORE THAN 260,000 PRODUCERS AND LANDOWNERS INFLUENCING 6.5 MILLION ACRES.- EXPANDED AFT'S SMART SOLAR LEADERSHIP THROUGH FARMER GUIDANCE, RESEARCH, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TOOLS DESIGNED TO KEEP AGRICULTURAL LAND IN PRODUCTION WHILE SUPPORTING RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT.- LAUNCHED AGRI-TECH WITH THE NATIONAL LABORATORY OF THE ROCKIES TO PROVIDE FARMERS WITH FREE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON AGRICULTURAL DUAL-USE SOLAR SYSTEMS.

    Expenses $1,774,422 · Grants $5,208 · Revenue $123,909

  • OTHER PROGRAMS.

    Expenses $1,567,902 · Grants $27,694

As filed on the 2024 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Grant Winthrop

    CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Helene Dillard

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Ralph Grossi

    VICE CHAIR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Robert E Egerton Jr

    TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    3
  • Lillian Ebonie Alexander

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Emily Broad Leib

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Lynn Clarkson

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jonathan Coppess

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Otto Doering

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Val Dolcini

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Becky Doyle

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Gina Gallo

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Jennie Turner Garlington

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Alex Hart

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Klaas Martens

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Larkin Martin

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Cannon Michael

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Allen Penn

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • Abby Stranahan

    DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1
  • John F Piotti

    PRESIDENT & CEO

    Total calculated
    $718,838
    From this org
    $645,025
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $73,813
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $495,525
    Bonus
    $149,500
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $50,328
    Nontaxable benefits
    $23,485
    Filer's total
    $718,838
  • Ashley Bovino Cfo And Vp Of

    FINANCE & ADMIN.

    Total calculated
    $367,942
    From this org
    $327,365
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $40,577
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $302,365
    Bonus
    $25,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $30,366
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,211
    Filer's total
    $367,942
  • Rick Monk Vice President

    SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $269,294
    From this org
    $244,582
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $24,712
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $244,582
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $24,712
    Nontaxable benefits
    $0
    Filer's total
    $269,294
  • Kathie Lwanga

    ASSISTANT SECRETARY

    Total calculated
    $116,092
    From this org
    $93,514
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,578
    Hours/week
    37.5
  • John Larson

    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

    Total calculated
    $290,055
    From this org
    $255,927
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $34,128
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $235,927
    Bonus
    $20,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $23,917
    Nontaxable benefits
    $10,211
    Filer's total
    $290,055
  • Beth Sauerhaft

    VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS

    Total calculated
    $274,243
    From this org
    $241,149
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $33,094
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $206,149
    Bonus
    $35,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $20,924
    Nontaxable benefits
    $12,170
    Filer's total
    $274,243
  • Mini Aggarwal

    FINANCE CONTROLLER

    Total calculated
    $224,386
    From this org
    $193,600
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,786
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $193,600
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $19,574
    Nontaxable benefits
    $11,212
    Filer's total
    $224,386
  • David Haight

    VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS

    Total calculated
    $236,413
    From this org
    $185,749
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $50,664
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $185,749
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $19,851
    Nontaxable benefits
    $30,813
    Filer's total
    $236,413
  • Timothy Fink

    POLICY DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $198,645
    From this org
    $179,872
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $18,773
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $159,872
    Bonus
    $20,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $16,695
    Nontaxable benefits
    $2,078
    Filer's total
    $198,645
  • Lea Harvey

    VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT

    Total calculated
    $244,831
    From this org
    $203,413
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $41,418
    Hours/week
    37.5

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $203,413
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $15,639
    Nontaxable benefits
    $25,779
    Filer's total
    $244,831

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Written employment contract
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 7
DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, THE ORGANIZATION MADE BONUS PAYMENTS BASED ON THE EMPLOYEES' PERFORMANCE.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

The 10 largest by cash amount. The API serves every itemized grant.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2024
Filed
15 July 2026
IRS schema version
2024v5.5
Source object
202631969349300838

Check it against the return as filed: the GivingTuesday Data Lake hosts a public copy of the original XML.

The source document this was parsed from is served over the API, which is where bulk and document access live.