Food is fundamental, and how we grow it can play a significant role in mitigating the effects of environmental challenges. Leading researchers note that the food, agriculture, and land use sectors are crucial to addressing the climate crisis. These sectors contribute ~24% of emissions from agricultural practices, making it a key pathway to pursue significant reductions in emissions. In addition, by improving our land use and agricultural practices, we maximize the potential for land-based enhancement of soil health, helping to reduce overall emissions.
Our vision is to address the negative impacts of environmental challenges while fostering more inclusive access to local, healthy, and sustainably grown food. We will achieve this by supporting organizations that focus on farmland stewardship, enhancing the sustainability of farm businesses, empowering farmers, strengthening regional food system infrastructure, and advancing adaptive, organic, and regenerative farming practices. We prioritize opportunities for organizations serving underserved communities, recognizing the systemic barriers they face in accessing land, healthy food, and sustainable farming enterprises. These communities also bear a disproportionate burden from the negative impacts of environmental challenges, making inclusion a core principle of our approach.
By investing in regional systems and supporting small farmers, we can tap into the potential of farming as a nature-based solution to environmental pressures, making it feasible for communities to embrace and benefit from “eating local.”
Funding Priorities
We prioritize partnerships with organizations and initiatives that address multiple interconnected components of a healthy and sustainable regional food system. Our focus is serving underserved small to medium-sized farmers and other individuals essential to creating a resilient food system. Our funding priorities include:
Building a Strong Regional Food System Infrastructure
Supporting shared facilities such as cold and dry storage, value-added processing centers, and distribution hubs to create economic opportunities and strengthen connections across the food system.
Providing Resources and Technical Support
Equipping farmers with essential tools, technical assistance, and access to emerging technologies that enhance farm resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness.
Advancing Regenerative and Adaptive Practices
Promoting farming approaches that improve soil health, foster biodiversity, and ensure long-term farm viability, positioning agriculture as a nature-based solution to environmental challenges.
By investing in these interconnected areas, we aim to create a forward-thinking and inclusive regional food system that benefits farmers, communities, and the environment.
Where We Work
Our work focuses on Western Washington. We are committed to refining our geographic scope as we grow and learn alongside our partners.
