Cover cropping, Irrigation system management and the promotion of pollinator habitat.

$29,450 was awarded to Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with a vegetable and maple operation to implement an irrigation water management system. The project will also include the establishment of pollinator habitat to increase beneficial insects that support the farm operation and add to biodiversity.

$154,663 was awarded to Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with a vegetable and fruit farm to implement an irrigation water management system to water 30 acres of fruit trees. The project will also incorporate an integrated pest management system and weather monitoring system to prevent pest and frost damage related to climate change.

$35,468 was awarded to Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with a fruit orchard on their irrigation water management system, installing a micro-irrigation drip system over 22 acres of high-density fruit trees. The system will directly apply water or fertilizer to the root zone and maintain soil moisture. A riparian buffer will be installed to promote biodiversity and pollinator habitat

$185,856 was awarded to the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District to implement 830 acres of cover crops on four farms for three years, resulting in 2,490 acres of cover cropping over the life of the project. Much of the project acreage borders directly on the Canandaigua Outlet, and cover cropping will increase the farms’ climate resiliency, greatly improve the soil health of the land, and elevate water quality in the surrounding watershed.