Cuomo Announces Money for CAFO Waste Storage Programs

From staff reports
 
The state has awarded $20 million to implement water quality protection projects on 56 farms across the state.
 
The money was provided through the first round of the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Waste Storage and Transfer System Program. It supports projects that will allow livestock farms to better manage and store nutrients, such as manure, to protect ground water and nearby waterways.
 
The program is a part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 which invests an unprecedented level of resources for drinking water, wastewater infrastructure and other water quality protections statewide.
 
“Agriculture remains a key part of New York’s economy and this funding will help farms in every corner of this state protect drinking water supplies and waterways, while also remaining competitive,” Cuomo said in making the award announcement Dec. 20. 

“With this program, we are supporting New York’s economy and ensuring our essential natural resources are preserved for years to come,” he said.
 
Through the program, 61 waste storage and transfer systems will be installed on CAFO-permitted farms in 25 counties throughout the state. Grants will help offset the cost of construction, site preparation and associated best management practices. 

Funded projects will also help farmers meet the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s new environmental requirements first announced in January of this year.
 
The money is being provided to County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, which applied on behalf of eligible farmers, in the Capital Region, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country, Southern Tier, and Western New York Regions. 

A list of the award totals is available at https://www.agriculture.ny.gov/Press%20Releases/CAFO_WST_System_Rnd1_Awards.pdf#_blank

“The grant money under the governor’s water infrastructure plan will build on the agricultural community’s strong record of environmental stewardship,” said David Fisher, president of New York Farm Bureau. 

“The cost sharing assistance provides more flexibility on farms to manage nutrients, which helps protect water quality for all New Yorkers. New York Farm Bureau appreciates the public-private partnership, especially as livestock farmers are putting new environmental management plans in place to meet tougher CAFO regulations,” he said.
 
“One of the biggest responsibilities our farmers have is to be good stewards of the land and other natural resources they use. Through this funding, our state’s hardworking farmers can continue the important work they do to support New York’s leading industry, and at the same time, continue their efforts to be leaders when it comes to implementing environmentally safe practices,” said state Sen. Patty Ritchie, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
 
“The governor’s historic clean water initiative is critical to ensuring the quality and sustainability of our natural resources and our farms,” said state Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets Richard Ball. 

“We received more applications than we were able to fund through the first round of this program, which shows the strong commitment of our livestock operations to environmental stewardship," Ball said. "We look forward to releasing the second Request for Proposals in the coming year to benefit even more farms as they strive to maintain nutrient recycling year-round.”

Apply Now for Help With Water Quality Programs

From state Assemblyman William Magee

Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Nelson) announced that livestock farms can now apply for state grants to help fund water quality projects that help comply with new environmental regulations. 

A total of $50 million is available through the Clean Water Infrastructure Act, which was included in this year’s state budget. As chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, Magee advocates for New York’s farmers and is dedicated to conserving our region’s soils and water resources.

“The agriculture industry is important to our region’s economy,” Magee said. “This funding ensures that farmers across New York can comply with new regulations designed to ensure our water remains clean. These water quality projects will keep our water safe for future generations.”

There are more than 500 farms in New York state with more than 200 livestock, most of which are dairy farms with more than 300 cows. This money will help livestock farms better store nutrients, such as manure, until there is ideal weather for application. 

Previously, farmers with insufficient storage would have to apply manure during rain or snowmelt, which meant that nutrients could run off and contaminate water supplies rather than be absorbed into fields and help crops grow.

This money is especially important this year. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) have been confirmed at Craine Lake in Earlville and suspected in the DeRuyter Reservoir.

HABs are caused by several nutrient sources and environmental factors and have the potential to cause illness in people and pets, as well as impact fisheries and recreational opportunities on local waterbodies.

“I encourage livestock farmers to apply for this helpful funding,” Magee said. “This is one of many programs out there that could be an important boost to them. I’ll keep fighting to cut red tape, invest in innovative agriculture programs and spur economic growth.”

The first of three application periods is open now and will close Nov. 20. Awards for the first $20 million will be made by mid-December. 

An additional $15 million will be made available in both 2018 and 2019. County soil and water conservation districts can apply for the CAFO Waste Storage and Transfer System Program on behalf of eligible farmers. The maximum award amount per proposal is $385,000, which includes funding for engineering and construction expenses. 

