7,000+ acres of farmland set to be protected across Western New York

Farmland Implementation Grant Program: Protecting Farmland in New York

New Funding Announced for Farmland Implementation Grant Program

ALBANY, N.Y. (WROC) — On June 6, Governor Hochul announced a new round of funding for the Farmland Implementation Grant Program. This was the nineteenth such funding of the program, this time totaling $33 million dollars to help protect 12,356 acres of farmland. 15 of the 33 farms receiving assistance are in Western New York spread throughout the Finger Lakes and the Genesee Valley, with the total acreage set to be protected making up a majority of this round.

The Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Farmland Implementation Grant Program plays a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By protecting farmland, this program contributes to SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 15: Life on Land. It ensures food security, creates permanent jobs, and preserves biodiversity and ecosystems.

Conservation Easements and Land Conservation Organizations

The program is designed to provide funding to farms to purchase the development rights to their land, often through land conservation organizations. These organizations work to create a conservation easement to aid the process. Two major organizations in the region, the Genesee Valley Conservancy and the Genesee Land Trust, are leading the efforts to protect over 6,500 acres of farmland with this round of funding.

The Process of Farmland Protection

The process of farmland protection involves multiple stages. Farms interested in participating go through a county screening process to learn about the program and its requirements. After that, they submit a state application, which is highly competitive. Once a grant is awarded, there is a year and a half to two-year process of legal work, property surveying, and farm vetting to ensure the farm is worthy of permanent protection.

Criteria for Grant Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for grants include the quality of the soil on the farm and its future viability. The program requires a certain threshold of high-quality soils and productive farmland. This ensures that protected farms can continue to contribute to sustainable agriculture in the future.

Success Stories: The Impact of Farmland Protection

For farms that have already been protected by the program, such as Coyne Farms in Avon, NY, the impacts have been tremendous. Coyne Farms, a fourth-generation farm, has faced pressure from local development and solar power plant developers. By participating in the Farmland Implementation Grant Program, they have secured their land’s future and simplified their operations.

Economic Development and Job Creation

Farmland protection is not only about preserving agricultural land but also about economic development and job creation. By protecting farmland, permanent jobs are created and sustained. The land base remains intact and contributes to the agricultural economy of the community.

List of Farms Awarded Funding in the Finger Lakes Region

1. Genesee Valley Conservancy (Wyoming County) – Silver Haven Farms (dairy operation awarded under Viable Agricultural Land-Other category) – $1,876,790 for 565 acres with 98 percent productive soils
2. Genesee Valley Conservancy (Wyoming County) – Woodvale Farms #1 (dairy operation awarded under Viable Agricultural Land-Other category) – $1,316,195 for 425 acres with 75 percent productive soils
3. Genesee Valley Conservancy (Wyoming County) – Woodvale Farms #2 (dairy operation awarded under Viable Agricultural Land-Other category) – $1,082,901 for 355 acres with 57 percent productive soils
4. Western New York Land Conservancy (Genesee County) – Tiede Farm (cash crop operation awarded under Field Crops category) – $519,271 for 246 acres with 56 percent productive soils
5. Finger Lakes Land Trust (Yates County) – Hallpine Farm (cash crop operation awarded under Viable Agricultural Land-Other category) – $782,232 for 195 acres with 94 percent productive soils
6. Genesee Land Trust (Genesee County) – Branton Farms (cash crop operation awarded under Field Crops category) – $1,365,302 for 585 acres with 77 percent productive soils
7. Genesee Valley Conservancy (Genesee County) – Cottonwood Farm (dairy operation awarded under Livestock or Livestock Products category) – $1,853,625 for 788 acres with 41 percent productive soils
8. Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston County) – Doolittle Farm (dairy operation awarded under Livestock or Livestock Products category) – $1,487,195 for 623 acres with 81 percent productive soils
9. Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston County) – Zornow Farm (cash crop operation awarded under Specialty Crops category) – $1,385,953 for 458 acres with 83 percent productive soils
10. Genesee Land Trust (Wayne County) – Westfall Farm (beef cattle and cash crop operation awarded under Viable Agricultural Land-Other category) – $1,092,989 for 240 acres with 73 percent productive soils
11. Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston County) – Brady Farms #1 (cash crop operation awarded under Viable Agricultural Land-Other category) – $2,000,000 for 1,278 acres with 91 percent productive soils
12. Genesee Land Trust (Ontario County) – Hickory Lane Farm (beef cattle and cash crop operation awarded under Viable Agricultural Land-Other category) – $1,840,934 for 274 acres with 59 percent productive soils
13. Genesee Valley Conservancy (Livingston County) – Locust Lane Farm (beef cattle operation awarded under Viable Agricultural Land-Other category) – $350,940 for 141 acres with 91 percent productive soils
14. Genesee Land Trust (Genesee County) – Udderly Better Acres (dairy operation awarded under Viable Agricultural Land-Other category) – $492,626 for 242 acres with 88 percent productive soils
15. Genesee Valley Conservancy (Genesee County) – Har-Go Farm (dairy operation awarded under Viable Agricultural Land-Other category) – $1,489,130 for 634 acres with 60 percent productive soils

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: rochesterfirst.com

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