Farmland Trust Appointed New Network Director
The organization named Ben Kurtzman to lead its national network dedicated to protecting agricultural land across the country.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Organic Food
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The American Farmland Trust has appointed Ben Kurtzman as the new director of the National Agricultural Land Network. This network brings together over 1,600 members to improve efforts in preserving farmland across the United States.
Why it matters
The leadership change aims to bolster the collective ability of land trusts and public agencies to secure agricultural land. Strengthening this network supports the long-term viability of the food supply by protecting the soil and resources necessary for sustainable production.
The National Agricultural Land Network currently supports a membership of over 1,600 individuals and organizations. While the network has expanded its reach since its 2020 launch, the long-term impact of its training programs on total acreage preserved remains under ongoing evaluation.
The players
American Farmland Trust
A national nonprofit organization that works to save the land that sustains the food system by protecting farmland and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Ben Kurtzman
An experienced agricultural land protection expert who previously served as the director of Land Protection Projects for the American Farmland Trust.
Cris Coffin
The founding director of the National Agricultural Land Network who has now transitioned into a senior policy adviser role.
National Agricultural Land Network
A coalition of more than 1,600 members focused on increasing the capacity of public agencies and land trusts to conserve agricultural land.
The details
The National Agricultural Land Network functions as a collaborative platform that hosts virtual roundtables and networking opportunities for its members. The network also manages specialized training initiatives, such as the Soil Health Stewards and Land Transfer Navigators programs, to provide technical expertise to those in the field. Under his previous tenure as director of Land Protection Projects, Kurtzman oversaw 43 projects that successfully protected nearly 17,000 acres of farmland.
Timeline
2005: Ben Kurtzman joined the American Farmland Trust.
2020: The National Agricultural Land Network was launched.
October 14, 2026: Ben Kurtzman was appointed as the new director of the network.
April 7-9, 2027: The Saving America's Working Lands Conference is scheduled to take place in Dallas.
Health Landscape
The National Agricultural Land Network serves as a critical infrastructure for managing the preservation of lands that are foundational to the U.S. food supply. The appointment represents a strategic continuation of efforts to centralize conservation expertise within the broader American agricultural system.
The protection of farmland is indirectly linked to the stability and quality of the national food supply you consume. You can learn more about how local land conservation efforts in your state impact your community's access to fresh food by speaking with local agricultural extensions.
The takeaway
The leadership change at the American Farmland Trust emphasizes the growing importance of collaborative efforts in protecting agricultural land. Staying informed about regional land preservation initiatives is a helpful way to understand the long-term security of your local food systems.
What happens next
The Saving America's Working Lands Conference is scheduled to be held in Dallas from April 7-9, 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the systems supporting sustainable food sources in the Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Thefencepost.
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