We’re Rooting for you Mark! – Finalist for AEM-Leopold Conservation Award!

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The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets announced the three finalists have been selected for New York’s AEM-Leopold Conservation Award!

Dygert Farms Creamery (Montgomery County, NY), Humbert Farms (Wayne County), and Tongore Farm, Olivebridge, NY. (Ulster County)

All three family operations that demonstrate exemplary commitment to agriculture conservation. Their dedication and leadership implementing conservation practices not only help provide economic and environmental benefits to their farm but also to the communities in which they farm, protecting the valuable land and water resources of New York State.

Congratulations to these finalists for what is already a tremendous accolade, and look forward to continuing our celebrations when we we join with the Sand County Foundation to award the AEM-Leopold Conservation Award later this year!

We’re rooting for you Mark Humbert!

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Blind Sodus Bay Erosion Control

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We’re Hiring!

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Mechanically harvesting aquatic plants on the Wayne County’s bays to Lake Ontario. Position provides opportunities to learn about local water quality issues and invasive species. The hours of operation occur Monday thru Thursday. Duties will include assisting in routine maintenance and periodic cleaning of the workspace and equipment. Hourly wage starts at $17.00 and has increased incentives with CDL endorsement. The District offers paid holidays to part-time employees and also offers opportunities to join or contribute to NYSLR pension program.

 

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Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program

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$28.5M will be provided through the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program and the Agricultural Non-Point Source Abatement and Control Program

Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program helps farms reduce their operational impact on the environment and address the impacts of extreme weather events resulting from climate change. This is Round 7. The program offers $15 million and up from $8 million in the last round of the program. The program is designed to help farmers implement agricultural projects and make related equipment purchases that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and support soil health and improved water quality. Projects will also help agricultural producers prepare for and better manage impacts of climate change, including increased heavy storm events, overall rainfall, and periods of drought.

According to NYS Ag and Markets, this year’s program emphasizes precision feed management and agroforestry, two best management practices that are identified in the New York State Climate Action Council’s Scoping Plan as critical to helping increase carbon sequestration and reduce greenhouse gases on farm.

The Climate Resilient Farming Grant program eligibility has also been expanded by updating the definition of a farm operation to include urban agriculture and non-traditional operations. Urban agriculture is an increasingly important focus area for the Department as it continues its work to grow a more resilient food supply system. In addition, new and beginning farmers are being prioritized for this funding opportunity.

For more information, and to see if you qualify contact Ian or Ron at 315-946-7200

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Wayne County Ag Plan Seeking Comments

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Pond Stocking

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2023 Wayne County Envirothon

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Are you ready? The 2023 Wayne County Envirothon will be held at the Montezuma Audubon Center on  Thursday April 27th. Envirothon is an annual competition in which teams compete by demonstrating their knowledge of environmental science and natural resource management. Teams, each consisting of five students from schools, home study groups and environmental clubs, exercise their training and problem-solving skills in a competition centered on five testing categories: Soils/Land Use, Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, and Current Environmental Issues.

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The New York State Hemlock Initiative

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The New York State Hemlock Initiative represents the efforts of scientists, natural resources professionals, and New York residents united in their love for hemlock trees and dedication to hemlock conservation.

In the past three months, volunteers have recorded a flurry of new observations of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) across our region. In 2023, volunteers have recorded 28 confirmed observations of HWA, and 18 non-detections of HWA, for a total of 46 observations. Some of these observations were made in under-surveyed locations as well, such as Broome, Madison, and Chenango counties. These observations have made measurable impact on our understanding of HWA in the Finger Lakes. With this additional data, land managers in our region can better prioritize resources towards those new infestations, knowing they have time to get to the eastern counties. But what land managers are we talking about

Read more here https://blogs.cornell.edu/nyshemlockinitiative/biocontrol-program/hwa-research/

 

Also,  please save the date for FL-Prism Spring Webinar Series sessions:
April 20th – Christine Chin, Professor of Art and Architecture at Hobart and William Smith Colleges – Concerning Climate: Art About Climate
May 18th – Evan Abramson, Founder and Principal of Landscape Interactions – Native Pollinator-Plant Interactions: Designing Landscapes + Corridors to Support Regional Biodiversity

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March is Ag Month

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Every March we celebrate spring and agriculture in New York State! Over the next few weeks we’ll focus on different agriculture practices and BMPs. Agriculture is part of our history, heritage, and values, and continues as an important part of our
culture and rural economy. Ag month is a the perfect opportunity for all of us to better appreciate agriculture’s breadth and beauty!

Pictured above, Steve Olson, of Hidden Canyon Farm, Steve and Susan Olson own and operate a 40 cow/calf beef farm, specializing in high quality meat production located in Lyons, NY

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Free Seedlings Available to Qualified Landowners

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Photo Courtesy NYS DEC

NYSDEC recently announced that the application period for the ‘Trees for Tribs’ “Buffer in a Bag” Program is now open. Qualifying private and public landowners may apply for a free bag of 25 tree and shrub seedlings for planting near streams, rivers, or lakes to help stabilize banks, protect water quality, and improve wildlife habitat.

DEC’s Trees for Tribs Buffer in a Bag program provides free tree and shrub seedlings for organizations and private landowners to create or improve stream buffers on their property. The seedlings are available to qualified landowners for streamside plantings under DEC Buffer in a Bag Program Learn more at https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/77710.html#Bag

Riparian buffers are strips of vegetation (trees, shrubs or grass) planted next to streams or other waterbodies. By planting vegetation along streams, space is created between the water and upland land uses, which helps protect the water quality and stream habitat. To qualify, landowners must have property in New York State with at least 50 feet bordering a stream, river, or lake, and provide photos or a map of the planting location.

Previous recipients are encouraged to reapply to continue to build riparian buffers. Applicants are eligible for one bag of 25 seedlings and recipients are chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of 350 bags will be available statewide for this round of applications. The 2023 Buffer in a Bag program, application requirements, and the April 7 deadline.  Applications are due by 3 p.m.

These mighty waterside plants start out small, but their impacts are huge:

🌱 They help reduce pollution from entering waterways
🌱 They absorb rain during storms, which slows flooding
🌱 Their roots hold soil in place, which prevents erosion
🌱 The provide wildlife habitat both on land and in the water
🌱 They provide shade, which cools water temperatures and protects native fish
🌱 They absorb and store carbon dioxide, which helps combat climate change

Contact treesfortribs@dec.ny.gov with questions and visit DEC’s Trees for Tribs webpage to learn more.

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