The Daily Freeman reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Dec. 27 $35 million to help protect 13,000 acres of farmland at 40 farms in 19 counties statewide, including two local projects with the Columbia Land Conservancy. The state Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program helps local governments, soil and water conservation districts, and land trusts offset the costs of conservation easements. The Columbia Land Conservancy gets $507,221 to permanently protect a 205-acre organic beef operation owned by the Grimaldi family. The Columbia Land Conservancy also gets $478,551 for 117 acres, owned by the Saulpaugh, Myers, and Kukon families. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.