By Blake Jackson
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that over $25 million will be awarded to 133 farms across 23 New York counties through the Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) Grant Program.
The funding supports projects designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance soil health, protect water quality, and improve farm resilience to climate change.
The CRF program is funded through the New York State FY 2026 Enacted Budget, and Governor Hochul has proposed additional support in this year’s Executive Budget as part of the Environmental Protection Fund.
Since its inception, the program has awarded $94 million to 700 farms statewide, resulting in an estimated reduction of 642,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, roughly equal to taking 142,984 gasoline-powered vehicles off the road annually.
Nearly half of the funding has been invested in methane reduction practices, accounting for approximately 94% of the total emissions reduction.
“New York State has long been a leader in combating climate change, and a big part of that includes supporting our farmers. Ensuring New York’s agricultural industry has resources to mitigate the effects of climate change is critical to not only protecting our environment but also maintaining the economic viability of the state's agricultural industry for generations to come,” Governor Hochul said.
“I congratulate all the awardees of this terrific program and look forward to seeing the progress made in creating a cleaner, greener, more resilient New York.”
“Through programs like the Climate Resilient Farming program, our farmers are implementing best management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, capture and sequester carbon, and protect our soil and water quality, all while remaining competitive in the marketplace," New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said.
"Through our governor’s leadership and our ongoing partnership with our County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), we are continuing to make great strides in the fight against climate change.”
This funding round will implement 50 projects across 133 farms, with about half involving new farm participants.
Projects include manure and methane management, nutrient management, water management, soil health practices such as cover cropping and reduced tillage, afforestation, and pollinator habitat development.
The projects are estimated to reduce 67,677 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, equal to removing 15,786 gasoline-powered vehicles from the road.
Grants were awarded through four tracks: Track 1 - Livestock Management, Track 2 - Adaptation and Resiliency, Track 3 - Healthy Soils NY, and Track 4 - Agricultural Forestry Management.
Awards by region include $11.3 million for 57 farms in the Finger Lakes and $3.7 million for 33 farms in the Southern Tier. Projects will implement 34,600 acres of cover crops, 11 acres of riparian buffers, and nine manure storage cover systems.
For a full list of projects, visit the Department of Agriculture and Markets website.
Photo Credit: istock-alenamozhjer
Categories: New York, Government & Policy