Round 20 Farmland Protection Implementation Grants

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has announced the Round 20 cycle of the Farmland Protection Implementation Grants (FPIG) Program, specifically targeting Agricultural Conservation Easement Projects. The program, operating under Article 25-AAA of the Agriculture and Markets Law, provides financial support to preserve the viability of agricultural lands across the state. The Department has made $67 million available, including $3.35 million for contingency funding. Of this amount, $17 million is sourced from the Environmental Protection Fund and $50 million from the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. The funding is distributed regionally, with $6.365 million allocated per region. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and the RFA will remain open until all funds are committed. This funding initiative focuses on the acquisition of perpetual agricultural conservation easements on viable agricultural lands that are at risk of conversion to non-farm uses. Projects must align with county or municipal agricultural and farmland protection plans. Eligible applicants include county agricultural and farmland protection boards, municipalities with a local farmland protection plan, qualified not-for-profit conservation organizations, and soil and water conservation districts. All applicants must secure endorsements from both the relevant county board and, in some cases, municipal authorities. The program categorizes projects by operation type and regional needs, including Access to Farmland, Agroforestry, Climate Resiliency, Equine, Field Crops, Food Security, Livestock, Source Water Protection, Specialty Crops, Viable Agricultural Land – Other, and Vineyard projects. Each category has specific criteria, such as acreage minimums, active agricultural production percentages, and soil productivity thresholds. Funding may cover easement acquisition, transaction costs, incentive payments (for certain categories), and stewardship fees. Matching contributions are required, ranging from 12.5% to 75% of total project costs, depending on the structure of the application. Applications must be submitted through the New York Statewide Financial System (SFS). Faxed, mailed, or emailed submissions are not accepted. Not-for-profit applicants must be prequalified in the SFS system by the time of application submission. Two informational webinars are scheduled in January 2026 to guide applicants through the overview and categorical details of the RFA. Required components for applications include detailed site plans, appraisals, draft easements, and verification of Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) participation. The application process follows a milestone-driven disbursement system, with four payments triggered by the achievement of specific deliverables. Contracts are awarded continuously, beginning in mid-March 2026, and each project contract spans four years, with an expectation of project completion within two years from contract approval. Successful applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness based on pass/fail criteria tied to farm operation type, acreage, soil quality, and documentation. A contingency award process allows for supplemental funding in the event of cost overruns, up to 20% of the original project cost, provided the original matching ratio is maintained. For inquiries, applicants must contact David Behm at the Department of Agriculture and Markets. All official questions and answers will be posted publicly on the Department's funding page. The program underscores the Department’s commitment to strengthening the resilience, environmental integrity, and economic vitality of New York’s agricultural sector through permanent land protection.

Use the Department’s model easement to avoid rejection; secure endorsement letters early; do not rely on landowner-only match contributions.