Governor Hochul Announces Approximately $25 Million Awarded to Help Farmers Protect Water Quality

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that approximately $25 million has been awarded to help New York's farmers support agricultural water quality conservation projects. The funding was awarded as part of Round 31 of the State's Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program (AGNPS), which is being provided through the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act (BA).

"New York farmers are facing environmental challenges that can affect their farms and our natural resources," Governor Hochul said. "Our farmers need support to combat these challenges while protecting their farmland. Round 31 of our Agricultural Nonpoint Source Program will continue to provide funding for farmers to develop cost-effective solutions to protect our natural resources and maintain the productivity of their land."

Through this latest round, Round 31, the Department received 127 applications for the AGNPS Program. A total of $24.9 million was made available to the State's County and Soil and Water Conservation Districts, which applied on behalf of New York farmers: $14 million is from the Environmental Protection Fund and $11 million is from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. The AGNPS Program is marking its 31st anniversary, and so far, through 30 rounds of funding, more than $250 million has been awarded to on-farm projects.

"Preserving our natural resources is important to our farmers, who care deeply about their land and animals," New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball said. "The Agricultural Nonpoint Source Program, in partnership with our Soil and Water Conservation Districts, provides our farmers the critical funding needed to implement best practices on the farm that protect local waterways and ensure the health of their communities."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, "New York's watersheds are vital to the health of our environment, communities, and agricultural economy. Through investments from the Environmental Protection Fund and the Environmental Bond Act, critical resources are being provided to help farmers protect water quality, strengthen resilience to a changing climate, and plan for a sustainable future. By safeguarding these essential natural resources, we are helping ensure clean water, thriving farms, and healthy ecosystems for generations of New Yorkers to come."

New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee Chair Matthew Brower said, "When I look at the number of watersheds being protected or improved by Round 31 of the Ag NonPoint Program and the number of farms participating, I think it is impressive.As in past rounds, the number of farms requesting funds and the amount of grant money requested far exceeded the money available. This demonstrates the commitment of farms to protect water quality across New York, when funds are available. Of course, none of this would be possible without the efforts of the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee greatly appreciates their efforts."

The AGNPS 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 conservation measures, such as nutrient management through manure storage, vegetative buffers along streams, and conservation cover crops.

A regional breakdown of funding is listed below. Find the complete list of awarded projects.

Western New York - $1,666,395

• $573,648 was awarded to Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with two farms in the Oak Orchard, Black Creek, Lower Genesee, and Oak Orchard-Twelvemile Watersheds (EPF).
• $722,732 was awarded to the Cattaraugus County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Cattaraugus Creek Watershed (EPF).
• $370,015 was awarded to the Niagara County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with 11 farms in the Oak Orchard-Twelvemile Watershed (EPF).

Finger Lakes - $5,824,994

• $1,404,060 was awarded to the Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with six farms in the Finger Lakes Watershed (EPF and BA).
• $2,371,421 was awarded to Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with five farms in the Oak Orchard-Twelvemile Watershed (EPF and BA).
• $1,475,865 was awarded to the Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with two farms in the Niagara River Watershed and the Buffalo-Eighteenmile Watershed (EPA).

Southern Tier - $518,664

• $518,664 was awarded to the Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Owego-Wappasening Watershed (EPF).

Central New York - $7,184,903

• $2,610,681 was awarded to the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Finger Lakes Watershed and two farms in the Irondequoit-Ninemile Watershed (EPF and BA).
• $477,720 was awarded to the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Chenango Watershed (EPF and BA).
• $1,060,832 was awarded to the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with seven farms in the Oneida Lake Watershed (EPF and BA).
• $3,035,670 was awarded to the Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with six farms in the Finger Lakes and Chenango River Watershed (EPF and BA).

Mohawk Valley - $3,120,946

• $1,034,875 was awarded to the Montgomery County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with three farms in the Mohawk River Watershed (EPF and BA).
• $679,511 was awarded to the Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the upper Susquehanna Watershed (EPF).
• $1,406,560 was awarded to the Schoharie County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with two farms in the Schoharie Watershed (EPF and BA).

North Country - $2,793,215

• $464,985 awarded to the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with six farms in the St. Regis, Salmon River and Chateaugay River Watersheds (EPF and BA).
• $532,840 was awarded to the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with two farms in the Salmon-Sandy and Chaumont-Perch Watersheds (EPF).
• $1,795,390 was awarded to the Lewis County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with three farms in the Black River Watershed (EPF and BA).

Capital Region - $904,163

• $904,163 was awarded to the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Hudson-Hoosic Watershed (EPF).

Mid-Hudson - $358,000

• $358,000 was awarded to the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with one farm in the Rondout Watershed (BA).

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, "New York farmers are among the most dedicated stewards of our lands and waters, and one of the most important things we can do is champion investments that directly support their efforts to protect our environment and grow a safe, healthy food supply. I'm proud to have helped secure this funding and to see it reach farmers across New York. Thank you to Governor Hochul for prioritizing these grants, which will strengthen our agricultural economy and environment."

Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, "Our Soil and Water Conservation Districts work hard to protect New York's natural resources, partnering with farmers to develop effective, on-farm solutions that improve water quality and strengthen environmental stewardship. For more than 30 years, the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Program has provided critical support for these efforts. This record investment will help even more farms implement important conservation projects. I'd like to thank all of our government partners for their support, along with the farmers who are committed to protecting New York's land and water resources for future generations."

Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick said, "New York's farms are a vital part of our economy as well as an enduring connection to our past and increasingly important to us today. While farming is not just a job but a way of life, New Yorkers want to know where their food is coming from and want it to be close by. These new grants will aid our farmers to improve their practices and ensure that our crucial water resources are protected and soil health is maintained. I want to thank Governor Hochul and Commissioner Ball for their steadfast commitment to New York's agricultural communities."

New York State Farm Bureau President David Fisher said, "Farmers are proud stewards of the land who are deeply invested in their livelihood, often farming the same land for generations. AGNPS funding is critically important to help preserve the farming way of life in New York as we face climate changes and other challenges. We must protect our land and waterways for future generations of farming families and the people who eat the food they grow."

The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, in coordination with the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, administers the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program through its Land and Water Division, which works to protect New York's land and water resources through farmland protection, farmland conservation, and proactive environmental stewardship.

The Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program functions as part of the 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.

Governor Hochul's Commitment to Soil and Water Conservation Districts

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 capital investments Soil and Water Conservation Districts oversee, such as supporting dairy farmers to implement projects that enhance manure management systems that effectively utilize manure nutrients to benefit soil health and crop growth while also protecting water quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It also includes recent funding in the Eastern Finger Lakes Watershed that galvanizes implementation of the plans and programs to address on-the-ground actions necessary to abate nutrient pollution and harmful algal blooms (HABs), prevent runoff, protect drinking water, and support local farmers.

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 by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation and waste sectors.