$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.

Photo Credit NY Ag in the Classroom

The New York Agriculture in the Classroom Grants are now open for indoor grow systems for schools in NY interested in a classroom project. Schools can apply for three types of grow systems that would best meet their educational goals, classroom space needs, along with experience level in school gardening and curriculum integration.

New York Agriculture in the Classroom aspires to provide teachers the tools to facilitate experiential-learning opportunities using agriculture as the context for learning by investing $70,000 in the grant program.

The selected schools that receive grow systems will be asked to submit two progress reports yearly, and respond to messages or inquiries as asked. Regional Agriculture in the Classroom curriculum training will be held during the school year, and at least one teacher from the recipient school must attend the training. The educator trainings will deepen your understanding of the paired curriculum available and companion resources, and allow for teachers to develop a network of support in each region.

Interested teachers can apply for one of three available grow systems: a 2445 soil-based rack grow system, a bundle of three aeroponic tower gardens, or a high tunnel. Schools will be awarded the grow system that best meets their educational goals, classroom space needs, experience level in school gardening, and curriculum integration plans. The systems will serve as “garden classrooms” where food-based learning can be integrated with math, science, language arts, and social studies while helping teachers meet core curriculum requirements. In addition, recipients will receive educational resources, workshop opportunities, and access to a growing network of school food gardeners throughout the state.

Interested teachers can apply for the Grow with Us Grant by Friday, January 3, 2020.

More information about the Grow with Us Grant and the application can be found by visiting the New York Agriculture in the Classroom website at www.agclassroom.org/ny.

New York Agriculture in the Classroom is a partnership of Cornell University, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, New York State Education Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and New York Farm Bureau. New York Agriculture in the Classroom fosters an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of our food and fiber system.

New York State “Grown and Certified” Christmas trees and wreaths will be on display in the state’s regional welcome centers and Taste NY stores, promoting New York’s agricultural and tourism industries.

New York’s Christmas tree industry sells nearly 300,000 trees from more than 750 tree farms located across the state.

The NYS Grown & Certified program tells buyers the products they are selecting come from farmers who grow their products in an environmentally-responsible manner.

NYS Grown & Certified participating tree farm producers in Wayne County are:

Brick Church Farms Christmas Trees and Gift Shop
5502 S. Geneva Rd.
Sodus, New York
(315) 483-9876

Franke Farms
3700 Boss Road Extension
Marion, NY
(315) 986-1349

New York State’s agriculture industry is one of our great assets and keeping it growing and thriving is one of the most important things we can do. When you see products with the New York State Grown & Certified seal, you are assured that it comes from a local farm that adheres to high food safety standards and environmentally responsible practices.

To learn more about the NYS Grown and Certified program contact Ian Priestley AEM Specialist at 315-946-7200 or email: Ian@wayneNYswcd.org