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.
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As agriculture evolves, American Farmland Trust is scaling its programs, research, and regional teams to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers across the country. Learn how AFT’s new leadership structure and expanded national initiatives are driving innovation, resilience, and farmland protection.
David Haight
Virginia farmer Bob Waring is redefining agriculture by “growing fertilizer” through regenerative practices that boost soil health, resilience, and profits.
Elizabeth Beggins
Five years ago, American Farmland Trust launched the Soil Health Stewards program with an ambitious idea: if we could train the people protecting farmland to also champion healthy soils, the benefits would ripple far beyond property lines.
When a late frost destroyed most of Scott Farm Orchard’s 2023 apple crop, orchardist Erin Robinson and manager Simon Renault turned loss into action. Through the Planning for Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change (PARCC) project, they developed a climate plan focused on diversification, soil health, and community support. From frost fans to their best-selling ginger cider, Scott Farm shows what adaptation and resilience look like on the ground in Vermont.
Lia Raz
In this third installment of our blog series, we analyze the labels, marketing channels, and environmental markets the PCSC projects proposed to pursue to attract customers who value farm and forest climate-smart conservation practices.
Peter Ten Eyck was a pillar of the farming community in New York state, and a trailblazer for conservation and stewardship.
David Haight
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Alan Bailey
Organic farmers across New England are rethinking tillage. Through American Farmland Trust’s Farmer Led Innovations project, seven farms are testing new ways to build soil health, save time, and learn from each other’s successes and failures.
Lia Raz
American Farmland Trust hosts the New York Farm to School Institute retreat for schools growing farm to school efforts.
Heidi Exline
Through AFT's Regenerative Agriculture & Soil Health Curriculum
Kinzie Reiss
This fall, farmers across California are invited to attend four free events designed to explore how agrivoltaics can support working lands and strengthen farm resilience.
While much of the nation’s attention has been rightly focused on the current federal shutdown, we cannot lose sight of the fact that parts of the Farm Bill have expired at a time when agriculture is facing incredible economic challenges and uncertainty.
Samantha Levy
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.
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This winter, I hosted a series of informal “virtual coffee chats” with farmers across Illinois. These conversations started with a simple goal: to provide ongoing agronomic support to farmers participating in ADM’s re:generations™ program in Illinois. Through its partnership with ADM, American Farmland Trust works directly with producers to offer agronomic advice and support as they adopt and expand their use cover crops, reduced tillage, and other soil health practices.
As the Midwest Policy Manager for American Farmland Trust, I work with a wide array of individuals and organizations, all bringing their own priorities and perspectives to the proverbial table. In a policy landscape where time, attention, and funding are limited, finding initiatives that resonate across that diversity can be challenging.
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.
Discover how innovative land succession strategies like Buy-Protect-Sell Plus are helping preserve farmland, support retiring landowners, and create affordable access for the next generation of farmers. Learn how conservation easements, public funding, and long-term farm viability planning can keep agricultural land protected and productive for generations to come.
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American Farmland Trust’s Midwest Deputy Director, Jean Brokerish, honors the often-unseen women whose daily labor, resilience, and care keep family farms running generation after generation.
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.
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