AFT Applauds Introduction of the Bipartisan American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act
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.
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.
AFT Applauds Introduction of the Bipartisan American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act
Highlighting a recent policy update that offers a perspective on our work to advance farmland protection and support agricultural viability across Washington State in 2026.
AFT Staff
Samantha Levy
Helen VanBeck
AFT Staff
New Land Transfer Program to Help Nation’s Farmers Protect and Access Farmland
Brooks Lamb
Teresa O'Connor
The first sight many visitors will notice when pulling into Czajkowski Farm is one that might seem unfamiliar—a field of broccoli being grown under the watchful eye of solar panels standing overhead. This technique of growing crops and generating energy on the same parcel is called agrivoltaics. While these projects may currently stick out in Massachusetts combining solar and agriculture, they are growing in popularity across the nation because of the opportunities they provide to keep land in agriculture and build resilience to climate change.
During this time of harvest and seasonal change, there are telltale signs of the coming winter—the chill in the morning air, neighborhood leaf pick-ups, and local winter farmers markets. Before joining the Midwest Region of AFT, my journey to regenerative agriculture started with my family’s love and passion for cooking. This led me to manage our local farmers market and become a part of a community. Wrapping up my first year with AFT, I’ve realized the full scope of our work has been shaping a future where wholesome, locally grown food can become accessible and the norm, a future I’m aligned with from my core.
Piero Taico
AFT Staff
Our AFT staff, Rachel, Floréal, and Marlee reflect on their experiences from the recent Marbleseed Organic Conference in February 2025 and the topic of embracing slowness as a strategy to commit to a larger vision of a sustainable future.
American Farmland Trust, the national leader in agriculturally compatible solar, has released its Policy Recommendations to Increase Agrivoltaic Development.
Michael Shulman
AFT’s Brooks Lamb caught up with Claudia for a quick Q&A after the Land Transfer Navigators training in San Antonio, Texas. In the conversation below, they discuss farm transition planning, conflict management, role playing exercises—and the importance of good, consistent communication.
Brooks Lamb
American Farmland Trust and the New York Grown Food for New York Kids Coalition are celebrating National School Breakfast Week and schools that serve local, farm-fresh foods to students.
SAVING AMERICA’S WORKING LANDS, a national conference hosted by American Farmland Trust, focuses on the threatened and irreplaceable land that America relies upon to grow food, fiber and fuel, provide environmental benefits and maintain farm viability and rural vitality.
Lori Sallet
Chelsea Gazillo is the new Senior California Policy Manager for AFT. She brings solid experience in agricultural policy and land protection.
Teresa O'Connor
American Farmland Trust in coordination with Aiken Land Conservancy published the Aiken 2040 Visioning Session report, which identifies Aiken County’s farmland under future development scenarios.
Michael Shulman
Sioux Honey Association Co-op, the gold standard of honey since 1921, and American Farmland Trust, a national nonprofit working to save the land that sustains us, announce the joint launch of U.S. Farmed™ certified honey, a standard for consumer-packaged goods proven to contain at least 95% of ingredients grown in the United States.
Michael Shulman
American Farmland Trust and Sol Systems announced a new initiative aimed at integrating solar energy production with sustainable agriculture. This collaboration will focus on growing the Kernza® perennial grain, a grain developed from intermediate wheatgrass, a relative of annual wheat.
Michael Shulman
🌱☀️ Curious about how solar energy and agriculture can coexist? Check our latest blog on agrivoltaics and the Smart Solar Principles guiding our "Smart Solar Specialist's work. #SmartSolar #Agrivoltaics #RenewableEnergy
Alan Bailey
Read the 2024 New England Impact Report to learn more about how our team supported farmers and farmland over the past year.