Farmland for a New Generation New York

Farmland for a New Generation New York (FNG-NY) is a program coordinated by American Farmland Trust, in partnership with the state of New York, agricultural organizations, land trusts, and others, that helps farmers seeking land and landowners wanting to keep their land in farming. The program offers a statewide website and is supported by a network of Regional Navigators, partner organizations with dedicated staff who can provide information and personal assistance to farmers and landowners across New York.

We provide resources and services to help farmland seekers – new farmers and younger generations of farm families – while supporting elder generations and other farmland owners in successfully transferring their farms.

Why Land Access?

According to the Census of Agriculture, nearly a third of farmers in New York State are over the age of 65. At the same time, new and beginning farmers face major obstacles to finding suitable farmland at prices they can afford. Access to farmland remains the number one barrier facing aspiring farmers, and this barrier is even higher for historically and currently marginalized farmers. Without pathways to support bringing a new generation of farmers onto the land, approximately 2 million acres of New York farmland are vulnerable to being lost. The New York Farmland Finder website and the support provided by AFT and Regional Navigators is one tool that can be used by farmland seekers and farmland owners to overcome these challenges – by connecting directly to available farm properties, farm jobs, resources, and expert advice. 

American Farmland Trust staff serve as the first point of contact for farmers and landowners seeking support from the Farmland for a New Generation New York program.

Collectively, the FNG-NY team has a broad range of experience in key topics related to accessing and transferring land, including developing farm business or succession plans, evaluating farm properties, preparing land for agriculture, fostering equitable land access, conserving farmland, and more. Each profile created on the New York Farmland Finder website is reviewed by our staff and offered individual support.

Please contact us or a Regional Navigator with questions and to receive assistance with finding your farm, connecting with a farmer, or planning for your farm’s future.