Helping Local Families Protect Farmland Forever

Farming is a way of life for many in our region, but low margins and changing weather patterns are a constant challenge to farmers. Some agricultural landowners have had to sell their land to developers for non-agricultural uses. Otsego Land Trust is dedicated to helping keep farmland in active agricultural use, preserving the farms that feed us and the pastoral landscape that defines our region.

To support local agriculture and farmland, our staff worked directly with farmers to submit four applications for the purchase of development rights through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grants program of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Justin Williams, Agricultural Specialist funded by the American Farmland Trust and the Community Foundation for South Central New York, along with May Leinhart, Land Protection Manager, worked for over six months to prepare the documentation needed to submit the projects. Governor Kathy Hochul announced on June 6th that all four applications from Otsego Land Trust have been awarded.

The awarded grants will provide 2.1 million dollars directly to four local farmers and will protect 738 acres of agricultural land.

 Miller's Organic Dairy, Otsego County,

Purchasing the development rights and placing the farms under conservation easements will ensure that future generations can access prime agricultural land for food production. Through this funding, the farmer retains ownership of their land, while an agricultural conservation easement held by Otsego Land Trust ensures the land remains in agricultural use.

“New York’s farmland and our rich soils across the State are precious resources, providing us open space and supporting the production of the food we eat,” Governor Hochul said. “By protecting our farmland, we can help ensure the viability and success of New York agriculture for generations to come."