YEAR IN REVIEW
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF FARMLAND CONSERVATION
As we reflect on this milestone year, California Farmland Trust (CFT) proudly celebrates 20 years of unwavering commitment to protecting California’s agricultural heritage.
Our journey has been one of growth, resilience, and measurable impact—none of which would be possible without the support of our donors, partners, and community. In 2024, we successfully closed four farmland conservation easements, preserving 878 acres of prime farmland across three California counties. These easements represent more than land—they symbolize our continued promise to safeguard the future of agriculture in one of the most productive regions in the world.
We also marked another success with our annual Race to Slow the Pace 5K/10K event, bringing together supporters from across the region to raise awareness and funds for farmland conservation. The energy and enthusiasm of
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sam Zunutto
President
Theresa Kiehn
Vice President
William Hoobler
Secretary
Michael Machado
Treasurer
Patrick Johnston
Immediate Past
President
Ron Dolinsek
Ron Freitas
Carrie Isaacson
Ryan Jacobsen
Jim Jorgensen
Maxwell Norton
Ken Oneto
Barbara Smith
Mike Wade
TRUSTEE COUNCIL
participants reflected a shared commitment to slowing the rapid pace of development and keeping our farmland and family farmers thriving.
Behind these achievements is a solid foundation of financial strength and stewardship. CFT remains in a strong financial position, ensuring that we maximize the impact of every contribution. Our organizational efficiency remains exemplary—98 cents of every dollar goes directly to conserving farmland, a testament to our strategic focus and fiscal responsibility.
As we close this celebratory year, we look forward to continuing our mission with renewed passion and purpose. Thank you for being part of our story—and for helping to write the next chapter in farmland conservation.
Ron Dolinsek
Emily Rooney
Paul Wenger
Ann Veneman
COMMITTEE & EVENT VOLUNTEERS
Bill Martin
Julie Tank
Nonine Freitas
Mary Whitaker
Tabby Whitaker
Karen Diekmeyer
Dinora Fox
James Fox
Ken Mitchell
Wendy Chavarria Villalobos
Brett Tank
Ed Nicolay
Lexi Grizzle
Cameron Grizzle
Michelle Grizzle
Charlotte Larsen
Lilliana Cortez-Job
Lori Candelaria
Patrick Bush
Nishi Johal
Getta Dolinsek
Katie Patterson
Rosemary Jorgensen
Janice Jorgensen
Suzanne Byrd
Tim Byrd
STAFF
Charlotte Mitchell
Executive Director
Matthew Grizzle
Operations Director
Quinn Mulrooney
Conservation Manager
Amy Wolfe Development Manager
Port City
Marketing Agency
FINANCIALS
FARMLAND CONSERVATION
Since our founding in 2004, California Farmland Trust (CFT) has been working with landowners who want to voluntarily protect their farms with an agricultural conservation easement. In 2024, we helped four families achieve their goal of ensuring the farm can be passed on to the next generation. To date, we have protected 18,543 acres over 86 properties throughout seven counties.
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY DAY PLACE
Nestled within a growing farmland conservation corridor, the property known as Day Place has been thoughtfully preserved to strengthen the region’s agricultural continuity. Its permanent protection helps ensure local food security, supports surrounding ecosystems, and curbs urban sprawl.
Strategically located along the bustling Highway 4 — a main route to the Sierra Nevada — Day Place also benefits from the natural flow of Duck Creek, which runs through the land and supports vital riparian habitat for local wildlife. Its conservation guarantees that this land will remain whole and untouched by future development pressures.
FRESNO COUNTY QUIST DAIRY
Formerly a dairy operation, Quist Dairy in Fresno County has transitioned from the dairy to growing field and orchard crops. With the permanent protection of this farmland, it will be safeguarded from the urban expansion of the City of Fresno.
Located on Prime Soils with abundant water and the long growing season characteristic of California’s Central Valley, the farm is wellpositioned to continue producing a wide variety of food and fodder. The Quist family remains deeply committed to agriculture, with the next generation poised to carry on the success and legacy of the family farm.
