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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Stephanie Castle
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The sturdy steel toe boots that protect your feet. The reliable truck that gets you from your fields to your markets. The tools and structures that help you grow, process, and share food with your community. This is the overlooked infrastructure of farming.
Jenna Farineau
At Bardwell Farm, farmer Harrison Bardwell is blending innovation with tradition to tackle soil health and disease pressure—proving there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to resilient farming.
Erinn Roberts & Kevin Antoszewski
At Astarte Farm, leaf mulch is proving to be a powerful tool for building soil health—offering a plastic-free, low-cost solution for weed suppression and resilience.
Erinn Roberts & Kevin Antoszewski
In this conversation, Brooks Lamb speaks about Tennessee’s new Farmland Preservation Fund, a $25 million, state-funded initiative designed to help farmers voluntarily protect their land from development through conservation easements.
Sarah J. Morton is redefining what it means to lead a family farm in central Virginia by combining her deep agricultural expertise with a powerful vision for community, culture, and conservation.
Nicole Gwishiri
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There’s nothing like a good read to slow down the season. And there’s nothing better than a trusted recommendation from someone who really knows the book.
The AMP redesign and reconciliation bill present a critical opportunity to strengthen conservation programs that support farmers and ranchers in adopting practices proven to enhance soil health, improve water and air quality, and boost farm profitability. AFT’s analysis shows that continued investment in conservation initiatives like cover crops, reduced tillage, and nutrient management yields both environmental and economic benefits, making them essential to long-term agricultural sustainability.
Michelle Perez, PhD
From June 15 - July 15, 2025, post a photo of your #NoFarmsNoFood bumper sticker on Instagram for a chance to win merch!
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Can you name one of the Seven Wonders of the World? It’s a bit of a trick question, because it turns out there are multiple different lists. It makes sense … why limit the wonders to just seven?
Jean Brokish
The Goodell family had continuously farmed 275 acres for over 100 years, but the final generation had to get creative to find a successor.
Olivia Fuller
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Regenerative grazing practices in Texas enhance watershed health by rotating livestock across pastures, these methods improve soil structure, increase water infiltration, and reduce runoff, leading to cleaner waterways and more resilient ecosystems.
Amanda Henderson
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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