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

Statement from Maxwell Webster, AFT Midwest Policy Manager: Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy Third Biennial Report in Illinois

Samantha Levy Joins American Farmland Trust’s Federal Policy Team to Lead a Multiyear Strategy Aimed at Advancing Transformational Climate Policy

Policy Update: AFT Submits Comment to USDA on Meat Processing Infrastructure 

New Case Study and Western New York Field Day Aim to Help Farmers Adopt Conservation Practices

Midwest Develops New Policy Priorities

American Farmland Trust and Chobani Award Microgrants to 22 New York Farm Families

Farmers and Farmland Owners Invited to Learn about Carbon Markets, Soil Regenerative Practices and How to Improve Conservation on Rented Lands in the Genesee River Watershed

Policy Update: Senate Releases Reconciliation Details

American Farmland Trust Joins 214 Organizations in Calling on Congress to Double Conservation Funding

Policy Update: USDA Progress on Heirs’ Property Relending Program

Policy Update: AFT Submits Comment to USDA on Racial Equity

Founding Director of USDA-NRCS Soil Health Division Bianca Moebius-Clune, PhD Joins American Farmland Trust

Protecting Indiana Farmland: What Local Residents Can Do Right Now

Indiana is paving over its future. Year over year, we lose nearly 29,000 acres of Hoosier farmland due to accelerating pressures from urban sprawl, large-scale industrial development, energy infrastructure, and technology facilities. Indiana’s fertile soils are one of the state’s most valuable and irreplaceable assets. Once they're gone, however, so are the farmers’ livelihoods, agricultural heritage, and long-term potential they represent. The time to act is now.

In My Garden: A Q&A with AFT's Alissa White

Meet Alissa White, Deputy Director of AFT New England, and discover how her passion for farming, soil health, conservation, and supporting farmers is helping build more resilient agricultural communities across New England.

American Farmland Trust Kicks Off 18th Annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration With $15,000 in Prizes

The 18th annual AFMC runs Aug. 1 - Sept. 30 on markets.farmland.org. The event is a fun celebration that helps farmers markets across the country earn national recognition and local prestige. Markets can join the celebration and encourage their customers to vote, an excellent marketing tool and a pathway to winning a piece of the $15,000 prize pool.

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.

Centering Farmer Experiences in Planning and Disaster Relief

Learn how American Farmland Trust's latest research is helping shape more effective conservation planning, climate disaster relief, and soil health programs by centering farmers' experiences and expertise.

Helping New England Livestock Farmers to Thrive

Discover how American Farmland Trust's Integrated Whole Farm Planning Pilot is helping New England livestock farmers strengthen farm viability through business planning, conservation support, succession planning, and peer networks that build long-term resilience.

Tillage Reduction, Biochar and Living Clover: AFT Partners with Island Grown Initiative to Explore and Advance Soil Health Practices

Discover how American Farmland Trust and Island Grown Initiative are advancing soil health through reduced tillage, biochar, and living clover trials.

Working Hard for West Tennessee Farmers

Learn more on how Brad Buttrey helps farmers implement conservation practices that enhance soil health, improve water quality, and support human and non-human communities in Tennessee.

Bear Roots Farm: Building Resilience Through Diversification in Central Vermont

Bear Roots Farm in central Vermont is building climate resilience through diversified farming, perennial crops, soil health practices, and community support. Learn how this innovative farm is adapting to extreme weather while strengthening its business and local food system.

AFT Launches Beef Producer Economic Resilience Initiative

AFT’s Beef Grazing Network is launching a redesigned Beef Producer Economic Resilience Initiative, now part of USDA’s Advancing Markets for Producers program.

Small Dollars for Big Impact: How Micro-Grants Radically Improve Small Farm Operations

When conservation is captured in acres, not feet, how do we talk about the impact of urban farms within the agricultural ecosystem?  I would argue one way is through ingenuity, creativity, and community impact. Most urban farms in the Midwest were not created solely focused on making a profit. The farmers have a strong desire to give back to their communities and the earth all while growing their small businesses. Last year, we profiled three urban farmers in and near Kansas City, Missouri who received micro-grants of $3,500 through a partnership between American Farmland Trust and a Kansas City-based urban agriculture non-profit, Cultivate Kansas City.

Virginia Advances Agrivoltaics: What the New Law Means for Solar, Farmland and Farmers

Virginia's new agrivoltaics definition marks an important milestone in the conversation about solar development and farmland. Drawing on farmer perspectives and AFT's Smart Solar℠ approach, this article explores what the legislation means for agriculture, energy, and rural communities.