pacific northwest director

Don Stuart is director of American Farmland Trust’s Pacific Northwest office. He works with communities and farmers in the Pacific Northwest to establish programs for farmland protection and stewardship. He also oversees research projects, policy initiatives and land projects in Washington. He is working with several groups to increase support for farming and environmental enhancement, raise public awareness about the common values shared between farmers and environmentalists, and engage urban and rural leaders in forums to develop farmland protection and stewardship strategies.

Prior to joining AFT, Stuart was the executive director for the Washington Association of Conservation Districts. At the association, he worked with state legislators, farm groups and environmental groups to create programs and policies designed to improve water quality and habitat for salmon and other wildlife and strengthen the delivery of conservation services for private agricultural landowners. Stuart guided the initial development of the association’s role in Washington’s nationally recognized 1998 Dairy Nutrient Management Act, developed an output-based performance reporting system for conservation districts under contract with the Washington State Conservation Commission, and helped develop Washington’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program for the protection of riparian salmon habitat.

Stuart has also been owner, builder, and skipper of an Alaska commercial fishing vessel, executive director of a commercial fisheries trade association, manager of a statewide initiative defense, a United States Congressional candidate, author-publisher of a legal education research index, and a Seattle attorney.

He attended Washington State University and the University of Washington, where he received a bachelor of arts degree in political science in 1965 and a law degree in 1968. He is a native of Washington state and lives in Seattle.