Governor Hochul Announces More Than $38 Million Awarded to Conserve Nearly 12,000 Acres of New York Farmland

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than $38 million is being awarded to strengthen New York's agricultural industry through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grants program. The 39 awarded projects will protect a total of 11,772 acres of valuable farmland across the State, helping to keep agricultural land in production and ensure the long-term viability of New York's farming operations. The Governor made today's announcement on Long Island, following a tour and listening session with farmers in the region.

"We must continue to protect New York's precious farmland so our agricultural footprint can grow and so our producers can thrive for generations to come," Governor Hochul said. "I am proud that we supported the Farmland Protection program in this year's budget with an increased allocation, demonstrating our commitment to York's agriculture industry. As a result of the funding being provided today, we are protecting nearly 12,000 acres of farmland for continued agricultural use, including right here on Long Island."

"Protecting our state's farmlands is one of the most important things we can do to maintain the economic viability of the state's agricultural industry," said Lieutenant Governor Delgado. "The Farmland Protection Implementation program promotes continued agricultural use of these land and the 39 new projects that have been selected will help ensure the long-term sustainability of our state's farmers."

The State's Farmland Protection program made critical adjustments for Round 18. For the first time ever, projects were awarded that support the State's top priorities, including food security, climate resiliency, and source water protection. In addition, eligibility criteria for the program was expanded to include the agroforestry, equine, and wine sectors, reflecting New York's diverse agricultural industry.

The following projects were awarded funding.

Long Island ($3,656,018 for 15 acres)

• Peconic Land Trust (Suffolk County) - $1,656,018 to protect 6 acres on Barras Farm (vegetable operation), currently owned by Peconic Land Trust with ownership to be transferred to the current farm operator upon the closing of this conservation easement (referred to as a “Buy-Protect-Sell” conservation buyer transaction). (Source Water Protection category)
• Peconic Land Trust (Suffolk County) - $2,000,000 to protect 9 acres on Zoumas Farm (vegetable operation). (Source Water Protection category)

Mid-Hudson ($6,406,100 for 768 acres)

• Dutchess Land Conservancy (Dutchess County) - $923,757 to protect 187 acres on Cedar Ridge Farm (broodmare boarding and foaling operation). (Equine category)
• Dutchess Land Conservancy (Dutchess County) - $1,460,944 to protect 144 acres on Obercreek Farm (vegetable and hay operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Dutchess Land Conservancy (Dutchess County) - $615,299 to protect 109 acres on Primrose Hill Farm (Christmas tree and timber operation). (Agroforestry category)
• Town of Warwick (Orange County) - $1,406,100 to protect 200 acres on Astorino Farm (hay operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Westchester Land Trust (Putnam County) - $2,000,000 to protect 128 acres on Ryder Farm (timber, beef cattle, and vegetable/fresh-cut flowers). (Agroforestry category)

Capital Region ($5,215,403 for 1,515 acres)

• Agricultural Stewardship Association (Washington County) - $280,739 to protect 88 acres on Kenyon Hill Farm (dairy operation). (Source Water Protection category)
• Agricultural Stewardship Association (Washington County) - $420,350 to protect 238 acres on Lindsay Farm (dairy operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Agricultural Stewardship Association (Washington County) - $185,507 to protect 141 acres on Slack Hollow Farm (vegetable and beef cattle operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Columbia Land Conservancy (Columbia County) - $1,399,453 to protect 366 acres on Grazin' Angus Acres (beef operation). (Agroforestry category)
• Columbia Land Conservancy (& Scenic Hudson Land Trust as co-applicant) (Columbia County) - $1,282,865 to protect 216 acres of Samascott Orchards-McIntosh LCC and $893,925 for 316 acres of Samascott Orchards-Mutsu LLC. (both orchard operations). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Dutchess Land Conservancy (Columbia County) - $752,564 to protect 150 acres on Masters Farm (cash crop-grain operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Central New York ($2,862,204 for 962 acres)

• New York Agricultural Land Trust (Onondaga County) - $764,838 to protect 288 acres on Marshfield Farms (dairy operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• New York Agricultural Land Trust (Cayuga County) - $1,318,284 to protect 477 acres on Pearce Farm (cash crop-grain operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Genesee Land Trust (Cayuga County) - $779,082 to protect 197 acres on Woodworth Farm (cash crop-grain operation). (Source Water Protection category)

Finger Lakes ($13,779,792 for 5,276 acres)

