Program Will Help Large Livestock Farmers Meet New Environmental Requirements

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that $50 million in grant funding is available, over three consecutive application rounds, to help New York livestock farms implement water quality protection projects. The funding is a part of the Governor’s historic $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, which invests unprecedented resources for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and other water quality protection across the state, including funds to ensure proper management and storage of nutrients such as manure on farms.

“By providing New York’s farmers with the resources they need to be successful, we are supporting New York’s economy and growing jobs while taking steps to protect the state’s vibrant natural resources,” said Governor Cuomo. “This funding is critical to ensuring New York’s water is preserved and protected while helping farmers across the state to meet environmental standards to secure a cleaner and healthier tomorrow for all.”

County Soil and Water Conservation Districts can apply for the CAFO Waste Storage and Transfer System Program on behalf of eligible farmers. The maximum award amount per proposal is $385,000, which includes funding for engineering and construction expenses. Grants will help Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation-permitted farms offset the cost of water quality protection projects, such as manure storage construction, site preparation and associated best management practices.

New York State has more than 500 CAFO farms, most of which are dairy farms with 300 or more cows. CAFOs can also include associated livestock operations such as beef, poultry and equine farms. Projects funded will also help farmers meet the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s new environmental requirements first announced in January.

Be a part of the world’s largest coastal clean up!

Each year as part of the Ocean Conservancy effort, groups organize to pick up beach trash and report the findings.

September 16th Sodus Point Beach

9:00 A.M – NOON

Refreshments will be served.

Thank you to our partners & sponsors

SOS Save Our Sodus,NASP Neighborhood Association of Sodus Point and FLLOWPA.

SEE YOU ON SATURDAY!

Agriculture Environmental Steward of 2017

Congratulations to Wayne County Agricultural Economic Development Specialist and Retired Farmer Ora Rothfuss from North Rose the recipient of the 2017 Wayne County Agriculture Environmental Stewardship award Awarding stewardship effort from across the agriculture communities.

Ora has supported agriculture through his personal and professional work, serving as a land steward caring for his family farm in Macedon and after retiring from farming working with the community to promote agriculture business by advising and offering outreach to the community. He has been an active participant in the Wayne County Farm Bureau and Wayne County Water Quality Committee, has acted as a liaison for Right to Farm Laws, assisted the Water Quality Coordinating Committee for over ten years and implemented a merger between the Wayne County Ag Advisory Committee and Ag Economic Development Board.

Ora continues to work to improve their Agricultural District Program—bringing in new and innovative ways of utilizing low-interest loan programs for Ag industry development and for the betterment of the local farming

Over the past several years, the District has awarded an Agricultural Environmental Stewardship award to a member of the agricultural support community that goes above and beyond to continue to provide services and manage environmental issues, aid in dealing with the difficult years and lend a hand to other farms, and strengthen the Agricultural community.