New York State invests in climate resilient farming

By Blake Jackson

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a record investment of over $33 million in the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program, aimed at helping New York's farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect water, and increase on-farm resiliency to climate change.

"This program gives farmers the resources they need to mitigate their impact on the environment, prepare for and respond to whatever weather events the future holds, and continue their critical work contributing to our local economies," Governor Hochul said.

Led by county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), a total of 70 projects will be implemented on 184 farms across the state.

The projects are supported through $16.14 million in state funding and an additional $17 million in federal funds.

SWCDs were awarded grants in six tracks: livestock management, manure storage cover and methane capture, adaptation and resiliency, healthy soils, agricultural forestry management, and soil health systems.

The Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program is part of the State's Agricultural Environmental Management planning framework and is implemented by county SWCDs. SWCDs work with farms and communities to conserve natural resources and address environmental challenges.

The awarded farms are projected to implement 98,000 acres of cover crops, 23 acres of riparian buffers, and nine manure storage cover and flares systems.

"Farmers care deeply for the health and vitality of New York’s working landscapes. Working in partnership with county Soil and Water Conservation Districts across the state," said State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball. "Our farmers are committed to producing food in a way that reduces their environmental footprint and protects our natural resources at the same time. With this record-setting level of funding, we are expanding our reach to even more farms across the State, helping New York State to continue to lead the nation in combating climate change and ensuring a healthy, thriving environment for all."

Governor Hochul's commitment to Soil and Water Conservation Districts is evident in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, which provides $81.8 million for agricultural programs and initiatives, including the Climate Resilient Farming grant program. This investment will help farms implement environmentally sustainable practices and combat climate change.

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