This week Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that $16.2 million has been awarded to support agricultural water quality conservation projects across the state.

As part of the funds awarded, Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District will receive $95,105.00 to provide assistance to three farms to address erosion and phosphorus export, stormwater control and green infrastructure improvements to roofs and gutter systems to direct stormwater away from sensitive areas. Since the inception of the Ag Non-Point program, WCSWCD has assisted over 40 farms with the implementation of best management practices. These BMPs have had a direct effect on potential pollutants from entering the waterways and provide substantial water quality improvements to the watersheds of Wayne County.

All projects support the New York State Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Program by funding the implementation of agricultural water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect natural resources while maintaining the economic viability of New York State’s diverse agricultural community. In total, more than 90 farms will benefit from the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program. For a complete list of projects awarded, please visit the Department of Agriculture website.

“New York is a leader in the fight to protect clean water, preserve agriculture for the future and combat climate change,” Governor Cuomo said. “From our aggressive clean energy plan to environmentally responsible farm practices, we are committed to supporting projects that will protect our natural resources and ensure a better future for the next generation. This program, which paved the way for many of our other on-farm environmental protection programs, continues to help our farmers use cost-effective methods to protect our waterways.”

The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets administers the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program in coordination with the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee. The program is a part of the Agricultural Environmental Management framework, a broader effort that helps farmers achieve higher levels of environmental stewardship and more efficient, cost-effective farming systems.

Through the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program in coordination with the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee projects include best management practice systems to keep nutrients and other potential pollutants from entering waterways. BMPs include a variety of measures including, vegetative buffers along streams, cover crops, nutrient management through manure storage, and other conservation measures.

The Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program is funded in the 2018-19 State Budget through the historic $300 million New York State Environmental Protection Fund. Since 1993, New York State has dedicated approximately $210 million to the program.

The Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program builds on the Governor’s efforts to provide historic water quality protections across the state through the $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017. In 2019, the New York State budget also committed an additional $500 million for capital costs of clean water infrastructure projects.

Following Governor Cuomo’s 2018 State of the State announcement, state agencies allocated more than $82 million in competitive grants for projects to address nutrient pollution in water bodies that have been affected by harmful algal blooms. For more information visit https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released final versions of the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) and the Clean Water Act (CWA) Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permits on January 25, 2017. There are several distinctive compliance changes to these new permits that new or current permittees should take note of.

NYFB has been working with DEC and the CAFO Workgroup to develop permits that are workable for farmers, while protecting our water resources. Both permits have several compliance, recording and reporting changes that will affect farms. Farms are strongly encouraged to reach out to their Certified Nutrient Management Planner to discuss how the new CAFO permits will influence their farm and if any additional work needs to be completed before the compliance deadline.

Both permits, through the NRCS Nutrient Management Standard (590) and Cornell Revised Winter and Wet Manure Spreading Guidelines, will place more restrictions on winter spreading and a greater need for manure storage. Farmers should read the changes to the manure management and reporting requirements as well as wet weather spreading restrictions.

Permits go into effect July 24, 2017

ECL Permit:

The ECL permit will require the farm to have all its Best Management Practices (BMPs) implemented, submit a Notice of Intent and CNMP certification, and the farm must demonstrate “no discharge.”  DEC defines “no discharge” as operating and maintaining BMPs to prevent a discharge up to a 100-year, 24-hour storm event. The farm and its planner will now have to develop wet weather standard operating procedures in order to meet this requirement.

Farms looking to gain coverage under the ECL permit must submit a completed Notice of Intent form and CNMP certification within 150 days of publishing of the permits (by June 24, 2017). DEC will then review the documents and notify the applicant of approval for coverage under the ECL permit. The ECL permit goes into effect on July 24, 2017.

A copy of the ECL Permit can be found here.

A copy of the ECL Permit Fact Sheet can be found here.

CWA Permit:
The CWA permit will require the farm to be fully implemented and submit a Notice of Intent and Annual Nutrient Management Plan. The CWA permit will also require the farm’s ANMP to be subject to a public comment period in the Environmental Notice Bulletin. A significant change in the operation of the farm will require a new public notice if the change is not in accordance with the CNMP and NRCS standards.

Farms who wish to be covered under the CWA permit must submit a completed Notice of Intent Form and Annual Nutrient Management Plan within 120 days calendar days of publishing the permits (by May 25, 2017). DEC will then review and submit for public participation. DEC will notify the applicant when approved for coverage under the CWA permit. The CWA permit goes into effect on July 24, 2017.

A copy of the CWA Permit can be found here.

A copy of the CWA Permit Fact Sheet can be found here.

NYFB encourages farms to take advantage of knowledgeable resources, like PRO-DAIRY, NRCS staff, and Soil and Water Conservation District staff, to improve their nutrient management program and bring resiliency to their operation when weather or field conditions do not allow for spreading.

Members should watch their emails for dates for the CAFO roadshow that will be taking place in February. The roadshows will be an opportunity for farmers and planners to talk with DEC and Department of Agriculture and Market officials about the new permits and ask questions about the new permits and implementation.

NYFB is aware that these new permits may create significant hurdles for some farms, particularly financial challenges in attaining compliance during this difficult and extended milk pricing period. The State is allocating at least $50 million for manure storage, but that funding still needs to get out to producers. NYFB has talked at length with DEC and the Department of Agriculture and Markets about our concerns regarding the timing of compliance, but invite you to reach out to our office when you have assessed any individual farm concerns so we are fully aware of problems. Call Kelly Young or Lauren Williams at 1-800-342-4143. 

In the meantime, farms are strongly encouraged to review the permits and attend the CAFO roadshows to ask DEC questions. More information on the CAFO permits can be found here.

New York Dept. of Agriculture Commissioner Ball warns about mysterious seeds sent from China

“Our office has received questions from a few New Yorkers who have received unsolicited packages allegedly sent from China that are marked as containing jewelry (or other items) but which actually contain plant seeds. Similar packages have been received in other states and the United States Department of Agriculture is investigating. People who receive seeds should not plant or handle the seeds. They should store them safely in a place children and pets cannot access and email USDA immediately at erich.l.glasgow@usda.gov for instructions. Seeds imported into the United States are rigorously tested to ensure quality and prevent the introduction of invasive species, insects, and diseases. We will continue to monitor this issue and will pass along guidance as it is received from USDA.”

*Note to newsrooms: Please advise consumers to email USDA with their full names and telephone numbers, pictures of the package and any other relevant information.