By Blake Jackson
New York State is investing more than $1.34 million in agricultural innovation projects across Delaware and Sullivan counties, providing support to 25 farms through the Agricultural Environmental Innovation Grant Program.
The initiative is funded through a 2023 legal settlement involving FrieslandCampina Ingredients North America, Inc. and is designed to help farmers adopt technologies and practices that improve efficiency, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.
The grant program is administered by the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) and reinvests funds from a settlement reached after repeated violations of state and federal environmental laws at Friesland’s manufacturing facility in Delhi, New York.
The selected projects aim to demonstrate practical farming innovations that can strengthen farm profitability while delivering environmental and public health benefits throughout the Catskills region.
“DEC is proud to partner with the Office of the Attorney General for this significant investment benefiting more than two dozen farms in Delaware County at a time when farmers nationwide are facing a severe financial crisis due to high production costs and volatile federal trade policies," said DEC Commissioner Lefton.
"A healthy farming industry benefits all New Yorkers by boosting local economies and providing nutritious food to our kitchen tables. These funds, secured from a settlement related to numerous violations of environmental laws by FrieslandCampina, serve as a reminder that New York State holds polluters accountable for the damages they cause to our environment and ensures payments made to settle penalties are poured back into impacted communities.”
The funding stems from a $2.88 million settlement reached in August 2023 after pollution violations at Friesland’s Delhi facility. Half of the penalty was designated for projects that improve environmental and public health outcomes in the surrounding region.
This year, $1,347,681 was awarded across 35 projects involving dairy, livestock, and organic crop farms. Funding supports precision agriculture equipment, soil health and cover crop management tools, and agricultural drones.
These investments are expected to help farmers reduce waste, improve resource management, protect water quality, lower emissions, and increase overall farm efficiency while maintaining compliance with environmental regulations.
Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: New York, Government & Policy