Photo by Rebecca Drobis for American Farmland Trust.
American Farmland Trust will host a three-part Water Conservation Webinar Series for small farms in New York state, addressing a changing climate where farmers face increasingly frequent drought and flooding events. The three webinars will be held online January 15, February 19, and March 19 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. EST.
This series will examine how climate trends are impacting New York farms, highlight agriculture’s role in water quality, and share practical strategies that farmers can implement to conserve water, increase resilience to extreme weather, and support improved water quality statewide.
Whether you are new to water conservation or already applying these practices, the webinars will provide valuable insights and opportunities to deepen your knowledge. Each webinar will dive into a different topic on water conservation, outlined below.
- January 15 – Navigating Water Challenges in a Changing Climate
Focus on current and projected climate risks—such as drought, flooding, and precipitation extremes—and their impacts on farm productivity, natural resources, and farmer well-being. Register for the webinar.
- February 19 – It Starts with the Soil: Soil Health Practices for Water Conservation
Explore practical, field-level practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and crop rotation to improve soil health, conserve water, and withstand extreme weather. Register for the webinar.
- March 19 – Integrating Water Conservation Strategies at the Farm Landscape Level
Explore practical, field-level practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, and crop rotation to improve soil health, conserve water, and withstand extreme weather. Register for the webinar.
“This past year proved to be challenging for farms across New York, with incessant spring rains delaying planting and flooding fields, followed by prolonged drought that strained crop production and forced difficult decisions, shares Caitlin Tucker, New York Agriculture Stewardship Manager at American Farmland Trust. “Resilient farm landscapes and soils that can handle excess water and endure periods of water stress are increasingly important as weather patterns continue to be erratic and extreme. AFT’s Agricultural Stewardship Program is excited to offer this webinar series, focused on conservation practices that farmers can implement in the field and across the farmscape to conserve water and safeguard water quality.”
Free registration for the Water Conservation for Small Farms Webinar Series is open to farmers, farmland owners, conservation professionals, ag consultants, and others interested in soil health. Please register online or contact Caitlin Tucker at ctucker@farmland.org or (315)-679-4772. For more information and resources, visit the New York Agricultural Stewardship webpage.
About American Farmland Trust: American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. AFT launched the conservation agriculture movement and continues to raise public awareness through our No Farms No Food® message. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families.