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.
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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
Emeran Irby
Lia Raz
AFT Staff
Caitlin Joseph
AFT Staff
Emily Liss
Caitlin Joseph
Caitlin Joseph
Stephanie Castle
AFT Staff
Stephanie Castle
Agriculture solar energy is a necessary tool in the fight against climate change. Experts agree that sourcing more energy from cleaner sources, such as solar panels, will help mitigate some of climate change’s future impacts. For America’s farmers and ranchers, this means limiting the regular occurrence of catastrophic weather events—such as floods, droughts, and intense heat waves—that threaten land and livelihood, as well as slowing less obvious climactic shifts that affect crops and livestock.
Ethan Winter
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