American Farmland Trust
Meets Standards
Standards For Charity Accountability
Governance
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Board Oversight
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Board Size
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Board Meetings
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Board Compensation
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Conflict of Interest
Measuring Effectiveness
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Effectiveness Policy
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Effectiveness Report
Finances
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Program Expenses
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Fundraising Expenses
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Accumulating Funds
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Audit Report
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Detailed Expense Breakdown
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Accurate Expense Reporting
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Budget Plan
Fundraising & Info
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Truthful Materials
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Annual Report
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Website Disclosures
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Donor Privacy
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Cause Marketing Disclosures
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Complaints
American Farmland Trust meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Stated Purpose:
"to save the land that sustains us by protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land."
Year, State Incorporated:
1980, DC
American Farmland Trust (AFT) is a national agricultural organization that protects farmland, promotes sound farming practices, and keeps farmers on the land. AFT connects land protection, on-farm stewardship, and farm viability to deliver measurable outcomes for working lands and the communities they support. In 2025, AFT reports that it trained or provided direct support to 50,786 farmers, ranchers, and agricultural leaders, expanding access to conservation tools, technical assistance, and peer learning. AFT works to protect farmland and ranchland through permanent conservation easements, smart growth policies, and innovative partnerships with landowners and communities. The organization reports efforts such as easements help maintain productive agricultural land, support wildlife habitat, and strengthen long-term farm viability. Through research, technical resources, and convening, AFT reports that it strengthens the broader agricultural system. The National Agricultural Land Network includes more than 1,600 members from 620 organizations, providing data, training, and peer learning. AFT’s programs also improve market access and farm profitability. Initiatives such as U.S. Farmed verify products containing at least 95% U.S.-grown ingredients, while Smart Solar work helps farmers evaluate renewable energy opportunities that maintain land in production. In addition, AFT provides direct financial support to farmers.
For the year ended September 30, 2025, American Farmland Trust's program expenses were:
| State, local and federal programs | $35,458,057 |
| Communications and media outreach | $2,131,145 |
| Public education | $1,774,422 |
| Other programs | $1,715,744 |
| Total Program Expenses | $41,079,368 |
Chief Executive
John F. Piotti, President and Chief Executive Officer
Compensation*
$718,838
Chair of the Board
Robert E. Egerton, Jr.
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Retired President, Eastern Division of the Agribusiness Banking Group, CoBank
Board Size
20
Paid Staff Size
256
*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Invitations to fund raising events, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Television, Internet, Planned giving arrangements, Cause-related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.), Membership appeals
AFT incurred joint costs of $3,101,934 for informational materials and activities that included fundraising materials. Of those costs $2,003,822 was allocated to program expenses and $1,098,112 was allocated to fundraising.
Fundraising costs were 18% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $26,471,532, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on American Farmland Trust's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2025.
Source of Funds
| State, local and federal government grants | $20,501,666 |
| Contributions | $15,537,797 |
| Foundation and corporate grants | $5,699,580 |
| Investment income, net | $3,166,595 |
| Membership | $2,083,437 |
| Other contributions - land projects | $1,335,664 |
| Donated farm property and equipment - land projects | $1,065,000 |
| Other income | $698,555 |
| Bequests and other gift instruments | $364,090 |
| In-kind contributions | $248,610 |
| Investment income, net - charitable gift annuities | $9,794 |
| Total Income | $50,710,788 |
Programs: 87% Fundraising: 10% Administrative: 3%
| Total Income | $50,710,788 |
| Total expenses: | $47,168,043 |
| Program expenses | $41,079,368 |
| Fundraising expenses | $4,678,744 |
| Administrative expenses | $1,409,931 |
| Other expenses | $0 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses | $3,542,745 |
| Beginning Net Assets | $72,151,184 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets | $-1,682,770 |
| Ending Net Assets | $74,011,159 |
| Total Liabilities | $21,401,020 |
| Total Assets | $95,412,179 |
Note 1: For the year ended September 30, 2025, AFT reported in-kind farm property and equipment donations totaling $1,065,000.
Note 2: In the above finanical section, "other changes in net assets" represents change value on split-interest agreements (-$42,770) and impairment loss (-$1,640,000).
An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.
This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.
RELATED CONTENT
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Meets Standards
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Standards Not Met
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Did Not Disclose
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Review in Progress
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Unable to Verify
Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance