By Olivia Fuller
American Farmland Trust (AFT) commends Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2026 State of the State for recognizing the critical role of agriculture in feeding New York’s families, strengthening rural economies, and advancing climate-smart solutions. The Governor’s proposals align with many of AFT’s priorities for protecting farmland, supporting farm families, and modernizing food systems—but urgent action is needed to ensure these make a lasting impact.
Gov. Hochul’s priorities list a $425 million commitment to the Environmental Protection Fund, which includes critical funding for farmland protection, as well as increased food security through additional funding for food banks, investments in childcare for farm families, expanded support for dairy farmers, and a $30 million Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program to offset rising costs and market disruptions. The Sun and Soil Agrivoltaics Program is also proposed to integrate solar energy with active farming—a critical step toward climate resilience and farm viability.
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