The Farmland Protection Reserve Fund (FPRF) provides competitive grant funding to agricultural producers and landowners in Montgomery County. The program supports projects that strengthen farm viability, improve environmental outcomes, and protect working farmland.
All applications must be submitted by the deadline. Incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted.
All applications must be submitted by the deadline. Incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted.
2026 Funding Round
DOWNLOAD RFA
Download Application MaterialsReview the full Request for Applications (RFA) before beginning your application. The RFA includes eligibility requirements, scoring criteria, and required forms.
You should download and review these documents in full before applying.
Q&A SESSION
Submit questions to:
[email protected]
[email protected]
2026 Awards
Funding to Strengthen Local Farms and Protect Working Land
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Montgomery County, NY — July 23, 2026 — The Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) has awarded eleven local farms with Farmland Protection Reserve funding to support improved stewardship, enhance operational resilience, and promote long‑term agricultural viability across the county.
In October, the Montgomery County Legislature approved $250,000 to reestablish the Farmland Protection Reserve Fund, marking the program’s first year of operation. |
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Agriculture remains one of Montgomery County’s most vital economic sectors, contributing $446.5 million in total commodity sales, supporting more than 2,000 local jobs, and generating $127.8 million in annual labor income, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. This investment reflects the County’s continued commitment to protecting farmland, supporting farm families, and preserving the rural character that defines the community.
“I am so pleased with the overwhelming response for the Farmland Protection Reserve funding,” said Montgomery County Executive Pete Vroman. “Agriculture is the foundation of Montgomery County, and we strive to help our farmers succeed. I’m confident that the projects selected will support long‑term agricultural viability. I’m grateful for the collaboration with the County Legislature and the Soil and Water Conservation District to reestablish this program.”
The awarded projects will advance soil health, improve water quality, enhance animal welfare, and support overall farm efficiency. With 522 farms stewarding more than 113,000 acres of agricultural land, Montgomery County’s producers play a crucial role in regional food security, local business vitality, and sustaining the economic flow within the community.
“The agricultural community is deeply rooted in Montgomery County. I applaud the Legislature and the Executive for funding this program, which directly supports our local farmers—the true backbone of our county’s economy and tax base.” Said Chairman of the Ag and Farmland Protection Board, Martin Kelly
The 11 funded proposals include a diverse range of improvements such as drainage and tiling upgrades, livestock infrastructure rehabilitation, laneway enhancements, expanded hay and product storage, efficiency upgrades, and modernized retail facilities. Each application underwent a competitive evaluation process, with funding awarded to the highest‑scoring projects.
“I look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition. The purpose of this program is about giving our farmers the opportunity to continue doing what they do best and I’m confident this funding will help them succeed,” Legislative Chairman Michael Pepe said. “By protecting valuable farmland, we’re helping ensure these operations remain vibrant, productive, and positioned for future growth while preserving an important part of Montgomery County’s heritage.”
By investing in working lands, Montgomery County strengthens not only its agricultural economy but also the jobs, traditions, and landscapes that make the region unique.
“I am so pleased with the overwhelming response for the Farmland Protection Reserve funding,” said Montgomery County Executive Pete Vroman. “Agriculture is the foundation of Montgomery County, and we strive to help our farmers succeed. I’m confident that the projects selected will support long‑term agricultural viability. I’m grateful for the collaboration with the County Legislature and the Soil and Water Conservation District to reestablish this program.”
The awarded projects will advance soil health, improve water quality, enhance animal welfare, and support overall farm efficiency. With 522 farms stewarding more than 113,000 acres of agricultural land, Montgomery County’s producers play a crucial role in regional food security, local business vitality, and sustaining the economic flow within the community.
“The agricultural community is deeply rooted in Montgomery County. I applaud the Legislature and the Executive for funding this program, which directly supports our local farmers—the true backbone of our county’s economy and tax base.” Said Chairman of the Ag and Farmland Protection Board, Martin Kelly
The 11 funded proposals include a diverse range of improvements such as drainage and tiling upgrades, livestock infrastructure rehabilitation, laneway enhancements, expanded hay and product storage, efficiency upgrades, and modernized retail facilities. Each application underwent a competitive evaluation process, with funding awarded to the highest‑scoring projects.
“I look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition. The purpose of this program is about giving our farmers the opportunity to continue doing what they do best and I’m confident this funding will help them succeed,” Legislative Chairman Michael Pepe said. “By protecting valuable farmland, we’re helping ensure these operations remain vibrant, productive, and positioned for future growth while preserving an important part of Montgomery County’s heritage.”
By investing in working lands, Montgomery County strengthens not only its agricultural economy but also the jobs, traditions, and landscapes that make the region unique.
Awarded Projects
Hay Farm, Town of Florida, $30,000 – Tile Drainage Installation
Installation of subsurface pattern tile on approximately 31 acres to improve drainage, enhance soil health, increase crop resiliency, and support long‑term conservation management.
Crop Farm, Town of Mohawk, $30,000 – Efficiency Upgrades
Water, electrical, and drainage system improvements designed to strengthen overall farm efficiency, support high‑tunnel production, and promote sustainable field management.
