In this episode, host Kristina chats with Kristina Villa and Ian McSweeney, co-founders and co-executive directors of The Farmers Land Trust. The Farmers Land Trust is a national nonprofit that directly engages with farmland protection and land access for farmers by accepting farm and land donations and then creating and supporting Farmland Commons, which are nonprofit landholding entities that are rooted in place and governed by local communities. We discuss the farmland commons model, current trends around land access, creative solutions, success stories, and resources. Hear more from the folks at the farmers land trust at our REGENERATE Conference coming up in Santa Fe on October 28 as they host a workshop around the farm land commons model.

1:09 introducing today’s guests, Kristina Vill and Ian McSweeney
2:20 what is The Farmers Land Trust?
3:18 what makes the Farmland Commons model special
8:10 where are the current Farmland Commons groups and how are they similar and different
16:12 bringing people together to overcome obstacles
19:15 balancing land donation to preserve their legacy and retirement planning
23:52 Current trends around land access
29:14 how can we link more beginning farmers with folks who are retiring and have land
38:55 shocking statistics: $400 billion in farmland debt, 400 million acres of farmland in transition
40:38 success stories they’ve seen in The Farmers Land Trust and previous experiences with other land trust groups
46:07 resources that are available for beginning farmers looking for land
50:30 how people can get involved with the Farmers Land Trust
54:11 sneak peek into The Farmers Land Trust workshop on October 28 at the REGENERATE Conference
55:30 Rapid questions round