By Blake Jackson
Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that $25 million has been awarded to New York farmers to support on-farm projects focused on agricultural water quality conservation.
This marks the largest single-round funding in the State’s Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program (Ag Nonpoint), made possible through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and, for the first time, the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
“By tapping into our Bond Act funding, we are now able to expand our reach and support even more on-farm projects across the State through our Ag Nonpoint program,” Governor Hochul said.
“Our farmers care deeply for the land they work, so it’s critical we provide them with the resources they need and deserve to safeguard our waterways while protecting our communities and our natural resources from climate change.”
The announcement took place at Van Patten Farms in Preble, Cortland County, during a special event hosted by State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton.
The Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District will assist the farm in building a 1.4-million-gallon nutrient storage and transfer system, advancing nutrient recycling for crop production and improving water quality in the Tioughnioga River Watershed.
Van Patten Farm is receiving Bond Act funding to implement this project. In total, 50 projects across 25 counties were funded in Round 30 of the Ag Nonpoint Program.
“Our Ag Nonpoint program has long been a well-known and robust resource to our farmers for three decades, helping our farmers to implement best practices that will conserve water and protect our waterways,” said Commissioner Ball.
“Now, with an infusion of funding from the Bond Act, we are able to grow the program, investing in projects that will not only ensure the health of our environment but will also help ensure farms can remain competitive, profitable, and sustainable.”
Round 30 includes $14 million from the EPF and $11 million from the 2022 Bond Act. Over the past 29 rounds, the program has awarded more than $250 million to support on-farm conservation initiatives.
Administered by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets in coordination with the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, the Ag Nonpoint Program operates under the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) framework, helping farmers implement cost-effective, science-based practices that balance productivity with environmental stewardship.
The complete list of awarded projects can be found here.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zms
Categories: New York, Government & Policy