Mar 3, 2023

New staffer named at American Farmland Trust

American Farmland Trust names vice president of development
American Farmland Trust (AFT) has named Lea Harvey as vice president of development. Harvey’s role will be to develop and implement AFT’s national donor strategy, according to a news release.

Across more than two decades, Harvey has led fundraising efforts, partnership development and team building for national and international organizations. Harvey earned her BA from Sweet Briar College where later in her career she returned to become director of strategic initiatives at the private women’s liberal arts college in Sweet Briar, Virginia.

At Sweet Briar College, Harvey helped develop the institution’s agenda and public platform around sustainable agriculture. She helped raise more than $120 million to rebuild the college in the wake of a 2015 attempted closure and also led strategies for major and principal gifts from foundation and individual donors.

Harvey’s experience in fundraising began in 2002 when she served as the director of foundation and corporate relations with the World Wildlife Fund, where she led a $14 million foundation and corporate fundraising program. While at Resources for the Future, Harvey implemented strategies to double philanthropic support within two years (2008-09) at the onset of the Great Recession.

“We are extremely excited and grateful for someone with Lea’s impressive background to generate donations for AFT’s critical work and programs,” John Piotti, AFT president and CEO, said in the release. “Lea is a master fundraiser and has dedicated her career to generate revenue for organizations, often under difficult economic conditions.”

As there aren’t many opportunities Harvey would consider leaving her alma mater for, AFT’s mission remains compelling and timely, Harvey said in the release. “It encompasses critical environmental, social and economic concerns,” she said in the release. “Joining AFT is a meaningful next step that builds upon my experience in agriculture at Sweet Briar and in fundraising throughout my career in the non-profit sector. I am deeply honored to join this revered organization and incredible team.”

AFT takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through its No Farms, No Food message.

Since its 1980 founding, the Chevy Chase, Maryland-based AFT has helped permanently protect more than 6.8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmental farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families, according to the release.