Dairy Farm, Town of Mohawk, $30,000 – Freestall Barn Stall Rehabilitation
Replacement of freestall barn stalls to improve cow comfort and welfare, supporting healthier livestock and more sustainable, efficient dairy production.
Dairy Farm, Town of Palatine, $27,718 – Dairy Infrastructure & Conservation Improvements
Modernization of livestock infrastructure paired with targeted conservation enhancements to improve animal welfare, increase operational efficiency, and advance environmental sustainability.
Maple Farm, Town of Mohawk, $20,000 – Reverse Osmosis Efficiency Upgrade
Acquisition of an energy‑efficient reverse osmosis system to reduce resource use, improve maple processing efficiency, and support sustainable expansion of syrup production.
Dairy Farm, Town of Florida, $28,782 – Laneway Improvements
Repairs to grazing laneways and water systems to promote better livestock movement, strengthen pasture management, and improve overall grazing efficiency and soil conservation outcomes.
Dairy Farm, Town of Florida, $16,500 – Drainage & Hedgerow Removal
Strategic drainage improvements and selective hedgerow removal to expand usable acreage, improve field access, and increase forage production while supporting long‑term land stewardship.
Beef Farm, Town of Canajoharie, $16,500 – Installation of Agricultural Drainage Tile
Tiling of 22 acres to improve water management, increase productivity by up to 30%, and convert underutilized pasture into healthy, viable crop acreage.
Crop Farm, Town of Florida, $1,500 – Farm Store & Marketing Improvements
Enhancements to farm store infrastructure, product storage, customer access, and point‑of‑sale systems to strengthen direct‑to‑consumer sales and support long‑term farm viability.
Hay Farm, Town of Mohawk, $30,000 – Expansion of Hay Storage
Construction of a addition to storage facility, increasing protected forage inventory, reducing weather‑related losses, supporting efficient handling, and improving overall farm resiliency.
Hay Farm, Town of Palatine, $19,000 – Equipment Upgrades
Upgraded field equipment to improve land management, expand usable acreage, enhance hay production, and increase operational efficiency in support of sustainable farming practices.
Installation of subsurface pattern tile on approximately 31 acres to improve drainage, enhance soil health, increase crop resiliency, and support long‑term conservation management.
Crop Farm, Town of Mohawk, $30,000 – Efficiency Upgrades
Water, electrical, and drainage system improvements designed to strengthen overall farm efficiency, support high‑tunnel production, and promote sustainable field management.
Dairy Farm, Town of Mohawk, $30,000 – Freestall Barn Stall Rehabilitation
Replacement of freestall barn stalls to improve cow comfort and welfare, supporting healthier livestock and more sustainable, efficient dairy production.
Dairy Farm, Town of Palatine, $27,718 – Dairy Infrastructure & Conservation Improvements
Modernization of livestock infrastructure paired with targeted conservation enhancements to improve animal welfare, increase operational efficiency, and advance environmental sustainability.
Maple Farm, Town of Mohawk, $20,000 – Reverse Osmosis Efficiency Upgrade
Acquisition of an energy‑efficient reverse osmosis system to reduce resource use, improve maple processing efficiency, and support sustainable expansion of syrup production.
Dairy Farm, Town of Florida, $28,782 – Laneway Improvements
Repairs to grazing laneways and water systems to promote better livestock movement, strengthen pasture management, and improve overall grazing efficiency and soil conservation outcomes.
Dairy Farm, Town of Florida, $16,500 – Drainage & Hedgerow Removal
Strategic drainage improvements and selective hedgerow removal to expand usable acreage, improve field access, and increase forage production while supporting long‑term land stewardship.
Beef Farm, Town of Canajoharie, $16,500 – Installation of Agricultural Drainage Tile
Tiling of 22 acres to improve water management, increase productivity by up to 30%, and convert underutilized pasture into healthy, viable crop acreage.
Crop Farm, Town of Florida, $1,500 – Farm Store & Marketing Improvements
Enhancements to farm store infrastructure, product storage, customer access, and point‑of‑sale systems to strengthen direct‑to‑consumer sales and support long‑term farm viability.
Hay Farm, Town of Mohawk, $30,000 – Expansion of Hay Storage
Construction of a addition to storage facility, increasing protected forage inventory, reducing weather‑related losses, supporting efficient handling, and improving overall farm resiliency.
Hay Farm, Town of Palatine, $19,000 – Equipment Upgrades
Upgraded field equipment to improve land management, expand usable acreage, enhance hay production, and increase operational efficiency in support of sustainable farming practices.
COntact
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Mail
Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District Attn: Farmland Protection Reserve Fund 4001 State Highway 5S Fultonville, NY 12072 |
Victoria Bray
Ag Economic Development Specialist Montgomery County SWCD E: [email protected] P: 518-853-4031 |
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Contact UsAddress:
4001 State Highway 5s Fultonville, NY 12072 Phone: (518)853-7016 Fax: 1-855-401-1958 |
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Hours:
Mon. - Fri. : 8 AM to 4:30 PM |
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