Lessons from Staff: What we’ve learned from agriculture, farmers, and preservation
Our team at Lancaster Farmland Trust is comprised of 15 talented and passionate individuals. We’re small, yes, but together, we’ve preserved over 37,000 acres of Lancaster County’s farmland. Despite our shared enthusiasm for farmland preservation, everyone at LFT has a different story to tell. Not all of us grew up farming, and we’ve learned different lessons during our time at here. This week, we’ve asked some of our staff members two pertinent questions: what have you learned from working with LFT and agriculture? And what would you tell yourself before your first day on the job?
Nick Biondi, our Director of Stewardship, started working for LFT just under a year ago, driven by his passion for the mission. Working with farmers to maintain their conservation easements, Nick states that the most important lesson he’s learned is that there are no perfect solutions to problems. If he could talk to Nick from the past, he would tell him to remember that “patience is a virtue.”
LFT’s Office Administrator & Executive Assistant, Kristin Raab, first joined the team in 2002. She took a short break and returned to the team in 2015. “When I came back in 2015, it was largely because I had a true appreciation for not only the importance of the work LFT does but also the agility, respect, and value that this team is able to do that work with,” she says. She notes that the biggest lesson she’s learned since beginning at LFT is to appreciate agriculture as both an art and a science. If she could talk to herself from the past, she would tell her, “You’re lucky enough to live in a place where there is an incredible blend of local food, and so much more. Visit the farm stands, talk to the farmers – be open to learning more.”
Stephanie Denton serves as LFT’s Community Engagement Manager. Beginning in 2021, Steph says that her job gives her the perfect opportunity to work with what she’s passionate about: environmental issues, policy, and food insecurity. According to Steph, working with LFT has taught her how agriculture touches every aspect of our lives. “I’ve learned farming is more than just a way to provide food and economic benefits—it’s deeply intertwined with our community. It shapes our landscape, preserves our way of living, and supports our overall well-being in ways I hadn’t fully appreciated before. This experience has deepened my appreciation for farmers and their families,” she notes. If she found herself meeting Stephanie from the past, she would tell herself to always engage with farmers face-to-face. She’s learned that farmers are at the mercy of their land, and many of them work on different schedules than the rest of us. In-person visits allow her to respect those schedules and establish stronger relationships with her farmer friends.
Despite our varying pasts, our team loves working together for Lancaster County’s farmland. The lessons we’re learning help us spread the word, preserve more land, and connect with our farm families. Agriculture teaches valuable lessons to all of us, regardless of profession. To learn more about our staff members and why they do what they do, keep your eyes peeled for more Lessons Learned blogs, or click here to check out our “About” page!