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AFT Names Julia Valliant Director, Farms for a New Generation

AFT Names Julia Valliant Director, Farms for a New Generation

American Farmland Trust has named Julia Valliant as Director of the national Farms for a New Generation team, where she will lead efforts to increase access to land and capital for the rising generation of farmers and ranchers and support elder farmers and landowners in transferring their farms with dignity and confidence.

May 14, 2026

Michael Shulman

Big Lessons in Appreciating the Midwest's Little Details

Big Lessons in Appreciating the Midwest's Little Details

I grew up in Illinois, and here you learn to notice what I like to refer to as “little” nature. Little nature doesn’t demand your attention in the same way as more dramatic and grand landscapes; you have to give it your attention. You see little nature in the evolution of prairie flowers across the seasons, in the subtle differences between the bee species that pollinate them, or in the hidden life of a creek bed. These are things you come to understand over time by paying attention.

Apr 1, 2026

Spring Forward: A Season of Impact with AFT's Midwest Team

Spring Forward: A Season of Impact with AFT's Midwest Team

The Midwest begins to thaw, hinting at the next growing season, and the American Farmland Trust Midwest team is out in the field listening, learning, and educating. From late winter to early spring, our staff meets with farmers, landowners, and partners across the Midwest to dig into the topics that matter most—protecting our farmland, keeping farmers on the land, and promoting sound agriculture practices. Here’s a look at where we’ve been and at what’s coming up in Spring 2026.

Mar 4, 2026

Piero Taico

In My Garden: A Q&A with AFT’s Caro Roszell

In My Garden: A Q&A with AFT’s Caro Roszell

Caro is AFT New England’s Soil Health Program Manager, where she organizes farmer networks, provides technical support, and conducts research on agricultural practices and soil health. From perennial gardens to peer learning spaces, her work is rooted in connection — to land, farmers, and community. Read on to learn what she’s planting this spring and the farm lessons that continue to shape her work.

Feb 26, 2026

Lia Raz

In My Garden: A Q&A with AFT's Alissa White

In My Garden: A Q&A with AFT's Alissa White

Meet Alissa White, Deputy Director of AFT New England, and discover how her passion for farming, soil health, conservation, and supporting farmers is helping build more resilient agricultural communities across New England.

Aug 5, 2026

Helping New England Livestock Farmers to Thrive

Helping New England Livestock Farmers to Thrive

Discover how American Farmland Trust's Integrated Whole Farm Planning Pilot is helping New England livestock farmers strengthen farm viability through business planning, conservation support, succession planning, and peer networks that build long-term resilience.

Jul 27, 2026

Emeran Irby

Small Dollars for Big Impact: How Micro-Grants Radically Improve Small Farm Operations

Small Dollars for Big Impact: How Micro-Grants Radically Improve Small Farm Operations

When conservation is captured in acres, not feet, how do we talk about the impact of urban farms within the agricultural ecosystem?  I would argue one way is through ingenuity, creativity, and community impact. Most urban farms in the Midwest were not created solely focused on making a profit. The farmers have a strong desire to give back to their communities and the earth all while growing their small businesses. Last year, we profiled three urban farmers in and near Kansas City, Missouri who received micro-grants of $3,500 through a partnership between American Farmland Trust and a Kansas City-based urban agriculture non-profit, Cultivate Kansas City.

Jul 2, 2026

Annalise Lallana

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