By Blake Jackson
In a significant boost for Ulster County’s farming community, the Ulster County Legislature has approved County Executive Jen Metzger’s plan to create the Ulster County Agricultural Sustainability Revolving Loan Fund.
The new program, designed to provide small- and mid-sized farms with affordable, flexible capital, is aimed at supporting farm viability, diversification, and long-term resilience.
Capitalized at $700,000, the Fund will focus on projects that improve operational efficiency in energy and water use, promote climate resiliency, and enable farm modernization. Eligible projects include equipment purchases, infrastructure improvements, technology upgrades, renewable energy installations, and climate adaptation measures.
The program will also prioritize outreach to historically underserved farm businesses that often face barriers to accessing capital. The loan program is expected to launch in Spring 2026.
“This program directly implements a key recommendation of our Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan, and I’m proud that we are putting it into action,” said County Executive Jen Metzger.
“Our farms are the backbone of Ulster County’s economy and rural heritage, and the new loan fund will help our farms diversify, modernize, and build resilience for the long term.” Metzger previously chaired the Agriculture Committee in the State Senate, and agriculture remains a key focus of her economic agenda.
The revolving loan fund builds on the success of the 2025 Ulster County Farm Viability and Sustainability Grant Program, which awarded $586,000 in federal ARPA funds to nine farms, highlighting the strong demand for farm investment resources.
The program will be administered by the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC), a Community Development Financial Institution with extensive experience in regional agriculture.
“We’re proud to work with Ulster County to develop this new agricultural loan fund, expanding access to affordable, flexible capital for farms and food businesses,” said HVADC Executive Director Todd Erling.
“By connecting local producers with the resources they need to invest in their operations, equipment, and resilience, we’re strengthening the economic viability and sustainability of the County’s agricultural sector.”
Photo Credit: gettyimage-jamesbrey
Categories: New York, Government & Policy