$16.8M available to help N.Y. farmers mitigate effects of climate change

ALBANY | During Climate Week NYC, Gov. Hochul announced $16.8 million is available for projects that will help address the impacts of climate change and protect water quality across New York State through the Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) Grant Program. Funded projects aim to help New York farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect water quality, protect and enhance soil health and increase on-farm resiliency. These funding opportunities build on the Governor's efforts to support programs and initiatives that combat climate change and support the conservation of the state's natural resources. "It is important that we continue to position our farmers with the right resources to adapt to a changing climate," Gov. Hochul said. "The Climate Resilient Farming Program allows our farmers to implement practices that will strengthen their operations while protecting our natural resources and supporting the future of New York agriculture." The CRF Program, funded through New York's Environmental Protection Fund, focuses on helping farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon sequestration on farms and mitigate the impacts of severe weather attributed to climate change, such as increased heavy storm events, early spring frost and periods of drought. The program is now in its tenth round and funding is available in four tracks. Track 1 – Livestock Management: Manure and Methane Management and Precision Feed Management Projects will reduce methane emissions from the farm and increase the farm's resiliency to major precipitation events. Track 2 – Adaptation and Resiliency Projects will help prepare agricultural producers for the impacts of a changing climate, such as flood events, drought and extreme temperature fluctuations. Track 3 – Healthy Soils NY: Systems and Best Management Practices that Support Soil Health and Agroforestry Projects will improve soil health on farms and enhance a farm's resiliency to the impacts of climate change. Soil health practices can also create carbon sinks, increase water holding capacity and improve recycling of nitrogen by crops, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Track 4 – Agricultural Forestry Management Projects will support forest management and tree planting on agricultural lands for carbon sequestration. New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "We are proud of the Climate Resilient Farming program and the reach it has had since its launch. Each year the program has seen increased demand from our Soil and Water Conservation Districts and our farmers looking to develop sustainable solutions to address the challenges associated with climate change. The progress we've seen across the State has been hugely impactful and our work is not done yet. We encourage our Soil and Water Districts to work with their farmers to apply." Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, "Farmers play a big role in helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring a clean environment and healthy food, and advancing a greener future for New Yorkers. DEC applauds Gov. Hochul's continued investments in the agricultural sector and thanks our partners at the Department of Agriculture and Markets for providing farmers with the resources they need to tackle the impacts of climate change, increase resilience and improve sustainability through the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program." Through nine rounds of funding to date, $94 million has been awarded through the CRF Program to 713 on-farm projects that are estimated to deliver more than 639,483 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) reduction over the expected lifespan of the projects, equivalent to removing 149,163 gas-powered cars from the road for one year. The State's County Soil and Water Conservation Districts can apply now on behalf of farmers for these competitive grants. Proposed projects should be rooted in the New York State Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) process and support local AEM priorities. The application and additional information are available on the Department's website. Project proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on November 23, 2026. The CRF Program functions as part of the state's Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) 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 State Soil and Water Conservation Committee Chair Matt Brower said, "The Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program has already resulted in farmers adopting many practices that help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, as well as help them mitigate impacts from climate change. The program has also resulted in farmers protecting and improving other natural resources. This program has been successful because of the great teamwork between farmers and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts." State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "New York farmers work incredibly hard to grow our food supply while contending with the pressures of severe weather, invasive pests and other climate impacts that directly affect their daily work and crop yields. We need them and they need our full support through state programs that help keep our lands and waters healthy. The Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program is one of those core initiatives delivering that support. I was proud to help champion this critical program through the EPF, and I encourage Soil and Water Districts to work with local farmers to apply for these grants." Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, "For the tenth year, New York's Climate Resilient Farming Program will provide farmers with the resources they need to strengthen their operations while protecting our natural resources. These investments help farmers improve soil health, protect water quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of extreme weather. Funding for this important program is always a top budget priority and we are strongly encouraging our Soil and Water Conservation Districts to work with farmers to make the most of these opportunities." GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S COMMITMENT TO CLIMATE AGENDA Under the Governor's leadership, the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget provides $83 million through the Environmental Protection Fund, for agricultural programs and initiatives, such as the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program and the Climate Resilient Farming grant program, that are helping farms to implement environmentally sustainable practices and combat climate change. This includes an increase of $1 million for the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and continued funding for the Climate Resilient Farming Program along with the support of new initiatives such as the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition, which will direct key investments into the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition of Soil and Water Conservation Districts to support agricultural and resiliency-related projects on farms and in communities. This will also include support for farmers to invest in more cover crops, communities to improve culverts to reduce erosion of soil and runoff into waterbodies, and other investments to improve soil health and reduce water quality impairments in the region. 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. NEW YORK STATE'S CLIMATE AGENDA New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments and directs a minimum of 40 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors. The State is also working to disburse the historic $2 billion Sustainable Future Program, which will deliver targeted funding to lower emissions, reduce household energy costs and spur green job growth.

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$16.8M available to help N.Y. farmers mitigate effects of climate change

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