In 2000, armed with only $800 and their unwavering devotion to protecting resources, a small group of farm advocates, Friends of the Fields, banded together to halt what they viewed as the steady decline of the farming community, culture and land base in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley.

“Nearly 75 percent of local farmland had disappeared in recent decades and we kept running up against barriers as we attempted to address this. Therefore, we decided it was a crucial time to take a step for our local community,” Bob Caldwell, a longtime resident of Sequim and a lead advocate for the group, said.

In 2010, recognizing a shared conservation value and mission focus, Friends of the Fields chose to merge with North Olympic Land Trust.

The Land Trust is expecting a sold-out crowd at the 15th Annual Harvest Dinner from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Sunland Country Club.

Proceeds from the dinner will support the Land Trust efforts to conserve local farms and food, and to preserve agricultural jobs in Clallam County. The Land Trust is expected to announce information about an upcoming farmland conservation project at the dinner.

“The Harvest Dinner is our annual opportunity to bring together local change-makers who dedicate themselves to the causes they care about. This event always leaves me with an overwhelming and positive feeling about the true character of our community,” North Olympic Land Trust executive director Tom Sanford said.

In its 10 years of operation, Friends of the Fields saved four keystone farms, served as an organizer and long-term partner in bringing the annual Clallam County Farm Tour to the community and fostered community among fellow farmland advocates.