RFA 0393 - Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Round 20 - Agricultural Conservation Easement Projects
RFA 0393 - Farmland Protection Implementation Grants Round 20 - Agricultural Conservation Easement Projects supports local partners acquiring easements to protect New York farmland from non-farm conversion.
Funder: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
Due Dates: Rolling (until funds are committed or the RFA closes)
Funding Amounts: $67 million available; awards up to $3 million ($500,000 with federal farmland protection funding); four-year contracts
Summary: Supports perpetual agricultural conservation easements protecting viable New York farmland at risk of conversion to non-farm uses.
Key Information: Applicants must hold the easement and obtain county farmland protection board endorsement; additional municipal endorsements apply.
Description
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets funds locally led farmland protection through Round 20 Farmland Protection Implementation Grants. Projects acquire perpetual agricultural conservation easements, whether purchased or fully donated, on viable agricultural lands threatened by conversion to non-farm uses. Activities must implement or be consistent with adopted county or municipal agricultural and farmland protection plans.
The program seeks to maintain the economic viability of New York agriculture and its supporting land base while protecting agriculture’s environmental and landscape values. Eleven project categories address farmland access, agricultural enterprises, climate resiliency, food security, and source water protection. Easements and land plans must preserve flexibility for economically viable farm operations and conform to Department policy.
