RFP 0397 - Farmland Protection Staff Capacity Grants Pilot Program
This grant funds staff hiring or expansion for NY organizations to enhance the planning and implementation of farmland protection and agricultural conservation easement projects.
Funder: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
Due Dates: May 1, 2026 (Questions deadline) | June 26, 2026 (Full proposal, 4:00 p.m. local time)
Funding Amounts: Up to $300,000 per award; $1,000,000 total program funding; project duration up to 3 years.
Summary: Supports NY counties, municipalities, SWCDs, and not-for-profit conservation organizations in hiring or expanding staff to initiate or accelerate farmland protection projects.
Key Information: Applications must be submitted via the NYS Statewide Financial System Vendor Portal by the deadline.
Description
This grant program aims to strengthen local and regional farmland protection efforts across New York State by providing funding to hire new staff or expand existing staff capacity within eligible organizations. The goal is to increase the ability of counties, municipalities, soil and water conservation districts, and not-for-profit conservation organizations (such as land trusts) to plan, initiate, and implement agricultural conservation easement projects. Funding is available both for organizations making their first farmland protection hire and for those seeking to expand their team to accelerate project delivery.
