Our Team
© Connecticut Farmland Trust
Michelle Gittlen is the Executive Director of Connecticut Farmland Trust (CFT), where she works to preserve Connecticut’s farmland for current and future generations. A Connecticut resident with a background in agriculture, land use, and conservation easements, Michelle has spent her career focused on operational leadership, team building, and fundraising and donor development. She is an attorney with an LL.M. in Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law, and brings that legal and environmental background to her work at CFT.
Michelle holds a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and a B.A. from the University at Albany, SUNY. Beyond her role at CFT, she volunteers on West Tisbury’s Climate Advisory Committee and Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness 2.0 Program on Martha’s Vineyard, chairs the Board of Directors of the Mill Land Conservation Trust, and serves as a founding board member of the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation.
Michelle lives in Southern Connecticut with her husband and daughter, and enjoys hiking, biking, and discovering new places in her free time.
I am honored to step in as Executive Director of Connecticut Farmland Trust and to continue the organization’s legacy of farmland conservation and strong community partnerships. Connecticut’s working farms are vital to the state’s resilience and future. I am eager to engage with farmers, partners, and supporters to advance CFT’s mission of protecting and stewarding farmland for future generations.