2024 Jane Kile Scholarship Awarded to Ellie Costello and Trust Land Farm

We’re delighted to announce the 2024 Jane Kile Scholarship award winner: Ellie Costello and Trust Land Farm.

Ellie established TLF on the land at the corner of Tower St and S. Third St in Missoula, previously leased and farmed for 18 years by Clark Fork Organics. Currently owned by Neva Hassanein, the farm property will be transferred soon to Trust Montana, a community land trust, which will hold the property in perpetuity for community benefit, ensuring it is always affordable and actively farmed. It will be providing an affordable long-term lease to Ellie’s Trust Land Farm, LLC.

Trust Montana is calling the property they will be holding “Corner Farm”. Corner Farm will be the first permanently affordable farm in Montana, protected by a community land trust.

Ellie has been growing produce with small-scale sustainable farms from the Bitterroot northward to the Mission valleys since 2011, including growing for her food business Black Bear Soups & Produce.  She plans to use the awarded funds to upgrade her greenhouse.

Look for a story on Ellie and Trust Land Farm in the Abundant Montana 2025 Local Food Guide!