New York State has announced that $25 million will be distributed to Soil and Water Conservation Districts throughout the state to support agricultural water quality conservation projects. The funding, which is the largest awarded in a single round of the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program (Ag Nonpoint), comes from both the Environmental Protection Fund and, for the first time, the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act.
According to officials, this initiative aims to help farms implement environmental planning and best management practices that protect New York’s watersheds. These projects include measures such as manure storage for nutrient management, vegetative buffers along streams, and conservation cover crops.
The announcement was made by Richard A. Ball, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets; Amanda Lefton, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Amanda Barber, District Manager at Cortland County Soil and Water District; and Steve Van Patten, Co-owner of Van Patten Farms.
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A total of $14 million will be provided through the Environmental Protection Fund while $11 million comes from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act passed in 2022. This marks Round 30 of Ag Nonpoint funding. Over its 30-year history, more than $275 million has been allocated to on-farm projects across New York.
The program allows county Soil and Water Conservation Districts to apply for funds on behalf of local farmers.