The application link can be found right here agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS.html

3 Onondaga County Farms Receive Climate Grant Money

From Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office

Three farms in Onondaga County will benefit from more than $151,000 awarded through round two of the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program. 

Launched in 2015, the program help farms reduce their operational impact on the environment and better prepare for and recover after extreme weather events.
 
As part of this second round of funding, County Soil and Water Conservation Districts in six regions across the state were awarded a total of more than $1.5 million in grants on behalf of farmers in one of the following project categories: agricultural waste storage cover and flare, on-farm water management, and soil health systems.
 
Projects awarded in the Central New York region include:  
 
Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District

• $112,577 – The district will work with two farms (Fesko Farms in Spafford and Elmer Richards and Sons farm in Marcellus) to install ponds to increase water capacity and improve the farms’ resiliency in future drought conditions. The ponds will also help farmers avoid hauling water to remote locations and provide fire protection and stormwater management for rural communities.
• $39,381 – The district will work with one farm (Kinsale Beef Farm in Pompey) to implement a 75-acre prescribed grazing system to increase soil health and reduce farm-based greenhouse gas emissions.

Awarded projects focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting energy savings and soil health. 

One project awarded also focuses on water management to mitigate the effects of periods of drought on crops and livestock following last summer’s severe dry conditions.
 
The Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program is funded through the state’s Environmental Protection Fund. During Earth Week in April 2015, $1.4 million in awards were announced through the first round of the program to support 11 projects on farms across five regions. 

All 11 projects are currently underway to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate water and soil quality concerns.

"This funding will help protect and preserve New York's natural resources by supporting farms and addressing the unpredictable conditions and challenges of climate change," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

"As New York continues to lead the nation in environmental protection, these grants not only build on our efforts to create a cleaner, greener, more resilient state – they address the priorities of Central New York and the region’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative blueprint to grow the agricultural industry and boost the economy," he said.
 
"This past summer, New York farms saw unprecedented drought conditions, with many suffering crop loss and increased costs," said Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball. "This program will help farmers better manage for droughts and floods that are becoming more common, while reducing their environmental footprint and protecting our surrounding natural resources."
 
"The drought of 2016 was the second major drought in our area in four years. Not only will these two new sources of water keep farms and livestock hydrated, they will benefit fish and other aquatic life by not removing water from streams," said Mark Burger, executive director of the Onondaga County Soil and Water Conservation District. 

"This will allow for the stream levels to be as deep as possible and for the water temperatures to ultimately be colder for aquatic life. These two new farm ponds will also provide additional water for fire protection in their rural communities," Burger said.

Funding also was provided to some Southern Tier farms. Read that story at https://www.morningagclips.com/funding-for-southern-tier-farms/?utm_content=articles&utm_campaign=NLCampaign&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_term=newsletteredition&utm_medium=email this link.

In Western New York, the following projects were funded:

Projects awarded in the Finger Lakes region include:

Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District

• $145,981 – The district will work with three farms to install water and sediment control basins and associated practices to direct, slow, and diffuse concentrated water flows. This will also reduce all forms of erosion and reduce soil loss, sediment delivery, and nutrient and pathogen runoff to nearby waterways.

• $226,500 – The district will work with one farm to install a sustainable irrigation system to help the farm be more resilient in overcoming drought conditions on 500 acres of the farm’s most vulnerable soils. This will allow the farm to improve crop cover and density, which are key components to building carbon rich healthy soils.

• $32,010 – The district will work with one farm to implement a pond expansion to improve resiliency during drought conditions and ensure the farm has a continuous supply of water in the future. It will also prevent the need to truck supplemental water to the farm and hold higher rates of runoff water that would otherwise impact downstream communities.

Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District

$44,790 – The District will work with three farms to implement soil health practice systems, including implementing 500 acres of cover crops to build healthy soils and improve soil carbon sequestration. As a result, the projects will also reduce farm-based greenhouse gas emissions and improve resiliency to the farm during periods of flood and drought. 

March 31 is the Deadline to Apply for Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program Grants

From GOV. ANDREW CUOMO’S OFFICE
 
A total of $14 million in grants was announced Jan. 27 to address qater quality challenges on farms in critical watersheds.
 
