New York State Awards Money to Help Farmers with Conservation Efforts

From the state Department of Agriculture and Markets:

A total of $11.1 million has been awarded to support 29 agricultural water quality conservation projects across the state, benefiting 116 farms.

The funding, provided to County Soil and Water Conservation Districts through the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program, will help farmers with projects that prevent water pollution, reduce erosion and limit harmful sediments and other nutrients in New York’s waterways.  

The program received a record number of applications — a total of 99 — this year, demonstrating the agricultural community’s growing commitment to environmental stewardship.

Through the program, the County Soil and Water Conservation Districts apply for the competitive grants on behalf of farmers.   Projects awarded receive funding to conduct environmental planning or to implement best management practices such as agricultural waste storage systems, riparian buffer systems, conservation cover crops and structural soil conservation practices.

Here is the money awarded by regions:

·       Western New York - $1,584,551 for four projects

·       Finger Lakes - $2,814,643 for ten projects

·       Southern Tier - $2,766,515 for six projects

·       North Country - $1,668,511 for three projects

·       Mohawk Valley - $1,416,535 for three projects

·       Capital Region - $404,590 for one project

·       Long Island - $448,309 for two projects

For a complete list of projects awarded, please visit: http://www.nys-soilandwater.org/aem/AgNPS_Round_21_Project.pdf