Bellingham, WA, December 5th, 2025—In mid-December, Sustainable Connections will transfer Cloud Mountain Farm Center to Whatcom Land Trust for interim ownership and management. During interim ownership, the Trust will permanently protect 19 acres of Cloud Mountain Farm Center (Cloud Mountain) farmland through a legal conservation easement. The easement will limit residential development, protect the farmland forever, and place habitat protections along the stream.
After placing the easement, Whatcom Land Trust (the Trust) will work with the Whatcom Community Foundation (which has financially supported Cloud Mountain since it was established as a nonprofit in 2011) to find a long-term owner for the farmland. The Trust is committed to supporting the Cloud Mountain Processing, Aggregation, Distribution and Storage (PADS) services to local partners during interim management. PADS serves small farm businesses and organizations with cooperative impact, and is valued by local farms, food banks, and other community clients. The Trust will not operate Cloud Mountain as a farm or retail operation.
“Whatcom Land Trust is excited to permanently protect this farmland, which is so special to our agricultural community and local food systems. The Land Trust was founded in 1984 to protect agricultural land from development, and this remains an important part of our mission today. We look forward to input and support from community members in evaluating the long-term ownership needs for Cloud Mountain,” said Whatcom Land Trust Executive Director Rachel Vasak.
Cloud Mountain has served a prominent role in the Whatcom County agricultural community since its founding in 1978. Since that time, it has provided education resources for fruit and nursery production, provided training to new and beginning farmers, and provided infrastructure to support local farms. Sustainable Connections, which has owned and managed Cloud Mountain since 2019, announced its intent to divest in May 2025 after significant, but unsuccessful, efforts to secure additional funding after a major annual grant for food systems work ended. Sustainable Connections will redirect its focus and resources to its core strengths and overall mission—to advance a regenerative local economy.
For 40 years, Whatcom Land Trust has protected and stewarded land and ecosystems in Whatcom County. “The Whatcom Land Trust’s deep commitment and care for this community makes them ideal stewards for Cloud Mountain,” says Bruce Tabb, Sustainable Connections Board President. “We couldn’t imagine a stronger, more aligned organization to carry Cloud Mountain into the future while honoring its past and community legacy.”
To learn more, please join Whatcom Land Trust for a community meeting at 5 pm on Wednesday, January 7th at Cloud Mountain. Space is limited, so RSVP today to secure your spot.
