Purpose

The purpose of the Farmland Protection Program is to fund local initiatives that are intended to maintain the economic viability of the State’s agricultural industry. This is accomplished by funding the purchase of the development rights of farms.  Additionally the program provides financial and technical assistance to assist counties and municipalities in developing agricultural and farmland protection plans and to assist in the implementation of such plans.  Funding varies significantly according to project dimensions.
 
For the County Farmland Protection Planning Grants:  State assistance payments are available for counties to cover up to 50 percent of the costs to develop agricultural and farmland protection plans.  Several grants of up to $50,000 each are awarded on a rolling basis each year to counties that formally apply.
 
For the Municipal Farmland Protection Planning Grants:  State assistance payments are available for municipalities to cover up to 50 percent of the costs to develop agricultural and farmland protection plans.  Several grants of up to $25,000 each are awarded on a rolling basis each year to counties that formally apply.

For the Purchase of Development Rights Grants:  State assistance payments are available to counties or municipalities to cover up to 75% of the total costs for implementation activities to protect viable farmland. 

Eligibility   

County agricultural and farmland protection boards in counties with an approved county plan, or any municipality which has in place a local farmland protection plan. 

Contact       

David Behm
Division of Agricultural Protection and Development Services
NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets
10B Airline Drive
Albany, New York 12235
(518) 457-2713