PFC is seeking landowners and supporters to help farmers in their land access journeys. If you are a landowner and interested in helping or learning more, please fill out the survey below!
Ideal farmland is:
- “Prime agricultural,” meaning land with good drainage, a mostly flat profile, and conditions ideal for growing vegetables
- 2 acres or more of open farmland for production
- Within 1 hour of Buffalo
- Access to irrigation water (creek, pond, well…)
- Access to infrastructure (barn, house, electricity..) is a bonus!
Access to land is the #1 challenge facing beginning farmers.
Providence Farm Collective (PFC) is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering just and equitable access to food and farmland. On its 37-acre farm in Orchard Park, NY, PFC provides land, education, and agricultural resources to underserved communities. In 2026, 8 community farms and 20 incubator farm businesses operated there, many aiming to secure their own land. However, the biggest hurdle for new-entry farmers is affordable land, especially as Erie County has lost 40% of its farmland to development since 1970.
“I learned from my parents,” Ndanga says. “Their money came from farming, and when I came to the United States, I wanted to use those skills to grow healthy and delicious food.” At PFC, growers like Ndanga get access to land, training, and market connections so their skills become sustainable livelihoods—and our Western New York community gets fresh, culturally important produce.
After thriving in Providence Farm Collective’s Incubator Farm Program, farmers Ndanga, Adamu, and Therence are teaming up to take the next bold step: launching on their own leased land! Together, these agricultural entrepreneurs are growing culturally meaningful foods, supporting their families, and showing what’s possible when new entry farmers have access to farmland, education, networks and resources.
Additional Resources:
Farmland for a New Generation New York offers a statewide Resource Center with expert advisers and a website featuring training materials and listings of farmers in search of land as well as land available for farming. Farmland for a New Generation New York also supports a network of Regional Navigators, or partner organizations with dedicated staff, that provides training and on-the-ground customized support for farmers and landowners in regions across New York. Learn more at www.nyfarmlandfinder.org
Western New York Land Conservancy is a local nonprofit organization with a mission to permanently protect land with significant conservation value in Western New York, for the benefit of future generations. https://www.wnylc.org/
