New York Supports Farmland Protection

By Blake Jackson

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has announced a new funding opportunity to support farmland protection across the state. A total of one million dollars is available through the Farmland Protection Staff Capacity Grants Pilot Program. This program helps local organizations strengthen their efforts to protect farmland and support agriculture.

The announcement comes as the state celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Program. This milestone highlights long-term efforts to preserve farmland and support farmers.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “As the foundation for our food supply, farmland is one of the most important natural resources we have. Protecting our land and our rich soil helps to ensure that farmers can continue to grow our food, strengthen our local food systems, plan, and play an integral part in our fight against climate change. By providing these additional resources to our local project sponsors, who are our partners and the boots on the ground, we will be able to further expand our reach and enhance our ability to preserve more farmland across the State through our Farmland Protection Program.”

The new grant program supports land trusts and local governments by helping them hire staff. It includes two funding options. One option supports new land trusts in hiring their first staff member. The second option helps existing groups increase staff to expand their farmland protection work.

Applications must be submitted through the Statewide Financial System by June 26, 2026.

So far, the state has helped protect more than 134,800 acres of farmland through conservation projects, investing over 341 million dollars across 447 farms. These efforts help ensure that farmland remains available for future use.

The program also supports environmental goals. The state has proposed 425 million dollars for the Environmental Protection Fund, including funding for agricultural programs that improve sustainability and reduce climate impact.

Over the past five years, more than 160 million dollars have been invested in programs that protect water quality, conserve resources, and support farming. These efforts show a strong commitment to protecting farmland and building a sustainable future for agriculture.

Photo Credit: gettyimage-jamesbrey