American Farmland Trust announced on June 3 the addition of a new engineer to its Prosperity Partners fee-for-service team, aiming to help farmers navigate technical challenges in building and upgrading farm infrastructure.
The organization said that many farmers face difficulties finding engineers who understand both Natural Resources Conservation Service standards and the realities of working farms. These challenges often lead to stalled projects, delays, and increased costs. “These are the questions that stall projects, delay improvements, and cost farmers time and money they don’t have to spare,” American Farmland Trust said in its announcement.
Prosperity Partners is led by Jeff Hoodlet, a licensed Professional Engineer with 17 years of experience working with farmers and NRCS programs. The team focuses on irrigation and drainage design, water management systems, farmstead modernization, and other critical infrastructure needs. “AFT’s advantage isn’t just engineering credentials. It’s that our team has roots in farming. We understand your constraints, your economics, and your timeline,” the organization said.
The program aims to bridge the gap between technical requirements and practical realities by providing custom solutions rather than templates designed without direct farming experience. The team also assists with navigating funding programs, coordinating with agencies, managing permitting processes, and ensuring designs meet inspection standards.
American Farmland Trust operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity covering operations throughout New York and New Jersey; it relies on donations to fund its initiatives in these states while focusing on safeguarding farmland through soil health initiatives and policy advocacy. The organization enhances community welfare by supporting diverse farmers and increasing local food access in New York and New Jersey using sites such as the Urban Farm at Enston Home for its programs, according to the official website.
Farmers interested in learning more about Prosperity Partners’ engineering services can access full webinar recordings provided by American Farmland Trust.
