David Haight

David supports AFT’s six regional programs and leads AFT’s New York office. He has helped educate farmers, build the capacity of land trusts, and expand public funding for farmland conservation that has contributed to the permanent protection of nearly 100,000 acres of farmland across New York.  He is the co-author of “Planning for Agriculture in New York: A Toolkit for Town and County Governments” and worked with more than 20 local governments in developing and implementing farmland protection plans. David has also overseen major initiatives to help farmers protect healthy soil and clean water on Long Island and Lake Ontario, scaled-up sales of local food to institutions in New York, and helped a new generation of farmers find land in New York’s Hudson Valley and across the state. Before joining AFT, he worked for Vermont Land Trust and as an outdoor educator in New York’s Catskill Mountains.  David and his family own Balet Flowers & Design, a farm which has produced high-quality plants and flowers since 1995. David earned a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies and political science from Binghamton  

University and a Master of Science in natural resources planning from the University of Vermont. He also graduated from New York's LEAD program.  

David has served as Vice President for Programs since 2018, working to elevate the impact of AFT’s regional programs that operate in approximately 25 states. He also supports the growth of national programs to support farm viability including the launch of AFT’s Brighter Future Fund and Smart Solar Program. He previously served as the New York Regional Director where he helped educate farmers, build the capacity of land trusts, and expand public funding that permanently protected 100,000 acres of farmland. David also oversaw major initiatives to help farmers protect healthy soil and clean water in the Long Island Sound and Great Lakes watersheds, scaled-up sales of local food to schools and institutions, and helped a new generation of farmers find land in New York’s Hudson Valley and across the state.

David’s wife, Suzanne, owns Balet Flowers & Design, a farm which produces high quality plants and flowers in the Saratoga region of New York. David earned a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies and political science from Binghamton University and a Master of Science in natural resources planning from the University of Vermont. He also graduated from LEAD New York program.