$19 Million Will be Provided through the State’s Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program and the Agricultural Non-Point Source Abatement and Control Program, applications Due March 2 and April 13
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced two grant opportunities totaling $19 million for projects that will help New York’s farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy savings, mitigate water and soil quality concerns, and increase on-farm resiliency to climate change.
Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program
A total of $15 million is available to support agricultural water quality conservation projects across the State through Round 26 of the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program.
The Agricultural Nonpoint program awards projects that focus on either environmental planning or the implementation of best management practice systems to protect New York’s watersheds. Projects include conservation measures, such as nutrient management through manure storage, vegetative buffers along streams and conservation cover crops.
The District can apply on behalf of farmers for the competitive grant program, which is funded through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund. Project proposals are due at 4:30 pm on April 13, 2020.
To apply or receive more information, please contact Ron Thorn or call our offices at 315-946-7200
In addition to the Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program, the State has funding available under the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program.
Climate Resilient Farming
These funds help farms reduce their operational impact on the environment and address the impacts of extreme weather events resulting from climate change. Through four rounds of funding, awarded projects are estimated to deliver the equivalent of 15,513 metric tons of CO2e per year emissions reductions, equivalent to removing 3,294 cars from the road for one year. The 2019-2020 State Budget, through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, provided for an additional $4 million in funding for this fifth round.
Funding will support agricultural projects and equipment purchases that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help agricultural producers prepare for and better manage impacts of climate change, including increased heavy storm events, overall rainfall, and periods of drought.
For the first time, the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program includes funding specifically for the Healthy Soils NY initiative. Applications must be for one of the following project categories: Track 1 – agricultural waste storage cover and flare systems; Track 2 – water management systems; and Track 3- Healthy Soils NY, soil health management practice systems.
Track 1 – $2 million is available for manure storage cover and flare systems to reduce methane emissions from the farm and increase the farm’s resiliency to major precipitation events.
Track 2 – $1 million is available for water management projects to prepare agricultural producers for flood events and drought.
Track 3 – $1 million for the Healthy Soils NY initiative to improve soil health on farms and enhance a farm’s resiliency to the impacts of climate change, including drought and wet weather. Soil health management practice systems can also create carbon sinks, increase water holding capacity, and improve the recycling of nitrogen by crops, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
To apply or receive more information, please contact Ron Thorn or call our offices at 315-946-7200. Project proposals are due at 4:30 pm on March 2, 2020.
The application and additional information are available on the Department’s website at https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/funding-opportunities.
