Farmland Conservation Partners

We work with towns in Connecticut to clarify the importance of farmland conservation as part of their economic base, quality of life, cultural identity, and commitment to working farms and forests.

We can provide language to assist with local planning. In addition, we can help assemble a coalition of people concerned about farmland and invite towns to contribute funding to help purchase easements to protect farms.

There are 120+ land trusts in Connecticut that focus on different types of conservation work. Some want to conserve farmland, and we are here to assist them when discussing conservation easements to ensure they are farmer-friendly.

We also provide information about farmland conservation strategies, funding, and related documents. You can find out more about land trusts on the Connecticut Land Conservation Council website »

As part of our focus on ensuring that farmland is affordable for the next generation, we are available to partner with Community Land Trusts. These organizations are different from Land Trusts (which focus on land protection), although they often have some overlap.

Community Land Trusts tend to use tools that ensure that the land remains affordable for generations — an increasingly important strategy given Connecticut’s sky rocketing land prices. This approach often allows farmers to purchase land at the agricultural value, rather than the speculative development value.

We are part of a state-wide coalition called the Working Lands Alliance (WLA) to provide a statewide voice for farmland preservation efforts in Connecticut. The Alliance includes farmers, conservation and anti-hunger organizations, land trusts, local food advocates, and many others working together to protect Connecticut’s most precious resource — its farmland.

American Farmland Trust coordinates the Working Lands Alliance. You can learn more about WLA on their website »

The Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) is the statewide voice for land conservation, working to strengthen and connect land trusts, landowners, and conservation partners across the state.

Connecticut Farmland Trust works closely with CLCC to advance shared goals of preserving the state’s working lands. Through this partnership, we benefit from CLCC’s policy leadership, educational programs, and statewide network, while contributing expertise on farmland protection.

Together, we help ensure that Connecticut’s agricultural landscapes remain productive, healthy, viable, and protected. You can learn more about CLCC on their website »

Connecticut Farmland Trust works closely with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (DoAg) to keep farmland in production and in the hands of farmers. Together, we collaborate on the Farmland Preservation Program, often co-holding agricultural conservation easements to ensure permanent protection of working farms.

We have also managed Connecticut FarmLink, connecting farm seekers with available farmland, and partners with DoAg to provide outreach, technical assistance, and planning support to landowners. This shared work leverages state programs and local relationships, helping more farms remain productive and available for the next generation.

Connecticut Farmland Trust partners with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to secure federal funding available for farmland protection through programs such as the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program — Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE). NRCS helps CFT leverage these funds alongside state and local resources to permanently protect high-quality farmland.

In addition, CFT works with NRCS to connect farmers with technical assistance—such as soil health practices, water management, and conservation planning — that supports long-term farm viability and environmental stewardship.