The grants, funded through the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program, are available to protect soil and water resources on farms across New York state. New York has dedicated $79 million to the program since 2011.
 
The Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program is funded in the 2016-17 budget through the state Environmental Protection Fund, which the governor proposes to continue in this year’s budget at $300 million – the highest level in the program’s history.
 
The program complements the proposed $2 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, which would provide additional funding for source water quality protection initiatives, including projects to ensure proper management and storage of manure on farms across the state.
 
“Our farmers do all they can to be good stewards of their land and remain committed to the environment,” said state Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball. “This funding will help prevent water pollution, reduce erosion and limit harmful sediments and other nutrients in New York’s waterways, while supporting the growth of the agricultural community.”
 
County Soil and Water Conservation Districts can apply for Round 23 of the Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control grant program on behalf of farmers through the state Department of Agriculture and Markets website at http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS.html this link.
 
Grants will be awarded to the districts to help farms with environmental planning; including the implementation of management systems, planting vegetation along streams to intercept runoff, and planting cover crops after the annual harvest to protect the soil.
 
To apply, all appropriate materials must be submitted through the state Soil and Water Conservation Committee SharePoint website by March 31.
 
For additional details about this program and other natural resource protection programs, contact the local County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Farm Tours Set for Aug. 29 in Oswego County

Friday Aug. 23 is the deadline to sign up for tours of two Oswego County farms to see how they protect the nearby Oneida Lake watershed.

The tours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 29. To register, call Erica Schreiner at 592-9663 or email her at erica.schreiner@oswegosoilandwater.com

The tours are sponsored by the Oswego County Soil and Water Conservation District. Attendees will tour the Spoon Dairy in Amboy at 10 a.m. and then head to Holst Hill Cattle in Constantia. Lunch will be served at Holst Hill Cattle.

Attendees will be able to see recently installed agricultural practiced designed to protect water quality.

 

Environmental Groups Sue State Over Dairy Farm Regulations

The regs were put in place to bolster the state's growing yogurt industry. But some environmental groups says the regs go too far and violate the Clean Water Act.

Go to http://online.wsj.com/article/APa958f8dae101401fa5a47a3778265d65.html to see the story.

Western Watershed Enhancement Partnership to Restore Forest Lands, Protect Water

This week's column from Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack:

This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior announced a new effort – the Western Watershed Enhancement Partnership – to enhance our forests and protect America’s water supply. 

This is important for anyone who pays a water bill, and it’s important for the future of our environment.

Americans in our cities depend on clean water at the tap, and our farmers and ranchers rely on water to irrigate their crops and sustain livestock. Our public lands are very important in this regard. In fact, our National Forests and interior lands provide water for more than 60 million Americans.

When forests are healthy, they filter rain and snowmelt, regulate runoff and slow soil erosion – delivering clean water at lower cost. But a changing climate threatens a greater risk for severe wildfires that release sediment, debris and ash into streams and rivers. 

Ultimately, these impacts of wildfire make it tougher to clean the water at treatment plants. Water companies are forced to make expensive repairs to equipment and those costs are passed on to water consumers.

The Western Watershed Enhancement Partnership will bring together the U.S. Forest Service, the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation, local partners and private water users to restore forest lands in a proactive way. 

By bringing together land and water managers from across the west, we can increase forest resiliency, improve water quality, and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. This promises healthier forests, and savings for water users.

The new partnership was highlighted recently in President Obama’s Climate Action Plan – which calls for such proactive measures to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure and reduce the impacts of a changing climate.

This week’s announcement also complements USDA’s many other efforts to conserve America’s natural resources. To ensure strong natural resource conservation in the years to come, USDA will continue to encourage Congressional passage of a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill. Farmers, landowners and forest owners need a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill to make effective use of limited conservation funds, while building on record conservation efforts underway today.

USDA is ready to combat the impacts of climate change, and put the environment on track to a healthy future. We’ll keep working together with our partners across the country to protect America’s natural resources – and we will continue to encourage Congress to achieve passage of a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill as soon as possible.

Natural Resources Conservation Services Works to Protect Water Quality

Check out what the http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/home/?cid=STELPRDB1097524 Natural Resources Conservation Service is doing to protect water quality.