AFT Statement on House Farm Bill Passage
Apr 30, 2026
New legislation to increase support for farmers, ranchers, and foresters with small-acreage operations across the country through the Office of Small Farms Establishment Act would create a new office within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) focused on ensuring that smaller operations have better access to the critical federal programs that provide farm loans, conservation funding, crop insurance, and much more.
Kinzie Reiss
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
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's Bonnie McGill is excited about this nutrient-density movement and how it connects to all the great work we’re already doing with farmers across the country to build soil health and further, healthy food.
Bonnie McGill
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Hear from AFT’s Smart Solar Program Coordinator on efforts to define agrivoltaics and encourage thoughtful policy and project design to benefit farmers, energy production, and land stewardship in California and Colorado.
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Since January, AFT has been planting seeds for improved agricultural policy across the Midwest. This blog is part of a three-part series spotlighting our work in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
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During this past Women’s History Month, AFT collaborated with local partners in Northern Illinois to host events focused on farmland succession planning, sharing resources to empower women farmers and landowners to guide their land or family farm transition to the next generation.
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Read on to learn what we’ve been up to in Indiana, what we’re working on now, and an action you can take to support better food and farm policy in your state!
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This blog is part of a three-part series spotlighting our work in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Read on to learn what we’ve been up to in Wisconsin, what we’re working on now, and an action you can take to support better food and farm policy in your state!
I recently spent time traveling and visiting Kentucky farmers growing rye as part of AFT's Kentucky Rye Cereal Crop Initiative.
Brian Brandt
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AFT's New York Farmland Access Fund aims to holistically address land access and affordability challenges in New York.
Our AFT staff, Rachel, Floréal, and Marlee reflect on their experiences from the recent Marbleseed Organic Conference in February 2025 and the topic of embracing slowness as a strategy to commit to a larger vision of a sustainable future.
AFT’s Brooks Lamb caught up with Claudia for a quick Q&A after the Land Transfer Navigators training in San Antonio, Texas. In the conversation below, they discuss farm transition planning, conflict management, role playing exercises—and the importance of good, consistent communication.
Brooks Lamb
Chelsea Gazillo is the new Senior California Policy Manager for AFT. She brings solid experience in agricultural policy and land protection.
Teresa O'Connor
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Discover how American Farmland Trust and Island Grown Initiative are advancing soil health through reduced tillage, biochar, and living clover trials.
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 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’s Beef Grazing Network is launching a redesigned Beef Producer Economic Resilience Initiative, now part of USDA’s Advancing Markets for Producers program.
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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.
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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.
AFT programs highlight peer learning for farmers committed to advancing conservation, land stewardship, and community resilience in their communities. This Farmer Profile is funded by the Natural Resources Conservation Service to highlight inspiring farmers who work to protect, steward, and manage U.S. farmland.
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