Farmland Preservation: Land For Future Generati... [NEW]
The Next Generation Farmland Acquisition Program is available to help qualified young or beginning farmers who have trouble entering the agricultural profession, because of relatively high farmland costs and lack of access to adequate financial capital to purchase farmland.
Farmland Preservation: Land for Future Generati...
The Next Gen Program is essentially a fast-moving farmland conservation easement option purchase program that is designed to help facilitate the transfer of farmland to a new generation of farmers, while also effectively helping to preserve the subject agricultural land from future development.
People interested in applying to the Next Gen Program are requested to make contact with their county farmland preservation program office (in the county in which the farmland is located) by no later than a month before submission, to discuss the suitability of a subject farm being permanently preserved. Moreover, certain required paperwork prepared by farm property sellers must be received in the county office by no later than a month in advance.
The Small Accreage Next Generation Program (SANG) is available to help qualified young or beginning farmers who have trouble entering the agricultural profession, because of relatively high farmland costs and lack of access to adequate financial capital, to purchase smaller farmland properties that are between 10 to 49 acres.
The Small Acreage Next Gen Program is essentially a fast-moving farmland conservation easement option purchase program that is designed to help facilitate the transfer of farmland to a new generation of farmers, and help preserve the small acreage agricultural land from future development. Using the SANG Program, MARBIDCO is able to provide 40% to 60% of the Fair Market Value (FMV) (land only) in exchange for a permanent agricultural conservation easement, and that money is used as a down-payment to purchase the farmland.
People interested in applying to the SANG Program are requested to make contact with their county farmland preservation program office (in the county in which the farmland is located) by no later than a month before submission, to discuss the suitability of a subject farm being permanently preserved. Moreover, certain required paperwork prepared by farm property sellers must be received in the county office by no later than a month in advance.
The Montgomery County Agricultural Land Preservation Program, also known as the farmland preservation program, purchases agricultural easements on productive farms in Montgomery County. When the easement is sold, the owner keeps the land but it must remain in farming in perpetuity. The farmer may sell the land in the future, but the new owner must continue farming. Applying to the program is voluntary. For information on preserving a farm, contact Stephen Zbyszinski at 610-278-5960.
The farmland preservation program provides the planning commission with an annual summary of its efforts and activities to support agriculture in Montgomery County. Part of this process is the development of an ESRI story map illustrating the farms preserved in 2022, examples of supportive publications, and photos from events held.
Over 100 people attended Keep Farming in Montgomery County: A Conference Focusing on Sustaining Farming for the Future, which took place on February 10, 2017 in Franconia Township. Sponsored by Montgomery County in conjunction with active cosponsors, this was the fifth farming conference to be offered by the county. The conference, another step in helping to preserve farmland and the farming industry, focused on major topics of interest to farmers including funding sources for on-farm improvements, emerging sectors of the marketplace, soil health, diversifying farm products, and transitioning farms to the next generation.
The program is a relatively fast-moving farmland conservation-easement option purchase program designed to help facilitate the transfer of farmland to a new generation of farmers, while also helping preserve the subject agricultural land from future development. Selection for participation in the program is expected to be competitive.
Through the Next Gen Program, MARBIDCO pays up to 51 percent of the fair market value (FMV) of the land only (with a cap of $500,000). Funds are provided as a down payment at the real-estate settlement and MARBIRDO takes a contractual option on the farmland preservation easement purchase. That is designed to help enable a commercial lender to also make a loan to help with the purchase of the farm.
Those interested in applying are requested to make contact with their county agricultural land-preservation staff in the county in which the farmland is located by no later than Friday, Oct. 19, to discuss the suitability of a subject farm being permanently preserved.
FarmPAI provides conservation entities with low-interest loans for the fee-simple acquisition of at-risk farmland. FPLA grants fund the purchase of an agricultural conservation easement. The agricultural conservation easement ensures the land stays open and available for farming in perpetuity. By restricting or removing certain development rights that are incompatible with agriculture, FPLA-funded agricultural conservation easements make farmland more affordable for the future farm owner.
We not only work with farmland owners interested in protecting their land, but also with experienced farmers seeking more land and beginning farmers looking for their first farm. Because unprotected farmland is often too expensive for farmers, we increasingly protect farmland with an easement in order to make it more affordable for a farmer who wants to buy it. So if you are a farmer looking to buy farmland at a more affordable cost, we may be able to help.
Forever Farms celebrates the great work of the many land trusts across this state that are protecting farmland, as well as the stories of farmers who steward protected land. Visit the Forever Farms page.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced more than $18.6 million has been provided in support of conservation easement projects on 25 New York dairy farms. Dairy farmers continue to face challenges from prolonged low milk prices, increasing the threat of conversion of viable agricultural land to nonfarm development. Through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program, dairy farms can diversify their operations or transition their farms to the next generation at more affordable costs, while ensuring the land forever remains used for agricultural purposes. Since early 2018, New York State has awarded more than $30.7 million to dairy farms, protecting 15,102 acres. "Agriculture is a critical component of our upstate economy and our farms improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers," Governor Cuomo said. "They provide fresh and nutritious food and beverages to our communities and are home to some of New York's most scenic landscapes. This program will help ensure our farms continue their successful operations for future generations." "Protecting our farmland is vital to ensuring the continued growth of the state's agricultural industry," Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said. "New York is among the largest producers of milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese in the country, providing to consumers in New York and beyond. With this funding for farmland protection, we are continuing our efforts to protect and support agriculture, expand opportunities, and build on the success of the industry." Protecting the agricultural land base of an operating dairy farm from conversion to nonfarm use is essential to the long-term viability and sustainability of New York's agricultural industry. New York's dairy industry is the largest sector of the State's agricultural industry and a critical component of its economy, accounting for approximately one-half of New York State's on-farm production, agricultural support services and value-added products. New York State is home to nearly 4,000 dairy farms with more than 620,000 cows, producing 14.9 billion pounds of milk. New York ranks fourth in the production of milk and is first in the nation in the production of other dairy products, such as yogurt and cottage cheese. The projects awarded will protect 10,253 acres of viable agricultural land comprised of prime soils:
Following the success of Round 1 of this program, New York State is launching a second round of the Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program specifically for dairy. The state will accept applications on a rolling basis for farmland protection grants of up to $2 million from eligible entities, such as land trusts, municipalities, counties, and soil and water conservation districts. There is no application deadline. Conservation easement projects will be awarded to eligible dairy farms that are:
All farmland protection project proposals must be submitted electronically through the New York State Grants Gateway. For more information regarding the Grants Gateway, please visit Grants Gateway. Additional information and the Request for Applications (RFA) can be found on the Department's website.
New York Policy Manager for American Farmland Trust Samantha Levy said, "These investments in dairy farms are coming at a critical time. Not only will these projects strengthen the future for New York farms, they will ensure that this irreplaceable farmland will be permanently available to future generations for farming and growing food. Thank you to Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature for responding to this urgent need. We look forward to working with the Department of Agriculture and Markets, land trusts and other partners to make sure that projects are completed quickly so that critical funds go to participating farm families that urgently need them."
Senator Jen Metzger, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said, "A robust farmland protection program is particularly important in areas like the Hudson Valley, where development pressures have greatly increased the value of land, making it unaffordable for many farmers. The Farmland Protection Grant program is critical to supporting the continued viability of New York's dairy farms by assisting with diversification and affordable succession, helping to keep farmland in the hands of farmers for generations to come." 041b061a72