After 10 years of owning and operating Matsuda Farm, the Land Trust is inviting proposals and ideas from farmers in the Vashon community and beyond who would like to be part of the farm’s next chapter. The Land Trust will continue as owner of this historic property and will collaborate with this new leasing manager to maintain our original commitments to regenerative agriculture and habitat restoration on the farm. 

RFP Applications are now open!

Together, we have achieved a lot over the past 10 years. 

Land Trust staff and volunteers have stewarded and restored Matsuda Farm since 2015, returning it to active agricultural production and building ties to the community through schools, volunteers, Vashon Food Bank, and VIGA. For over a decade, the Land Trust staff has overseen: 

  • habitat restoration around the pond, 

  • extensive repairs and renovations to the historic Matsuda residence, 

  • installation of fencing and irrigation, 

  • construction of greenhouses and outbuildings, 

  • agricultural trials of new crops and seed varieties, and 

  • the creation of a farm-to-school program that continues feeding Vashon youth. 

Through it all, an amazing and fun-loving group of farm volunteers has come out weekly to help care for the farm and support our dedicated staff. 

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Seeking a farmer to lease Matsuda Farm in 2026 and beyond

After much reflection and discussion, the staff and Board of the Land Trust have decided that now is the time to transition the day-to-day management of the farm over to a leasing manager. With the infrastructure and markets that the Land Trust has put in place over the past decade, the farm is ready to flourish with more independence through a leasing manager who can help Matsuda grow into its next stage of production. In April 2025, the Land Trust will begin accepting proposals from farmers who are inspired to continue our commitment to regenerative agriculture and community access to local, nutritious produce. We expect to select a new leasing manager by the end of the summer of 2025 and transition to the new manager at the beginning of 2026.