MERCED COUNTY BONNER PROPERTY
Driven by a mission to promote sustainable agriculture, Wes and Lou Myers—descendants of the original founders of Flying M Ranches—carry forward a powerful legacy: to preserve agricultural land and heritage, foster innovation, and develop sustainable ranching and farming practices.
The story of Flying M Ranch began in 1959, when John and Lucia Myers began acquiring land in Merced County, California. Among their early acquisitions was the 474-acre Bonner Property, a cornerstone of what would become the family’s enduring agricultural enterprise.
From the beginning, the Myers family has been deeply committed to land stewardship. Their vision extends beyond productivity: they aim to conserve the landscape’s biodiversity, safeguard its ecological health, and ensure the land remains a sanctuary where people, plants, and animals can thrive together.
Today, Wes and Lou honor that legacy by ensuring this “Little Slice of Heaven” remains protected forever—for future generations to learn from, enjoy, and sustain.
MERCED COUNTY LUCAS RANCH
The Lucas Ranch, owned by Laura Dompe, has been an integral part of their family since 1918. It originally thrived as a small dairy and later transitioned to wheat and alfalfa. Today, it stands as a testament to modern agricultural practices, featuring walnut trees planted in 2012 on soils designated as Prime Farmland. Laura reflects on the hard work of her family over several generations and feels blessed knowing that their family land will always be farmland.
During the easement process, Laura lost both her mother and brother. Her brother Doug Lucas was very instrumental in the early stages, working with CFT to ensure the family land was protected. We salute Doug Lucas, whose spirit, kindness, and boundless energy left a lasting impact on many, especially the staff at CFT. This dedication serves as a humble expression of our gratitude for the time we had to share in his deep love for the farm and the land.
2024 IMPACT MILESTONES
ATTENDED WORLD AG EXPO
ATTENDED BURROUGH FAMILY FARMS Regenerative Almond Field Day
DAY PLACE easment closes
ATTENDED AGVENTURE
Orange You Glad Tracy & Lodi WHAT YOUR SUPPORT MADE POSSIBLE THIS YEAR
Because
of you...
878 ADDITIONAL ACRES protected
500 HOURS of volunteer time
One acre of farmland in CA produces 58-70 TIMES FEWER greenhouse gas emissions than one acre of urban land (AFT Greener Fields Report)
RACE TO SLOW THE PACE
BIG DAY OF GIVING over $13K raised
FIORINI CELEBRATION BONNER easment closes LUCAS RANCH easment closes
ATTENDED AG DAY at The Capital
ATTENDED LAND TRUST ALLIANCE RALLY Providence, RI
20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
QUIST DAIRY easment closes
GIVING TUESDAY almost $16K raised
SUPPORTERS
WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS & ORGANIZATIONS FOR INVESTING IN OUR MISSION
CONSERVATORS ($25,000+)
Sustainable Futures Fund
STEWARDS ($1,500 – $24,999)
John & Jeani Ferrari Family Foundation
E&J Gallo Winery
Farm Credit Alliance: AgWest Farm Credit, American Ag Credit, & CoBank
G3 Enterprises
Cortopassi Family Foundation
Hoobler Insurance Services -
William Hoobler
Janice Jorgensen & Karen
Rosenbaum
Stanislaus Food Products
Patrick & Amy Johnston
Fluetsch & Busby Insurance
Ron & Nonine Freitas
Machado Family Farms -
Mike & Diana Machado
Tom & Barbara Job
SMUD
Ripon Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Montpelier Farming Corp.
