$4 Million Awarded to Help New York State Farms Address Impacts of Climate Change

Feb. 25, 2021

This funding will help the state of New York address extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and flooding.

 

The state of New York announced $4 million is being awarded through the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program to help 80 farms across the state of New York reduce their environmental footprints and prepare for extreme weather events.

According to the state’s website, the projects selected will reduce greenhouse gases by an estimated 90,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.

The Climate Resilient Farming Program, launched in 2015 by Governor Cuomo, supports the state's agricultural sector in meeting its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the state's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. The state has provided $12 million to assist farms across New York State, according to the state’s website.

Program grant funds are available for projects that mitigate the impact of agriculture on climate change for greenhouse gas emissions reduction and carbon dioxide removal. The funds are also available to projects that enhance the on-farm adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change, which include heavy storm events, rainfall, and drought, according to the state’s website.

According to the state, New York was awarded round 5 projects in the Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier, and Western New York regions. These projects will focus on best management practices (bmps) and increase irrigation capacity. 

There will be an emphasis on water management to mitigate the effects of periods of drought on crops and livestock, as well as heavy rainfall and flooding, added the state’s press release.

County Soil and Water Conservation Districts were awarded grants on behalf of farmers in one of the following project categories: agricultural waste storage cover and capture for methane reduction, on-farm water management, or soil health management systems.

The funding is as follows: 

  • Capital Region - $259,126
  • Central New York - $1,589,608
  • Finger Lakes - $1,022,571
  • Hudson Valley - $300,000
  • Mohawk Valley - $287,528
  • North Country - $134,626
  • Southern Tier - $322,715
  • Western New York - $83,826

A complete list of the project descriptions can be found here.

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Cristina Tuser