• Genesee Land Trust (& Town of Walworth as co-applicant) (Wayne County) - $1,323,552 to protect 293 acres on Amsler Farm (cash crop-grain operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Genesee Land Trust (Ontario County) - $947,426 to protect 279 acres on Goodell Farm (beef cattle operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Genesee Land Trust (Monroe County) - $340,923 to protect 57 acres on Stonecrop Farm (hog operation). (Climate Resiliency category)
• Genesee Land Trust (Monroe County) - $1,620,113 to protect 200 acres on Van Voorhis Farm (cash crop-grain operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston County) -$771,794 to protect 276 acres on Fire Creek Farms (cash crop-grain operation). (Climate Resiliency category)
• Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston and Wyoming Counties) - $2,000,000 to protect 1,315 acres on Gardeau Crest Farm (dairy operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston County) - $1,120,401 to protect 492 acres on McClellan Farm (cash crop-grain operation). (Food Security category)
• Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston and Wyoming Counties) - $2,000,000 to protect 966 acres on Sunny Knoll Farms (dairy operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Genesee Valley Conservancy (Wyoming County) - $149,670 to protect 62 acres on The Cedars Farm (cash crop-grain operation). (Food Security category)
• Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston County) - $1,677,595 to protect 567 acres on Willard Farm (cash crop-grain operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Western New York Land Conservancy (Genesee County) - $403,667 to protect 368 acres on Springhill Farms (dairy operation). (Climate Resiliency category)
• Finger Lakes Land Trust (Yates County) - $1,424,651 to protect 401 acres on Henderson Farm (cash crop-grain operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Mohawk Valley ($575,435 for 611 acres)

• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust (Oneida County) - $246,820 to protect 407 acres on Simons Farm (cash crop-grain operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust (Oneida County) – Wightman Farm (beef cattle operation), owned by Steven Wightman - $328,615 for 204 acres with 70% productive soils (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

North Country ($5,026,030 for 2,327 acres)

• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust (Jefferson County) – $1,451,809 to protect 618 acres on Northrup Farms #2 (livestock operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust (Jefferson County) – $959,499 to protect 490 acres on Maple Valley Farm (organic maple and organic dairy operation). (Agroforestry category)
• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust (Jefferson County) – $770,928 to protect 322 acres on Northrup Farms #1 (livestock operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust (Jefferson County) – $534,802 to protect 258 acres on Scoville Farm (cash crop-grain operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust (Jefferson County) – $554,499 to protect 257 acres on Sullivan Farm (cash crop-grain operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust (Jefferson County) – $754,493 to protect 382 acres on Thompson Farm (dairy operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

Western New York ($720,917 for 298 acres)

• Western New York Land Conservancy (Niagara County) – $286,061 to protect 164 acres of Bittner Orchards (orchard operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)
• Western New York Land Conservancy (Niagara County) – $434,856 to protect 134 acres of Singer Orchards (orchard operation). (Viable Agricultural Land-Other category)

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "The Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Program continues to evolve, aligning for the first time ever with New York's priorities and goals in areas such as combating climate change. The awardees announced in this round are also for the first time inclusive of the agroforestry or equine industries, allowing us to reach farms we may not have traditionally reached in years past. I'm excited to see these changes taking effect and congratulate all the awardees for participating in this program that is helping us to forever conserve our working landscapes for future generations of farmers."

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "Farmland is one of the most important natural resources we have and protecting it must be a priority to ensure that farmers today, and across future generations, have land to grow our food, help us fight the climate crisis, and protect our drinking water. I was proud to lead the fight in the State Senate for increased budget funding for the Farmland Protection program, and I am thrilled to see these grants being awarded to so many deserving New York farms."

Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, "Once again, the Farmland Protection Grant Program will help preserve valuable farmland for the next generation. I am very happy to see the program expand to include the agroforestry, equine, and wine sectors; all valuable assets to New York's farm economy. This year's state budget included significant funding for farmland protection, along with soil health and resiliency initiatives, ensuring our commitment to farmers and the land they farm."

Peconic Land Trust President John Halsey said, "All of us at the Peconic Land Trust are thrilled to be awarded funding through the State's Farmland Protection program. These funds will protect productive farmland from being developed and help us reassemble a multigeneration working farm. We thank all of our partners at Ag & Markets and in State government for their confidence in us and other land trusts across the State."

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said, "Farmland preservation is a valuable to tool to keep agricultural land in production. There are many parts of the state where development pressure makes farm transition a challenge, and today's announcement can reduce that threat. In addition, preservation dollars provide farms with an opportunity to reinvest back into their businesses. New York Farm Bureau appreciates Gov. Hochul's support of this program that will help farms maintain critical food production in our state.”

The Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Program provides financial assistance to counties, municipalities, soil and water conservation districts, and land trusts to enable them to implement farmland protection activities consistent with local agricultural and farmland protection plans. The most frequently funded activity is the purchase of development rights on individual farms. However, the program may also award funding to enable other implementation activities, such as amendments to local laws affecting agriculture, option agreements, and covering the transaction costs of donated agricultural conservation easements.