By Blake Jackson
Senator Lea Webb has announced a $122,770 award to the Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District through New York’s Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) Grant Program.
Funded under the FY 2026 state budget through the Environmental Protection Fund, the investment is aimed at helping farmers adopt practices that lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health, protect water quality, and strengthen resilience to climate change.
“Programs like Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District are essential to our communities. This funding will directly support two of our local farms and help strengthen their infrastructure, expand their capabilities, and protect the environment through increased carbon capture,” said Senator Lea Webb.
“The State’s $122,770 investment is going to make real improvements for our farmers and will enhance the quality of life for their animals.”
The funding will assist two livestock farms in the county that utilize rotational grazing systems. These farms will expand their grazing acreage while integrating agroforestry practices, including planting trees within pastureland.
This approach provides shade and shelter for livestock, improves forage conditions, and enhances soil moisture retention, while also helping to reduce erosion and nutrient loss.
“As we all collect ourselves and recover from over 2” of rain in less than 12 hours across Tompkins County on the first day of April 2026, we are reminded of how critical conservation practices are on the landscape. These critical conservation practices need to work in harmony with productive agriculture to feed our growing population. Soil and water resources are the lifeblood of the County and their protection is essential. The NYS Climate Resilient Farming Program provides opportunities to farms that are vital to meeting these agricultural & conservation needs," Said Callan Space, Chair of Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Board of Directors.
"We are so delighted to be able to help fund and journey along with 2 more farms in our County through their process of upgrading their rotational grazing and silvopasture systems. These systems help keep livestock out of sensitive waterway areas and limit the stress to the soil from animal traffic/grazing, erosion, and heat through tree planting and highly managed animal pasturing.”
The project is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 32 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually while also serving as a demonstration model for other farms interested in climate-smart practices.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-alexeyrumyantsev
Categories: New York, Government & Policy