10 Ways You Can Help
Promote & Protect South Sound Farms
1. Become a Member
Becoming a member is the easiest way to directly engage in our work. As a member, you’ll help preserve farmland, create a future that embraces community access to local foods, and promote affordable land and homes for farmers. You’ll also receive regular updates on our work, semi-annual newsletters, and invitations to special events throughout the year.
Follow this link to join our membership.
2. Volunteer
Share your skills and enthusiasm – do you like to talk to people about local food and farms? Have a knack for graphic design? Love to stuff envelopes? Have great ideas to share? Volunteering is a great way to meet your fellow land trust members and create the community support critical for saving farms.
Contact us to learn about volunteer opportunities and join our team!
3. Put on a party
Host a get-together for your organization, business, community group, or friends to learn more about the farmland trust. We’ll be happy to come give a presentation and answer questions about our work.
4. Attend a public hearing
And express your support for an effective Working Lands Strategic Plan in Thurston County that will protect farmland and help farmers stay economically viable. Contact us for the location and time of upcoming public hearings.
5. Let Us Know
Are you, or is someone you know, interested in selling or donating land or an easement? Interested in farming on trust land in the future? Contact us today to discuss our programs and opportunities.
6. Spread the word about the land trust and farmland protection
In the last five years, the acreage of actively farmed land in Thurston County has dropped nearly in half, from 74,420 to 38,718 acres. Now is the time to seize the opportunity to protect our remaining farmland for future generations.
You can keep up with our projects on our Facebook page or by joining our Mailing List
7. Come to a Board Meeting
Everyone is welcome to attend our board meetings. In fact, we look forward to seeing you! We meet at 6 PM on the second Tuesday of every month at 1609 6th Ave SW in Olympia. A typical meeting lasts 2 hours and begins with a potluck dinner.
8. Write a guest editorial
Voice your support for initiatives that promote local agriculture and fund farmland protection. Write a guest editorial to your local newspaper or favorite blog. Call us for more ideas and information.
9. Intern
Get credit for supporting local farms and farmers. Contact us to find out about our current internship opportunities.
10. Join a Committee
We’re currently seeking new members for each of our committees listed below. Please fill out our volunteer interest form to let us know how you’d like to get involved.
Yes, I want to help protect local farms and farmers!
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South of the Sound Community Farm Land Trust – Current Committees
Farmland Preservation Committee
This committee is responsible for advancing SSCFLT’s farmland preservation goals by developing and applying farmland acquisition criteria, working with farmers and farmland owners to identify their interests and needs, and advancing farmland preservation projects.
Volunteer Opportunities:
1. Assist with data gathering and analysis for the farmland inventory and other needs
2. Help research farmland acquisition and preservation grant sources
3. Help explore and evaluate farmland acquisition opportunities
4. Lawyers to help us develop and refine legal and administrative tools
Development Committee
This committee’s work is guided, in part, by Strategy B under Goal 2 in our Strategic Plan. The committee will facilitate and coordinate our work in fundraising.
Volunteer Opportunities:
1. Committee membership. Development and fundraising experience is not necessary, but this will be a great opportunity for members interested in learning about non-profit organizational development work under the guidance of experienced professionals.
2. Volunteers are always needed for fund raising events.
Finance Committee
This committee documents all SSCFLT income and expenses, makes the deposits and writes the checks, and produces financial reports for the board and membership. We also prepare our IRS 990 financial report form and draft an annual budget for board approval.
Volunteer Opportunities:
CPA individual or firm willing to donate accounting services and preparation for future compilation and financial audit.
Outreach Committee
This committee works to cultivate community relationships, educate stakeholders, and help people engage with the work of the land trust. The committee also oversees our board and staff efforts to build and support our membership and to promote our mission.
Volunteer Opportunities:
1. Farmers Market and Event tabling
2. Artistic/Graphic design expertise – newsletters, rack cards, brochures, table displays, slideshows.
3. Media outreach – write stories about the land trust and its members for local media outlets
4. Distributing Farm Maps!