Peconic Land Trust Awarded Farmland for the New Generation Regional Navigator Grant
July 10, 2026
By Jackie Wilson
Farmland for a New Generation New York (FNG-NY) is a program coordinated by the American Farmland Trust with support from New York State to help address one of agriculture's greatest challenges: ensuring the next generation of farmers has access to affordable farmland. As many New York farmers near retirement, an estimated 2 million acres of farmland could be lost to development without successful farmland transition and succession planning.
Launched in 2018, FNG-NY connects farmers seeking land with landowners who want to keep their land in agricultural production. The program includes a statewide Resource Center, a farmland-linking website, and a network of Regional Navigators who provide local expertise and support to farmers and landowners across New York. More information about the program can be found at www.NYFarmlandFinder.org. The Peconic Land Trust has been a Regional Navigator in the program since its inception.
FNG-NY Regional Navigators provide personalized support to help farmers and landowners keep farmland in agriculture. They assist beginning and established farmers in finding farmland, help retiring farmers and landowners plan for successful farm transfers, connect participants with trusted legal, financial, and agricultural professionals, facilitate matches between landowners and prospective farmers, and offer educational resources on leasing, succession planning, estate planning, conservation easements, and farmland affordability.
Serving as an FNG-NY Regional Navigator builds on the Peconic Land Trusts expertise in connecting farmers with landowners, technical assistance, and resources, while providing guidance, workshops, and networking opportunities. This role reinforces the Trust’s strategic priorities, farmland access, farmer support, sustainable practices, and community partnerships. By leveraging our expertise, partnerships, and hands-on programs, the Trust helps ensure farmland remains productive, resilient, and affordable, sustaining Long Island’s agricultural economy, heritage, and environmental stewardship for generations to come.
The Peconic Land Trust recently received an FNG-NY Regional Navigator Grant Award that will support one-on-one technical assistance for beginning farmers, guidance for farmers and landowners on farm leases, lease rates, financing, and conservation easements, and workshops that strengthen farmland access across the region. The Trust will also expand resources for historically and currently underrepresented farmers, including non-English-speaking communities, by reducing language barriers and increasing access to educational materials, in-person and virtual trainings, and professional development opportunities.
By strengthening connections between farmers, landowners, and agricultural resources, this grant will help ensure that Long Island's farmland remains productive, accessible, and resilient for generations to come.
Jackie Wilson
Senior Manager, Agricultural Programs
jwilson@peconiclandtrust.org