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American Farmland Trust is working to stop the loss of productive farmland and promote farming practices that lead to a healthy environment. Contact us for more information on what AFT's New York office can do to help protect farmland in New York state.
New York Spotlight
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| Pindar Damianos of Duck Walk Vineyards |
Suffolk County on Long Island is New York's number one agricultural county—with more than $250 million in sales in 2006. At the same time, the county experiences some of the most intense development pressure in the state. Faced with burgeoning growth, communities on the East End of Long Island have been faced with the choice to protect farmland and the agricultural industry or watch as housing replaces farm fields. Hudson Valley local, county and state officials embarked on a bus tour to see the results of that choice and learn about the challenges that face farmland protection on Long Island today. More
Focus on New York
Wyoming County held its annual County Fair this summer, and in addition to great food, entertainment, and rides, the County passed its Right to Farm Law .
The Wyoming County Board of Supervisors enacted this local law to support their thriving agricultural industry. A local Right to Farm Law is aimed at maintaining a supportive environment for farmers and reinforcing the “right-to-farm” provisions provided in New York State Agricultural District Law. Read More
New York State Policy
 New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker recently announced $313,750 in funding to help 14 towns develop local agricultural and farmland protection plans. “Communities around the state are recognizing the need to proactively plan a future for farms,” said David Haight, New York Director of American Farmland Trust. For more information about the program, and to see which communities were funded in Round III, visit the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets web site.
In the final hours of the legislative session, the Senate and Assembly passed S.7908/A. 11511. AFT worked with a broad coalition of allies including Assemblyman Magee, Senator Young, Governor Paterson's office, farm groups and land trusts to advance this legislation that makes New York land trusts eligible for annual funding of up to $50,000 per organization for farmland protection projects. This increased capacity for local farmland protection efforts will help projects funded by the state's Farmland Protection Program to be completed more quickly. Read more outcomes of key state farmland protection priorities.
A new farm bill: what’s in it for New York?
After years of work, we have a new 2008 Farm Bill. What does it mean for you and your community? From the foods we eat, to protecting farms from development, to helping keep our drinking water clean, the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 has many programs that affect all of us everyday.
Contact Us
New York Office
112 Spring Street, Suite 207
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(p) 518-581-0078 (f) 518-581-0079
neaft@farmland.org
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