Farmland Protection Implementation Grants - Conservation Easement Projects

Farmland Protection Implementation Grants - Conservation Easement Projects

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
Amount: Up to US $2,000,000
Last Updated: January 30, 2024

Summary

The Farmland Protection Implementation Grants - Conservation Easement Projects provide financial assistance for local initiatives aimed at preserving the economic viability of New York's agricultural sector. This funding supports the acquisition of perpetual conservation easements on agricultural land, addressing vulnerabilities such as trade disputes, increasing debt, changing consumer preferences, and climate change. The program emphasizes alignment with local agricultural and farmland protection plans to ensure effective implementation.

Overview

NOTE: Any applicant intending to submit an application for the first time for a proposed farmland protection implementation project is urged to contact the Department regarding the applicant’s eligibility prior to submitting its application. Background The Department is pleased to announce the availability of funds for the Round 18 Farmland Protection Implementation Grants (FPIG) Program – Conservation Easement Projects. Applications for funding must conform to the format provided in the Grants Gateway. The intent of this RFA is to fund the implementation of certain farmland protection activities intended to maintain the economic viability of the State’s agricultural industry and its supporting land base and to protect the environmental and landscape preservation values associated with agriculture. Such activities must be described in or otherwise consistent with agricultural and farmland protection plans that have been adopted by counties or municipalities. Article 25-AAA of the Agriculture and Markets Law authorizes the Commissioner to maintain a State agricultural and farmland protection program to provide financial and technical assistance, within funds available, to assist locally-led efforts in developing agricultural and farmland protection plans and in the implementation of such plans. Purpose The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide State financial assistance for local initiatives that are intended to maintain the economic viability of the State’s agricultural industry and its supporting land base and to protect the environmental and landscape preservation values associated with agriculture. This grant opportunity will enable the acquisition of perpetual conservation easements on viable agricultural land that is associated with certain types of Farm Operations believed to be particularly vulnerable to one or more of the following negative influences: trade disputes;increasing debt;changing consumer preferences; andclimate change.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website.