Six and a half million acres of New York farmland form the foundation for the state’s $85 billion farm and food economy, but this irreplaceable land is under threat from development. In five years, the state has lost nearly 364,000 acres of farmland and 2,788 farms.

At the same time, 35% of New York’s farmers are over the age of 65. They own or operate two million acres of farmland that will be at risk of being sold for development as farmers retire or exit the field. It’s critical to support these farmers in transitioning their land to a new generation of farmers.  

Policymakers in Albany are currently negotiating the state budget. Now is the moment to ensure that the strongest funding proposals included in the Legislature’s One‑House budgets are adopted in the enacted final budget.

Act NOW to urge your state representatives to include the following One-House funding levels and program language in the final FY 2026–27 state budget, so New York can protect farmland and ensure it remains accessible to farmers.

We are calling for the enacted budget to include:

• $30 million for the Farmland Protection Program, as included in both the Assembly and Senate One-House budgets, within an Environmental Protection Fund of at least $425 million
• $850,000 for Farmland for a New Generation New York (FNG-NY), as included in the Senate One-House budget (and building on the Assembly’s $700,000 proposal)

Take Action: With just one click, send a customized letter directly to your state representatives urging them to ensure these One-House funding levels and program provisions are included in the enacted final budget.

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