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Home My WebLink About070825 email - New Guidebook Offers Roadmap to Equitable Farmland Transfers through Buy-Protect-Sell ProjectsALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. Hello Josh and Commissioners, We’re excited to share this resource with you as an example of the innovative tools being developed right here in our community. This locally created resource (originating from our small rural region) has already generated interest at both the state and national levels. It’s a point of pride and a testament to the leadership and creativity that continues to emerge from our area in supporting agriculture. Please do reach out with any questions! FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jefferson Land Trust announces the release of a groundbreaking new guidebook, Selling Conserved Farmland and Advancing Viability: A Practical Guide to the Final Stage of Buy-Protect-Sell Projects, designed to help land trusts, agencies, and conservation practitioners equitably and effectively transfer protected farmland. Developed by Jefferson Land Trust and the Jefferson LandWorks Collaborative, this guide draws on nearly a decade of hands-on experience in Jefferson County, Washington, where innovative farmland transfers have balanced conservation goals with equitable land access and long-term farm viability. “This guidebook is about more than land transactions - it’s about ensuring farmland remains affordable, accessible, and productive for generations to come,” said Kellie Henwood at Washington State University Extension and Jefferson LandWorks Collaborative. The guide focuses on the “Sell” stage of Buy-Protect-Sell (BPS) projects, a strategic conservation approach where land is purchased, permanently protected, and then transferred to farmers in a way that ensures ongoing stewardship and agricultural productivity. While many conservation entities are well-versed in acquiring and protecting farmland, few have resources for navigating the final — and often most complex — stage: selling the land equitably. Key Features of the Guidebook Include: • Step-by-step process for conducting transparent, values-based farmer selection • Sample RFPs, evaluation tools, and affordability covenants • Key takeaways and lessons learned from real BPS and farm transfer projects • Strategies for embedding equity, access, and long-term viability into every stage of the process According to the American Farmland Trust, an estimated 41% of U.S. farmland expected to change hands by 2035. This guidebook plays a critical role in addressing the urgent challenges of land speculation and the need to keep farmland in active agricultural use. Furthermore, it contributes to dismantling long-standing structural barriers that have historically excluded underserved farmers, establishing itself as a key resource in promoting equitable access to farmland. This guidebook addresses those barriers by offering a replicable framework for organizations across the country. Authors: Blaise Sullivan, Conservation Project Manager, Jefferson Land Trust Blaise Sullivan is the Conservation Project Manager with Jefferson Land Trust. Bringing over seven years of experience in land conservation and stewardship, Blaise manages complex conservation projects that protect critical habitats, working lands, and other significant community priorities while fostering long-term ecological resilience and community engagement. Blaise chairs the Land Trust’s Community & Accountability Committee, where she advances organizational practices that center equity and community access in land conservation initiatives. Her leadership bridges environmental conservation and social responsibility, reflecting a commitment to inclusive and lasting impact across Jefferson County and beyond. Kellie Henwood, Regional Small Farms Program Coordinator, Washington State University Extension, and Jefferson LandWorks Collaborative Kellie Henwood is a Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems professional with over 20 years of experience supporting small farms and local food systems in Washington State. As Regional Small Farms Program Coordinator for WSU Extension, she leads educational programming, technical assistance, and strategic outreach across Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties. Kellie also serves as the Coordinator of the Jefferson LandWorks Collaborative, where she facilitates innovative farmland access solutions, including land transfer initiatives that prioritize equity and inclusion. Her work bridges education, policy, and community-based partnerships to build resilient food and farming systems across the Olympic Peninsula. Download the Guidebook: https://saveland.org/buy-protect-sell-guidebook/ Request a Review Copy or Interview: Blaise Sullivan, bsullivan@saveland.org <mailto:bsullivan@saveland.org> Learn more at www.saveland.org <http://www.saveland.org> or www.jeffersonlandworks.org <http://www.jeffersonlandworks.org> Media Contact: Kellie Henwood, Jefferson LandWorks Collaborative, Info@jeffersonlandworks.org <mailto:Info@jeffersonlandworks.org> , (360) 379-5610 ext. 201 Kellie Henwood (she/her) Regional Small Farms Program Coordinator Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap Counties WSU Jefferson County Extension 121 Oak Bay Rd, Port Hadlock, WA 98339 Office: 360-379-5610 ext. 201 Email: kellie.henwood@wsu.edu <mailto:kellie.henwood@wsu.edu> Website: go.wsu.edu/regionalsmallfarms <http://go.wsu.edu/regionalsmallfarms> Agriculture eNewsletter <https://wsu.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=360ae1ff3a734621548b3598b&id=9e764ecf8d> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/WSURegionalSmallFarmsProgram> | Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/wsuregionalsmallfarms/> "Washington State University acknowledges that its locations statewide are on the homelands of Native peoples, who have lived in this region from time immemorial. We recognize their continuing connection to the land, to the water, and to their ancestors." WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Persons with disabilities, language interpretation, or who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact WSU Extension, 121 Oak Bay Rd, 360-379-5610 at least two weeks prior to the event.