By Blake Jackson
The New York Outcomes Fund, initiated in January 2023, is revolutionizing agriculture by propelling regenerative practices in the Great Lakes region. Spearheaded by the Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability in collaboration with Cargill, the New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association, Cornell Extension, and the Soil and Water Outcomes Fund, the pilot program spans 10,000 acres across 25 growers in Western and Central New York.
The innovative project addresses the challenge of how to accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture, focusing on cover crops and reduced tillage. With funding from the Great Lakes Protection Fund and Cargill, the pilot offers transition funding and agronomic support to New York farmers, enhancing sustainability and soil health.
The New York Outcomes Fund emphasizes measurable outcomes, with a focus on carbon reductions, water quality improvements, and overall conservation benefits. By partnering with farmers, the initiative seeks to enroll acres in regenerative practices, providing financial resources and technical assistance. The project aims to generate 6,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions, over 110,000 pounds of nitrogen reductions, and more than 5,500 pounds of phosphorus reductions through newly adopted conservation practices.
Notably, the program addresses a major hurdle for farmers – capital. The New York Outcomes Fund provides financial resources and technical support, enabling growers to implement conservation practices effectively. The partnership with the New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association and Cornell Cooperative Extension further enhances the program's reach, ensuring outreach and technical assistance.
Alan Martinez, the project lead, emphasizes the shift in grower interest and investment in regenerative agriculture, noting the program's potential to transform farming practices in New York State. Payments to enrolled farmers, ranging from $23 to $37 per acre, signify the tangible support provided.
As the pilot progresses, the New York Outcomes Fund is positioned to influence policy discussions at state and federal levels, aligning with broader sustainability goals. With over 200,000 acres of potential farmland in New York, the project showcases a unique farmer-led model, scalable financial solutions, and impactful outcomes, setting a precedent for sustainable initiatives in regenerative agriculture.
Martinez acknowledges the need for continued innovation to address challenges in changing farming practices, underscoring the project's success in paying farmers for science-based environmental outcomes. The New York Outcomes Fund emerges as a promising model for advancing climate-smart and regenerative agriculture, contributing to the resilience and sustainability of agriculture in the state.
To learn more about the New York Outcomes Fund, visit www.nyoutcomesfund.com
Photo Credit: gettyimages-mvburling
Categories: New York, General