By Blake Jackson
Livingston County officials, in partnership with Genesee Valley Conservancy, have announced a new round of applications for farmland preservation through the Livingston County Agricultural & Farmland Protection Board (AFPB).
Local farmers and landowners are encouraged to attend a spring workshop to learn about the voluntary program and how to begin the pre-application process.
The Farmland Protection Program, also known as the County Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program, helps safeguard working farmland from non-agricultural development.
Funding is primarily provided through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Farmland Protection Implementation Grants (FPIG) program. Through this support, qualifying landowners may receive payment for up to 87.5% of the value of their farm’s development rights, ensuring the land remains dedicated to agricultural use.
Interested applicants must first submit a pre-application to Genesee Valley Conservancy. The Conservancy works alongside the County Planning Department, Soil and Water Conservation District, and the AFPB to review submissions.
Farms are evaluated based on criteria such as soil quality, development pressure, and overall agricultural viability. Top-ranked proposals may then be invited to complete a full application for state consideration.
Attendance at the 2026 Livingston County Farmland Protection Workshop is mandatory for all landowners and farmland lessors seeking eligibility for state FPIG funding.
The workshop will be held Thursday, March 26, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Livingston County Government Center, Room 205/208, 6 Court Street in Geneseo.
Pre-applications will be available at the workshop and online after March 26. The submission deadline is Friday, July 17, 2026. While the next state grant cycle has not yet been announced, building a strong pipeline of applicants is essential for securing future funding opportunities.
For more information, contact Taylor Wilkie at Genesee Valley Conservancy at 585-969-3313 or at farmland@geneseevalleyconservancy.org.
Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: New York, Government & Policy