Nearly $38M in farmland grants available

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced Wednesday nearly $38 million is now available through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program to help farmers across New York protect valuable and atrisk farmland.

“By investing in the sustainability and growth of New York’s farmland, we are protecting an important economic driver for communities across the state while providing opportunities for our agriculture industry to grow,” Cuomo said. “This unprecedented $38 million commitment to land preservation will ensure New York’s vast farmland is used for agricultural purposes and remains protected for generations.”

Municipalities, counties, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and land trusts are eligible to apply for individual grants of up to $2 million to help offset the costs of conservation easement projects that protect viable agricultural land from being converted to nonagricultural use. The Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program is funded through New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund, which was included in the State Budget at $300 million for the third consecutive year. The application deadline is Aug. 31 and the Request for Proposals is available at www.agriculture. ny.gov/RFPS.html.

“Protecting our farmland is vital to ensuring the continued growth of New York’s agricultural industry,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “Our farmers provide world-class products to consumers in New York communities and beyond. We’re committed to protecting and supporting agriculture with significant investments to expand opportunities and allow the industry to con-

tinue to flourish.”

Since 2011, the state has invested more than $62 million in 82 farmland protection projects statewide. This funding opportunity continues the state’s commitment to provide financial and technical assistance for farmland protection on a predictable two-year cycle. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ previous streamlining measures have resulted in significant reductions in the overall time needed to complete projects.

This year, to explore additional tools in preserving land for agricultural production, the state has included preemptive purchase rights as an eligible cost that may be partially covered through the grant program. This is the first time state financial assistance may be used toward this eligible project cost.

The Department has established certain criteria to guide the use of this unique easement provision in awarded projects. Preemptive purchase rights encourage agricultural land to remain in active production and to be sold to other farmers at its agricultural value. Certain requirements must be met in order for eligible applicants to use grant funding for these purchase rights, which will also provide a potential avenue for new and beginning farmers in acquiring land.

“The Department has made great strides in improving regional collaboration on its farmland preservation programs and ensuring we move the Farmland Protection program forward,” New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said. “We are pleased to make available nearly double the funding this year than we have in previous years and are committed to preserving our land base, which not only retains the state’s farmland for our future New York farmers but also helps protects our environment.”

Round 16 of the Farmland Protection Program builds on New York State’s continued land preservation efforts. Earlier this year, the Department announced $5.5 million is available through two new grant opportunities, first announced in the Governor’s 2017 State of the State address, to help keep farmland in agricultural production. The funding will help applicants cover costs associated with obtaining and administering an Option Agreement Project. It will also help farmers identify available land through the development of local land inventories, inform landowners of programs and opportunities to protect their properties from conversion to non-farm uses, and expand outreach efforts to better connect willing landowners with farmers interested in leasing or buying their properties for agricultural production.

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 https://grantsgateway. ny.gov.