American Farmland Trust: News--Press Releases-American Farmland Trust President Ralph Grossi to Step Down

American Farmland Trust President Ralph Grossi
to Step Down

CONTACT:

Jennifer Morrill, 202-378-1255 or jmorrill@farmland.org

Washington, D.C., February 6, 2008-American Farmland Trust (AFT) President Ralph Grossi announced today that he would be retiring later this year, when a successor is on board. “I have
had the privilege of serving this wonderful organization as its president for nearly 23 years, but it is time for me and Judy to return to our California ranch.” Grossi has been instrumental in building the organization into the nation’s foremost advocate for farmland protection and conservation practices that lead to a healthy environment. With a staff of 60 professionals and strong financial capacity,
AFT is well positioned to provide leadership on into the future, and Ralph will continue to assist AFT and the new president to ensure a smooth transition.

“The prospect of having to replace an individual with Ralph’s capability and stature is challenging,” said Jay Winthrop, Chairman of the AFT Board of Directors. “Ralph has been the voice of farm and ranch land protection for more than two decades. During that time the effort has grown from a couple of programs to a nationwide movement with millions of acres of farm and ranch land permanently protected for future generations. In addition, Ralph helped AFT build bridges between agriculture and the environment, finding common ground and forming new coalitions.”

A national search is underway to recruit the next President of AFT. To oversee this selection process, the Board of Directors has identified a search committee which includes the following members: Amy Longsworth, Richard Rominger, Miranda Kaiser, Jay Winthrop, Carla Skodinski, Steve Stranahan, Doug Wheeler, and Julia Widdowson. AFT has retained global executive search firm, Russell Reynolds Associates, to manage the recruitment and it will be run from the Washington, D.C., office.

All nominations and inquiries should be directed to Russell Reynolds Associates:

American Farmland Trust
c/o Russell Reynolds Associates
1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Ste. 400
Washington, DC 20006
202-628-2150 (phone)

aftsearch@russellreynolds.com(email)

-30-

American Farmland Trust is a national nonprofit organization working with communities and individuals to protect the best land, plan for agriculture and keep the land healthy. As the leading advocate for farm and ranch land conservation, AFT has ensured that more than a million acres stays bountiful and productive. AFT’s national office is located in Washington, DC. The phone number is 202-331-7300.