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 conservation partners in securing perpetual easements to protect New York farmland.
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; up to $3 million per project ($500,000 with federal 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.
Description
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets administers Round 20 Farmland Protection Implementation Grants to maintain the economic viability of agriculture and its supporting land base while protecting agricultural landscapes and environmental values. Funding covers part of the eligible costs of purchasing or accepting fully donated perpetual agricultural conservation easements.
Projects must implement, or be consistent with, adopted county or municipal agricultural and farmland protection plans. Eleven project categories accommodate different farm enterprises, farmland access, climate resiliency, food security, and drinking-water protection. Eligibility depends on the selected category, region, acreage, active agricultural production, and productive soils. Awards are made in the order applications are deemed complete and eligible, rather than through a single competitive deadline.