Dwelley Family Farms, LLC
Farmers & Merchants Bank
Garton Tractor
Stanislaus Community Foundation
Turlock Irrigation District
Ron & Georgetta Dolinsek
Leslie Templin
Jim Jorgensen
Mike Woolf Farming Co. -
Mike Woolf
Barbara & Duncan Smith
Joanne Mills
Carolyn Bregard
Maxwell & Diane Norton
SUPPORTERS ($500 – $1,499)
Seasons Coffee Roasters -
Greg Cotta
KLM Ranches, Inc. -
Ken & Florrie Oneto
Randy Fiorini
Mujeres Poderosas - Amy Wolfe
Janet Caprile
McHenry Bowl - Garrad Marsh
Allworth Financial
Agriculture Council of California
Keith & Holly Dierberg
Lonnie & Lola Hendricks
Vino Farms
Mitchell Farms -
Ken & Charlotte Mitchell
Sam Zanutto
Menghetti Ranch -
Kathy Menghetti
Bill Martin
Ed & Fran Nishio
Couchman Farms -
David Couchman
Bokides-Hesseltine Real Estate Co. - Nike Bokides
Thomas & Karen Coultas
Grow West
Bianca Kaprielian
Peggy Lemaux
Robert Longatti
Relation Insurance - Jorge Lara
Lisa Wilson
Zenith Agribusiness Solutions
GUARDIANS ($100 – $499)
David Raube
Edward & Mildred Maring
United Way Our Promise
Ann Veneman
Douglas Najima
Ramsin Ganji
Luchessa Ranches, Inc.
Satake - Jeff Sargent
Wenger Ranch - Paul Wenger
Jon & Christine Brandstad
Mary Whitaker
Mike Wade
Tom Bloomfield
Kevin & Kathy Knowles
Richard & Susan Mahacek
Richard Piper
Thomas Scharffenberger
Mark & Marsha Seivert
Julia Vink
Lynn Kraus
Thomas Shephard & Katherine Weiner
Denny Jackman
Robert King
Katie Patterson
David Shabazian
Conservation Partners LLP -
Misti M. Schmidt
Susan & Tim Hooper
Scott Magneson
Jean Okuye
Karen Ross
Beatrice Silva
Heather Fargo
David Zezulak
Marie Coleman
Judith Grimshaw
Matthew Grizzle
Cindy Kelleher
Buckman Partners -
William Murphy
Laurel Posey
Yumi Sera
Christine Bruhn
Linda Ellis
Ryan Jacobsen
Eleanor & Bob Lawrence
William Nicholson
Shirleymae Skaredoff
James Duval
Shawn Fletcher
Darrell Fonseca
James Pachl & Judith Lamare
Raymond Jerd
Dr. Grant Plemons
Daniel Ritchie
John & Judy Semas
Randolph & Susan Siefkin
Carel & Linda Van Loben Sels
FRIENDS ($1 – $99)
Ken Giannotti
Theresa & Ryan Kiehn
Melanie Loo
Lois Biehler
Kerri Kisko
Darien DeLu
David Zelinsky
Mary Jean Sawyer
Donna Dotti
Jack Edwards
Lori Wilson-Hopkins
Julie Grunsky
Gail Goldsmith
Ralph Lucchetti
Ron Selge
Juliane Crowley
Idell & David Weydemeyer
Susan M. Sawyer
Tressa Dahlberg
Linda Johnson
Becca Whitman
Angelina Ceja
Allison Cherry-Lafferty
Lucy Christensen
Melitta Heli
Yvonne Rinaldi
Jane Woehl
Richard Mills
Chloe Park
Bridget Smith
Rebekah DelSanto
Luis Herrera
Paula Rivera
Kristin Abercrombie
Frank & Emily Aufdermaur
Santokh Binning
Tenise Lum
Hector Roman
DJ Camacho
Nathaniel Berumen
Kim Dueck
Brandon Gehrig
Kamara Hegler
Gail Nicolay
Thank you to our 2024 sponsors, many of whom have provided California Farmland Trust with ongoing support for years. We appreciate their support and investment in the mission of our organization.
EVENT SPONSORS
EVENT SPONSORS Make a gift today at cafarmtrust.org | Follow us @cafarmtrust
