Skip to content
Blog Posts Press Releases Policy All
AFT Names Julia Valliant Director, Farms for a New Generation

AFT Names Julia Valliant Director, Farms for a New Generation

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.

May 14, 2026

Michael Shulman

Balancing Energy and Agriculture in Texas

Balancing Energy and Agriculture in Texas

As Texas faces rising energy demand and farmland loss, new legislation presents a pivotal opportunity to expand clean energy while protecting agricultural resources. By supporting rooftop solar, agrivoltaics, and smart utility-scale siting, Texas can lead in balancing renewable energy growth with farmland preservation.

Jul 9, 2025

Garrett Bader

The Overlooked Infrastructure of Farming

The Overlooked Infrastructure of Farming

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.

Jun 30, 2025

Jenna Farineau

Soil Stewardship at Astarte Farm

Soil Stewardship at Astarte Farm

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.

Jun 30, 2025

Erinn Roberts & Kevin Antoszewski

Finding Common Ground: A Q&A with Brooks Lamb

Finding Common Ground: A Q&A with Brooks Lamb

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.

Jun 27, 2025

Emeran Irby

Fresh Book Picks for Your Summer Stack

Fresh Book Picks for Your Summer Stack

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.

Jun 23, 2025

Why Conservation Matters for the AMP Redesign and the Hill's Reconciliation Bill

Why Conservation Matters for the AMP Redesign and the Hill's Reconciliation Bill

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.

Jun 18, 2025

Michelle Perez, PhD

From Family Roots to Farmer Networks: Growing Soil Health in Illinois

From Family Roots to Farmer Networks: Growing Soil Health in Illinois

Since starting with American Farmland Trust in June, I have worked with farmers across the state of Illinois through our Farmer-Led Advances in Soil Health (FLASH) program. Attending the FLASH group meetings, I’ve met many passionate conservationists dedicated to protecting farmland for future generations, a sentiment very personal and important to me. I grew up in Ramsey, a small town in south-central Illinois. My family has been farming in the area since around the 1850s; my great-grandmother grew up on the same farm as I did. My dad still farms the land, maintaining an operation of corn, soybeans, and beef cattle.

Dec 9, 2025

Morgan Cauble

Adapting to Meet the Needs of America’s Farmers and Ranchers

Adapting to Meet the Needs of America’s Farmers and Ranchers

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.

Nov 21, 2025

David Haight

Vermont’s Scott Farm Orchard: Building Resilience in a Changing Climate

Vermont’s Scott Farm Orchard: Building Resilience in a Changing Climate

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.

Nov 6, 2025

Lia Raz

How can you help?

Get 10% off your first merch order

Follow Us