New York State Budget Includes Wins for Agriculture and Opportunities for Further Support 

Albany, NY — American Farmland Trust (AFT) applauds Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature for enacting a final FY 2026–27 state budget that delivers meaningful, sustained investments in farmland protection, farm viability, climate resilience, and local food systems across New York.

At a time when New York continues to experience farmland loss and a significant share of the state’s farmers are approaching retirement age, the enacted budget reflects a clear and continued commitment to agriculture as a critical component of the state’s economy, environmental stewardship, and food system resilience. 

Strengthening Farmland Protection and Supporting the Next Generation of Farmers

The final budget includes $27 million in capital funding for agriculture and farmland protection activities, which includes $1 million in capacity building grants for land trusts, reinforcing the state’s commitment to keeping productive farmland in active use and supporting agricultural viability.

This investment complements the state’s broader, long-term commitment to farmland protection through the Environmental Bond Act, which provides substantial, multi-year funding ($150 million) for land conservation, including farmland protection. Together, these funding streams position New York to make both immediate and sustained investments in preserving its agricultural land base.

In addition, the budget maintains $700,000 in funding for Farmland for a New Generation New York (FNG-NY), the state’s flagship land access and farm succession program. FNG-NY plays a critical role in facilitating land transitions by connecting retiring farmers and landowners with new and beginning farmers, providing technical assistance, and supporting long-term farmland retention.

These investments recognize that protecting farmland and ensuring successful generational transitions are foundational to maintaining a strong agricultural sector. By supporting both land conservation and land access, the state is helping to ensure that farmland remains in production and that the next generation of farmers can enter and thrive.

Advancing Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Local Conservation Capacity

The enacted budget includes $20.5 million for Climate Resilient Farming and related agricultural programs, supporting on-farm practices that improve soil health, enhance water management, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase resilience to extreme weather conditions.

The budget also provides $19 million for Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), strengthening local capacity to deliver technical assistance and implement conservation projects in partnership with farmers.

These programs are essential to ensuring that farmers across New York have access to the tools, expertise, and financial support needed to adapt to a changing climate. Continued investment in conservation infrastructure and local capacity helps scale regenerative practices while supporting long-term farm productivity and environmental outcomes.

Sustaining Farm to School Programs and Expanding Local Food Access

The final budget maintains $10 million in funding for the 30% New York State Farm-to-School Initiative, as well as approximately $1.5 million for the Farm to School Grant Program, sustaining the state’s core investment in connecting schools with New York farmers.

These programs are critical to strengthening regional food supply chains, creating stable institutional markets for farmers, and improving access to fresh, locally grown food for students. By continuing to fund both the reimbursement incentive and grant program, the state maintains a coordinated approach that supports both procurement and capacity-building within schools.

At the same time, the budget does not include proposed updates to modernize the 30% Initiative. These proposals were developed through a broad coalition of stakeholders to address longstanding barriers to participation from schools, including administrative complexity and an outdated reimbursement structure that has limited program uptake. By not passing this package, New York has missed an opportunity to expand the program and ensure that more than the approximately 10% of schools and a relatively small percentage of farmers and children benefit from the state’s investment.

"The reimbursement rate has remained at 19 cents per lunch meal since 2018 -- about 26 cents in today's dollars -- and simply does not reflect the reality of rising food and labor costs," said Julian Mangano, New York Policy Manager for American Farmland Trust. "Updating the program's structure and incentives is essential to making it work for school districts across the state."

American Farmland Trust extends its sincere appreciation to Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, as well as Assemblymembers Karen McMahon, Anna Kelles, Carrie Woerner, and John McDonald, and Senators Zellnor Myrie, George Borrello, and Shelley Mayer for their leadership and strong support of the 30% Initiative modernization proposal. Their commitment reflects a clear understanding of the importance of strengthening farm-to-school programs to better serve both producers and school communities.

While modernization was not included in this year’s budget, maintaining funding ensures that the program continues to operate and deliver benefits statewide. AFT and its partners remain committed to working collaboratively with these legislative champions and the Governor’s office to advance improvements that make the program more accessible, equitable, and impactful in the year ahead.

A Balanced Investment in New York’s Agricultural Future

"While the new state budget reflects a comprehensive investment in New York agriculture -- supporting farmland protection, farm viability, climate resilience, and local food systems -- this final enacted budget still leaves room for improvement for the state's local food purchasing incentive program," Mangano said. "It is clear that the state recognizes the essential role agriculture plays in strengthening rural economies, supporting public health, and advancing environmental sustainability. However, until it passes the changes to the 30% Incentive, money that could go to support schools, children, and farmers will go underutilized despite the best efforts of a strong farm to school community of stakeholders in the state."

American Farmland Trust extends its sincere thanks to Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and members of the Legislature for their leadership and commitment to advancing policies that support farmers and farmland across New York State.

AFT remains committed to working in partnership with state leaders, coalition partners, and the agricultural community to build on this progress and advance policy solutions that keep farmland in farming, strengthen regional food systems, and support the long-term success of New York agriculture.

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American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms No Food® message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families.