All Genesee County Farmland Owners Invited to Attend Farmland Protection Workshop
Genesee County farmers and farmland owners are invited to learn about the New York State Farmland Protection Implementation Grant (FPIG) program and the local pre-application process at an upcoming workshop hosted by the Genesee County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board, in partnership with Genesee Valley Conservancy, Western New York Land Conservancy, and Genesee Land Trust.
The FPIG program compensates farmers for protecting the state’s most productive farmland through permanent conservation easements. Participation is completely voluntary. Land remains in private ownership and may continue to be farmed, with permanent restrictions on commercial, residential, and industrial uses on the protected land.
Interested landowners must attend a workshop prior to submitting a pre-application. The Farmland Protection Workshop will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Genesee County Old Courthouse in the Legislature Chambers on the 3rd floor, 7 Main Street, Batavia, New York. Registration is strongly encouraged, but not required: https://SaveGenCoFarms.eventbrite.com.
The FPIG program, funded by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, reimburses farmers for up to 87.5%of the value of the development rights on eligible farmland. Three accredited land trusts serve Genesee County and are eligible to submit applications for this grant funding. All farmers wishing to apply must complete a pre-application with a participating land trust.
Pre-applications are evaluated by the land trusts based on factors such as development pressure, soil quality, and overall farm viability. The highest-scoring pre-applications will be invited to submit full applications to the state program. Pre-applications may also help eligible farms access other farmland protection opportunities.
For more information on the New York State Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program, visit:
https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/AP/agservices/farmprotect.html
This event is supported in part by funding from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Land Trust Grants Program (Round 5).
Genesee Land Trust is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to conserving land in Genesee County and beyond for agriculture, wildlife habitat, and natural resource protection. Working with private landowners and community partners, Genesee Land Trust helps ensure that productive farmland and open space remain protected for future generations. Learn more at www.geneseelandtrust.org.
Genesee Valley Conservancy is a nationally accredited non-profit conservation organization working to protect the habitat, open space and farmland in the Genesee River watershed. Over 39,000 acres of natural habitat and productive farm and forest land have been conserved by Genesee Valley Conservancy with private landowners. The organization also owns nature preserves open to the public year-round for recreation and education. For more information visit www.geneseevalleyconservancy.org
Western New York Land Conservancy is a regional, nonprofit land trust that has protected more than 8,000 acres of land with significant conservation value across Western New York. We envision a future in which forests, farms, meadows, and waterways are connected, cherished, and protected in Western New York. We are accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. To learn more about our mission and vision, and to read our land acknowledgement, visit wnylc.org.