2026 Legislative Wrap-Up: Farmland Wins Across New England

New England had a mixed year for farmland this session — some real wins, some hard-fought compromises, and a few reminders of how much work is still ahead.

AFT Applauds Introduction of the Bipartisan American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act

AFT Applauds Introduction of the Bipartisan American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act

Washington State 2026 Legislative Wrap-Up

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.

A Deep Dive into the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

Cover Cropping in the High Desert: An Oregon Learning Circle at Sungrounded Farm

Farmers and farm workers gathered to discuss cover cropping strategies at Sungrounded Farm in the high desert of Terrebonne, Oregon, this past March.

Passing the Land Forward in Idaho

Agricultural producers and advisors are working together to navigate generational farm transitions.

Four Takeaways from 1,000 Miles of Colorado Agrivoltaics Conversations

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.

Big Lessons in Appreciating the Midwest's Little Details

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.

From Planning to Completion: Free Webinars on New Engineering Services for Northeast Farmers, Landowners, and Organizations

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.

A Deep Dive into the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

Farmers of American Farmland Trust

Celebrating International Year of the Woman Farmer

What’s the (Real) Rate of Soil Health Practice Adoption?

Those of us in conservation agriculture talk a lot about scaling the adoption of cover crops and conservation tillage in the US

Fourteen Farms in Two States: What We Learned in Year One of New England Biochar Trials

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.

Spring Forward: A Season of Impact with AFT's Midwest Team

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.

Making School Breakfast Count for Healthy Kids and New York Farmers

AFT celebrates National School Breakfast Week and Farm to School programs in New York

In My Garden: A Q&A with AFT’s Caro Roszell

Caro is AFT New England’s Soil Health Program Manager, where she organizes farmer networks, provides technical support, and conducts research on agricultural practices and soil health. From perennial gardens to peer learning spaces, her work is rooted in connection — to land, farmers, and community. Read on to learn what she’s planting this spring and the farm lessons that continue to shape her work.

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.

American Farmland Trust Applauds Introduction of Relief for Farmers Hit With PFAS

Five Years, One Farmer-Led Cohort: What Vermont Dairy Farmers Learned by Working Together

Over five years, seven Vermont dairy farmers built a tight-knit farmer-led learning cohort that became a practical space to compare approaches, troubleshoot challenges, and try new grazing and business-planning ideas.

Strengthen Your Farm: 2026 AFT Regenerate Virginia Grants Open Dec. 1–19

American Farmland Trust (AFT) has announced a call for applications for its 2026 Regenerate Virginia grant opportunities, open from December 1 to December 19, 2025.

AFT Applauds New NRCS Office of the Assistant Chiefs

Cultivating Wins for California’s Agricultural Lands and Farmers: American Farmland Trust’s 2025 Policy Report

During the first year of the 2025–2026 California State Legislature, AFT led coalitions to advance California agriculture policy that strengthens climate resilience, expands land access, protects farmland, and secures major investments through Cap-and-Invest, the SALC program, and Proposition 4 climate-smart agriculture funding.

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.

Growing Fertilizer in the Heart of Virginia: One Farmer's Story of Resilience

Virginia farmer Bob Waring is redefining agriculture by “growing fertilizer” through regenerative practices that boost soil health, resilience, and profits.

Getting Our Hands in the Dirt: Celebrating Five Years of Soil Health Stewards

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.

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.

Turning Conservation into Market Opportunities with USDA’s Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) Initiative

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.

Remembering Peter Ten Eyck, a Leader in Farmland Protection and Innovation at Indian Ladder Farms

Peter Ten Eyck was a pillar of the farming community in New York state, and a trailblazer for conservation and stewardship.