LETTER: Thanks for making event a success

To the Editor, and Community Members of Palmer:

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Alaska Farmland Trust, I want to express my sincere appreciation to Dean Forkner, Palmer Fred Meyer Store Manager. We recently hosted our "Drink Beer, Save Farms!" Summer Concert fundraiser, and were it not for the assistance, support and engagement of Mr. Forkner, the event would not have been near the success that it was.

Alaska Farmland Trust is a 501c3 non-profit that is reliant on fundraising to continue to meet our mission of permanently protecting Alaska's valuable farmlands. Through our events we hope to engage the community in the work that we do, while also raising money towards our next project.

Mr. Forkner secured sponsorship money from not only his own company, but also connected us to over $2000 in other sponsorships, donations and in-kind contributions.

The work that we do at Alaska Farmland Trust is a critical component to the long term sustainability of our Alaskan agriculture industry; we are thankful that community leaders such as Mr. Forkner recognize the benefit and choose to contribute in such a meaningful way.

Palmer was founded by, and (thankfully!) is still home to, many farm families. Palmer businesses that support the Agriculture Industry are appreciated.

The next time you see Dean Forkner, please take the time to thank him for the generous support of our organization.

Sincerely,

— Amy Pettit

Alaska Farmland Trust Executive Director