New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced Tuesday that $25 million is available for projects that will help New York’s farmers to support agricultural water quality conservation projects.
This is the second year of record-level funding being offered through the state’s Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program, which is being provided through the Environmental Protection Fund and the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
“For over three decades, our Ag Nonpoint Program has seen tremendous success, helping farmers implement best practices to protect our waterways,” Ball said in a press release. “We’re excited to see even more funding dedicated to this program for the second year in a row through the Bond Act, helping us to continue investing in projects that will not only ensure the health of our environment, but also help ensure farms can remain competitive, profitable, and sustainable.”
The Ag Nonpoint Program provides funding to projects that focus on either environmental planning or the implementation of best management practice systems to protect New York’s watersheds. Projects include, but are not limited to, conservation measures, such as nutrient management through manure storage; vegetative buffers along streams; and conservation cover crops.
Through this latest round of the program, Round 31, a total of $25 million is being made available to the state’s County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, who will apply on behalf of New York farmers: $14 million from the Environmental Protection Fund and $11 million from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022.
Last year, the program celebrated its 30th anniversary, and so far, over $275 million has been awarded to on-farm projects. Round 30 awarded funding to 109 participating farms and 25 county Soil and Water Conservation Districts, with awarded projects including plans for over 12,000 acres of cover crops, 31 agricultural waste storage systems and 25 forested buffers.
Project proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. April 20. The application for the program and additional information can be found at agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0395-agricultural-nonpoint-source-pollution-abatement-and-control-program.
“In the past, farmers in New York have demonstrated a need for the funding from the Ag Nonpoint Program to protect water quality on and off the farm. They have also demonstrated a willingness to install the conservation practices necessary to address water quality issues when the funds are available,” NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee Chairman Matt Brower said in a press release. “Not only are we fortunate to have the funds available to the farmers, but we are also fortunate to have the Soil and Water Conservation District staff available to assist the farmers with the planning, design, and installation of the practices.”
The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, in coordination with the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, administers the Ag Nonpoint Program through its Division of Land and Water Resources, which works to protect New York’s land and water resources through farmland protection, farmland conservation, and proactive environmental stewardship.
The Ag Nonpoint Program functions as part of the Agricultural Environmental Management framework, a broader effort that helps farmers achieve higher levels of environmental stewardship and more efficient, cost-effective farming systems. County Soil and Water Conservation Districts use the AEM framework to assist interested farmers through planning and implementation to make science-based and cost-effective decisions. As a result, farmers can meet business goals while conserving the State’s natural resources.
“New York farmers are the leading stewards of our natural resources, and everything we can do as a state to support them in that work is essential,” State Sen. Michelle Hinchey said in a press release.
Gov. Hochul’s Commitment to the Climate
New York state continues to lead the nation with its climate and clean energy agenda. As part of the state’s greater climate initiatives, several agricultural programs administered through the Department of Agriculture and Markets help farms to implement environmentally sustainable practices and combat climate change. Gov. Kathy Hochul also recently highlighted the state’s $3.8 billion investment in local water infrastructure projects during State Fiscal Year 2025.
“Governor Hochul continues to make record investments to safeguard water quality and boost New York’s agricultural economy through the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act; the Environmental Protection Fund; and innovative programs that build lasting partnerships to protect our waterways,” NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said in a press release.
During Earth Week this year, Hochul announced New York has dedicated nearly $125 million since 2020 to on-farm projects that conserve natural resources, combat climate change, and protect soil and water quality. Additionally, the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget provided $81.8 million through the EPF, up $4 million from the previous year, for agricultural programs and initiatives, such as the Ag Nonpoint Program and the Climate Resilient Farming grant program. This includes funding for Cornell Soil Health, a $750,000 increase for the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and continued funding for the Climate Resilient Farming program along, with the establishment of new initiatives.
In addition, the voter-approved $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 is advancing historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities’ ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats, and preserve outdoor spaces and local farms.
HOW TO APPLY Project proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. April 20. The application for the program and additional information can be found at agriculture.ny.gov/rfp-0395-agricultural-nonpoint-source-pollution-abatement-and-control-program.