Regeneration Arizona Farmland Commons, Arizona
July 8, 2025San Juan Islands Farmland Commons, Washington
The Farmers Land Trust has partnered with an elder biodynamic farming couple, Henning Sehmsdorf and Elizabeth Simpson of S&S Homestead Farm, and several collaborating organizations to address farm legacy, family connection and transitions, and to facilitate a next generation farm steward opportunity through creation of the San Juan Islands Farmland Commons, a community-centered, democratically run, limited scope 501(c)(25) non-profit established to hold title to farmland, and steward and convey secure and affordable lease tenure to next generation farm stewards.
The San Juan Farmland Commons accomplishes the following:
- Preserves 50+ years of biodynamically managed and stewarded farmland and business by transitioning ownership into a nonprofit to create a 501(C)(25) Farmland Commons
- Maintains elder generation living on land and family estate connection to land for future generations
- Endows the stewardship of the farm for generations to come
The Land
In the community of Lopez Island in Washington state is a 22-acre biodynamically managed farm and self-sufficient organism, using as few outside resources as possible. In existence since 1970, the farm integrates growing vegetables, fruit, grains, and flowers to produce animal feed, fertilizers and composts to raise beef, lamb, pork, chicken, eggs and dairy products, all while regeneratively stewarding the ecosystem.
What this elder generation bought for $33,793 and invested their love, will-force, and lives into is now valued at more than $1,000,000 by the market, a price that is completely out of reach for farmers.
Once surrounded by neighboring farms and forest, it now neighbors Lopez Sound with vacation estate homes valued at $6,700,000 and $10,600,000 by the market.
Help finalize the San Juan Farmland Commons
Please support this biodynamic farm legacy, and the future of food and agrarian self sufficiency on this magical island community in the Northwest corner of the United States
Stay in the loop!
Join the San Juan Farmland Commons mailing list!
Regional Data
San Juan Co:
- 18,500
- Median age 55.2
- 88% White
Island Co.:
- 88,000
- Median age 49.1
- 90% White
- <10% poverty
- WA avg $6,800/acre
- Island Co. $7,200
- San Juan Co. $5 500
- High coastal incomes
- Seasonal hospitality poverty up to 18%
- 11.2% residents
- 15.4% children
- Shellfish aquaculture
- Berries
- Tourism
- Arts
- Island co‑ops
- Farmers’ stands on ferries
- Agritourism hikes & foraging
- Seattle metro (~4 M) via daily ferry markets
- Moran State Park on Orcas Island was a filming location for The Goonies (1985)
