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.
Discover how a dedicated Wisconsin farming couple overcame land access challenges to build a thriving, community-focused farm with the help of innovative programs and partnerships. This inspiring story highlights resilience, sustainable agriculture, and the journey from renting land to achieving long-term farm ownership.
In April, three AFT staff celebrated MANRRS’ 40th year at their “Leadership to Legacy Annual Training Conference and Career Expo” in Dallas, Texas. AFT’s Anel Trujillo, Nicole Gwishiri, and Tasha Wei hosted hands-on trainings and a booth at the conference career expo, which was attended by conference founders and thousands of students from across the country.
Farmers and farm workers gathered to discuss cover cropping strategies at Sungrounded Farm in the high desert of Terrebonne, Oregon, this past March.
Agricultural producers and advisors are working together to navigate generational farm transitions.
Colorado is testing whether food and energy can truly grow together — from vineyard agrivoltaics at CSU to the first commercial fruit-orchard project at Talbott Farms. Four takeaways from 1,000 miles of conversations with farmers, co-ops, and county officials on what it will take to scale.
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.
.jpg)
Prosperity Partners, American Farmland Trust's fee-for-service program, is expanding its agricultural engineering services in the Northeast. And this April, we're hosting three free webinars to show farmers, land trusts, and nonprofits what's now possible.
Those of us in conservation agriculture talk a lot about scaling the adoption of cover crops and conservation tillage in the US
Biochar — a carbon-rich material made by heating organic matter in a low-oxygen environment — has emerged as a potential tool for building soil organic matter, improving water retention, and storing carbon long-term. But for many farmers, biochar still feels more like a research concept than a practical option.
.jpg)
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.
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.
.jpg)
