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American Farmland Trust’s New York Farmland Access Fund: Feeding the Future

In support of the American Farmland Trust’s new initiative to empower a new generation of farmers, Upstate Curious is proud to announce our pledge to help raise $1,000,000 by 2028 for their new program: the New York Farmland Access Fund (NYFAF).

This new fund will be used to preserve up to 1,000 acres of farmland, which will then be made available at a significantly reduced agricultural market value to historically underserved farmers, including LGBTQ+, BIPOC, women, and veteran farmers. And, it'll also help provide technical assistance to bring that farmland to life.

Upstate Curious has promised at least 25% of our $1 million pledge but we need your help to reach the full goal with your tax-deductible contribution or help sharing the news!

Get New York Farmland Access Fund updates straight from the horse's mouth.

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Protecting the Future of Local Farms + Farmers

NYFAF will help historically underserved and beginning farmers access and purchase protected farmland. Then, the farmers will be supported by AFT's regional team to adopt and scale regenerative farming practices on their land. Our mission:
Acquisition

Acquisition

Purchase and provide equitable farmland access for 5 - 10 new farming operations.
Preservation

Preservation

Permanently protect 500 - 1,000 acres of irreplaceable farmland from development.
Conservation

Conservation

Help our farmers implement regenerative agricultural practices onto their land.

30%
of NY farmers are over age 65
2 million
acres of NY farmland are at risk
<5%
of all farms are BIPOC-owned or operated

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No Farms No Food®

Without farmland and farmers working on the land, we can't feed the future or win the fight against climate change.

Our food, our water, our environment, our community and its survival — it all depends on preserving and regenerating Hudson Valley agricultural land.

We need your help!

We all need to eat. Empowering a new generation of farmers and regenerative agriculture strengthens our local and regional food systems and sustains a resilient, climate-smart future for generations to follow. But we can't make it happen without your generous support. Any donations to the NYFAF are 100% tax deductible.

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A New Generation of Farmers

One third of New York’s farmers are 65+. These senior farmers own or operate two million acres of farmland vulnerable to being lost as it changes hands in the coming years.

Meanwhile, young and historically underserved farmers face major barriers: finding affordable farmland, accessing the tools to steward the land with regenerative and climate-smart practices, and launching successful businesses.

The NYFAF will nurture a new crop of diverse farmers and preserve farmland during this critical period of intergenerational transition.

Want to hear real farmer stories?

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Upstate Curious' Pledge

"After purchasing a former dairy farm in Accord myself last year, I participated in a workshop series with AFT and Glynwood for 'non-operating landowners.' I gained a new appreciation of the challenges farmers face in our area — and the multitude of risks we face as a society if we ignore the needs of the land or the people involved in producing our food. I saw that while leasing land is an important option, especially for new farms, it has serious drawbacks. When I heard about this new initiative, I was super excited to see how we could contribute.

Our whole team is behind this effort, which will include us making donations for each transaction of the real estate team, as well as helping to raise awareness and funds for the initiative. We couldn't be more excited to partner with AFT on this!"

—Megan Brenn-White, founder of Upstate Curious

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. American Farmland Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, all gifts made are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed.

Regenerative agriculture is a holistic systems approach to farming and the food system that results in improved ecological, social, and economic conditions, including: producing abundant, healthy food; enhancing soil health and soil biological life; supporting functioning ecosystems where wildlife thrives; supporting thriving rural communities; creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds, but, particularly black, indigenous, and people of color.

Learn More

The New York Farmland Access Fund will facilitate projects across New York state to purchase, permanently protect, and transition farmland at affordable prices to a new generation of farmers, including beginning farmers, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, women, veteran, and limited resource farmers, while promoting widespread adoption of regenerative farming practices. The first project will take place in the Hudson Valley.

The New York Farmland Access Fund was spearheaded with early support from two visionary lead donors, Andrea and Guillaume Cuvelier, buoyed by several major gifts from generous individuals and a $1,000,000 pledge from Upstate Curious, which has elevated the fund to the initial $2.5 million goal needed to launch the project. However, that's only the beginning.

 Upstate Curious is the parent company of:

— The Upstate Curious Team, the top Hudson Valley/Catskills area real estate team that's pioneering the art and science of real estate in a human, yet digitally native way.

— The Upstate Curious App, the place to turn for friendly advice, connection, and knowledge-sharing from fellow upstaters and NYC transplants.

American Farmland Trust is 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1980 to save America’s farms and ranches. They created the conservation agriculture movement, which speaks for the land and for the people who grow our food. As the movement’s leaders, they have three priorities: protecting agricultural land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices, and keeping farmers on the land.

AFT is the only national agricultural organization that approaches its work in this comprehensive, holistic manner. They recognize the connection between the land, forward-looking farming practices, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. They also recognize the power of combining on-the-ground projects with objective research and effective advocacy.

Learn more at farmland.org.

American Farmland Trust, its farmland logos, and No Farms No Food® are trademarks of American Farmland Trust.

A partner with the farmland trust, Iridescent Earth Collective is a QT, Black and Latinx-led farm collective from the Bronx, as well as co-founders and anchor lessees of the Great Northern Catskills Agrarian Commons. With a diverse background in community organizing, urban farming, education, and the arts, they are committed to strengthening the pathway into agriculture for people belonging to the communities we are a part of. They prioritize the well-being of farmers, the land they steward, our communities and all living beings.

They grow and distribute high-quality, fresh produce to our community in collaboration with other Catskills-based small farms and our Bronx mutual aid partners.

They are committed to intentional resource and skill sharing, and hold space for queer and trans NY-based farmers of color through their journey in mutual aid work.

New York Farmland Access Fund Launch Webinar

New York Farmland Access Fund Launch Webinar

Hear from Megan Brenn-White (Founder + CEO, Upstate Curious) and Tim Biello (NY Program Specialist, AFT). Learn more about our $1M pledge and how you can help make an impact.