Working Lands Alliance and American Farmland Trust today named Clark Chapin as Working Lands Alliance Project Director. Chapin, who grew up on a Litchfield County dairy farm, is a long-time advocate for farms and farmland and is well-known to friends of Connecticut’s farms. As a state legislator for 16 years, Chapin has been a leader in agricultural policy and farmland preservation efforts.
“American Farmland Trust is pleased to welcome Clark to our team,” said Jesse Robertson-DuBois, AFT’s New England Director. “His knowledge and commitment to farmland protection and agriculture have long benefited Connecticut, and his legislative experience will be invaluable to our work. We have a broad coalition of advocates to carry the message of farmland protection. Clark’s support and guidance will enhance our advocacy, and his community development expertise will help us to expand our non-legislative programs.”
Chapin earned a Masters in Community Development from Iowa State University and a B.S. in Animal Science and Technology from the University of Rhode Island. He is not seeking re-election to the Senate but will serve the remainder of his term.
“During my legislative service I have developed an appreciation and respect for the efforts of Working Lands Alliance and American Farmland Trust,” said Chapin. “I am excited to be able to help advise, coordinate and direct their work and to advance their shared mission of protecting farmland and supporting farmers in Connecticut.”
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American Farmland Trust is the only national conservation organization dedicated to protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices and keeping farmers on the land. Since 1980 American Farmland Trust has helped to permanently protect more than five million acres of farm and ranch land. Learn more at www.farmland.org.
A project of AFT, WLA is a diverse coalition of individuals and over 200 businesses and organizations dedicated specifically to farmland preservation in Connecticut. Since its creation in 2000, WLA has raised over $50 million in public funding for farmland protection and successfully championed several visionary pieces of state legislation. Learn more at www.workinglandsalliance.org.
