Blog
Trust Selected LI Regional Navigator for AFT’s Farmland for a New Generation Program
By Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
The new program provides statewide resources for connecting young or expanding farmers with farmland.
The 2012 Census of Agriculture reports that nearly one third of the farmers in New York State are over the age of 65 and 92% of those farmers do not have anyone working alongside them ready to take over their farm. On the other side, studies also find that access to affordable farmland remains one of the main barriers to new and young farmers getting started.
American Farmland Trust’s (AFT) Farmland for a New Generation program creates a centralized statewide Resource Center. This includes a farmland finder website to connect farmers with farmland. The program is funded by a grant from New York State.
Earlier this month, AFT announced 20 new regional navigators for its Farmland for a New Generation Program, including the Peconic Land Trust.
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AFT and Regional Navigators across the state will work together to make connections to help keep New York’s agriculture thriving. AFT’s program is modeled on the successful Hudson Valley Farmland Network.
The Trust will integrate this program into our Farms for the Future Initiative.
It will allow us to expand our ability to help farmers find land and aid farmland owners or current farmers in finding someone to continue farming their land. We’ll also continue to act as advisors — providing support, mentorship and training to our local farmers.
We look forward to making new connections and helping our local farms and farmers with the resources they need.
For more information, please contact Dan Heston, Senior Manager of Agricultural Programs or Stewardship Manager Jessie Marcus at 631.283.3195.