2016 marks the 20th anniversary of the State of New York investing funds through the Farmland Protection Program to permanently protect farmland. This report summarizes accomplishments of the last 20 years in protecting scenic farmland from Long Island to Buffalo.

The Cultivate New York report also highlights the importance of farmland conservation to New York’s ability to produce healthy, local food and sustain a strong farm and food economy, while documenting two new threats to farmland in addition to real estate development – transition to a new generation of farmers and climate change.  Finally the report makes 14 recommendations for action organized around 4 major goals including:

• Allocating $300 Million Over the Next 10 Years to Protect 100,000 Acres of Farmland
• Consistently Completing State-Funded Farmland Protection Projects in Less than 2 Years
• Aiding 5,000 New and Next Generation Farmers in Finding Land
• Developing a Statewide Foodshed Protection Plan and Supporting State Policies