Local farms in Seneca County have been awarded $1.6 million in funding to implement soil health practices as part of the New York State Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) Grant Program, announced during Climate Week. The grants will support the adoption of techniques aimed at improving soil health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigating the effects of extreme weather events.
The funding is part of a record $33 million statewide awarded in Round 8 of the CRF program. The initiative, which was launched in 2015, helps farms across New York reduce their environmental impact and adapt to the increasing frequency of severe weather. Across the state, 70 projects will be implemented on 184 farms through this round of funding.
Seneca County’s Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) secured nearly $1.4 million through the Soil Health Systems track. This will fund the use of cover crops on 13,520 acres across eight local farms over a four-year period. An additional $275,000 was awarded to the county under the Healthy Soils NY program, which will benefit five farms implementing practices that improve water infiltration, reduce erosion, and cut greenhouse gas emissions. The Healthy Soils initiative will see 1,295 acres of cover crops, 97 acres of mulch, three acres of pollinator habitat, and 14 acres of conservation cover and field borders introduced.
“These grants will play a pivotal role in helping our farmers maintain sustainable agricultural practices while protecting key natural resources like Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake, and the Clyde River,” said Erin Peruzzini, District Manager at Seneca County SWCD. “We are incredibly grateful for the state’s support and the hard work of our producers.”
Curtis Davis, District Technician at Seneca County SWCD, added that the funding is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by climate change. “These practices will greatly enhance both soil health and water quality across the county,” he said, commending local farmers for their commitment to sustainable agriculture.
In total, the soil health practices funded through these grants are expected to sequester 1,418 metric tons of carbon dioxide and prevent 902.1 pounds of phosphorus from entering local waterways annually. Over the full term of the grants, phosphorus reduction is estimated at 3,608.4 pounds, which will contribute to improving water quality in the Seneca and Cayuga Lake watersheds and the Clyde River.
This latest funding builds on previous grants awarded to Seneca County in 2023. In Round 7 of the CRF program, local farmers received over $950,000 to implement nearly 9,704 acres of cover crops and 125 acres of mulch. With the addition of the current funding, Seneca County farms will have secured over $2.6 million through 2029 for soil health practices, expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2,394 metric tons and phosphorus runoff by 7,488 pounds over the duration of the projects.
Farmers interested in participating in the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program must engage in the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) program, which promotes environmentally sustainable farming practices through voluntary participation. By joining the AEM program, farmers can make science-based decisions that enhance both their business operations and environmental stewardship.
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