Farmers question Hochul’s $30M tariff relief plan
Governor Hochul's $30 million aid proposal for New York farmers is drawing mixed reactions — and lots of questions, according to the Times Union. The plan would offer direct payments to offset tariff-related losses, especially ... more
NY farms face higher fertilizer costs in 2026: why
If you farm in New York, fertilizer pricing in 2026 probably feels like it has more moving parts than it used to. Even when the posted price per ton looks steady from one week to ... more
State rolls out food processing grants
New York is putting new money behind local food and fiber production as part of a broader push to strengthen the state’s agricultural supply chain. Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday that $8.5 million is now ... more
REPORT: Federal shifts put NY farms at risk
New York farms face growing financial pressure as federal policy changes ripple through agriculture, according to a new report from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The analysis warns that cuts to food programs, tighter immigration ... more
Farming gains help curb emissions
Bigger harvests haven’t meant dirtier air, thanks to farm efficiency gains, according to a new study from Cornell University researchers. The analysis shows productivity growth has kept agricultural emissions from rising as fast as output, ... more
What are autoflower seeds?
Autoflower seeds are cannabis seeds that flower based on age instead of light cycles. Regular cannabis plants need specific hours of darkness to start flowering, autoflowers just do it automatically after a few weeks. This ... more
NY farmers, rural organizations receive grants amid financial challenges
New York farms and rural organizations are receiving grants meant to give them a financial boost during challenging times. Farm Aid end-of-year grants provide more than $1 million to farm and agricultural organizations nationwide. They ... more
Riley backs farm safety bill
A new push in Congress aims to prevent deadly farm accidents by making tractors safer, according to WIVT. Rep. Josh Riley unveiled the bipartisan Tractor Safety Act to expand access to rollover protection for older ... more
New York boosts farmland protection funding
New York is committing a record $67 million to protect working farmland as development pressure and climate risks continue to grow across the state. The funding will be distributed through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grants ... more
Seedlings now available through county program
Livingston County residents can now order trees and shrubs for spring planting through a long-running conservation program. The Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting orders for its Conservation Tree and Shrub Seedling ... more
Farm Bureau reverses stance on sewage sludge use
The New York Farm Bureau now opposes spreading sewage sludge on farmland unless it's tested for PFAS and heavy metals, citing health concerns, according to Spectrum News. The policy shift follows their annual convention, where ... more
Williamson family honored as top fruit growers
The DeMarree family of Williamson has been named Good Fruit Growers of the Year for 2025 after decades of innovation and leadership in apple farming, according to Good Fruit Growers Magazine. Tom and Alison DeMarree ... more
Riley demands USDA relief reach small farms, not Wall Street-backed ag giants
Rep. Josh Riley is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make sure its latest $16 billion in disaster relief funding goes to the right place: struggling family farms—not big agriculture corporations or investment funds ... more
Farmland loss, solar development raise alarms in Albany
As the holiday season nears — a time when many families gather around tables filled with local produce and dairy — lawmakers in Albany are sounding the alarm over the future of farming in New ... more
Emerging farmers ask NY lawmakers for more help
New York lawmakers heard from young and first-time farmers this week, as demand for state support far outpaces funding, according to Spectrum News 1. One program had just $800,000 last year — with $22 million ... more
Ontario County opens farmland district enrollment
Landowners in Ontario County have a one-month window this fall to apply for added protection of their farmland. The county’s open enrollment period for Consolidated Agricultural District No. 1 runs from Nov. 1 through Nov ... more
Cayuga County soybean farm hit hard by tariffs
A top soybean farm in Cayuga County is feeling the squeeze as U.S.-China trade tensions drag on, according to The Citizen. DuMond Farms in Fleming says the Trump-era tariffs are still hurting local growers. China ... more
Seneca County farms awarded $533K for water quality upgrades
Four farms in Seneca County will soon launch major conservation projects thanks to a new $533,000 grant aimed at protecting Cayuga Lake and cutting pollution. The funding was awarded through New York State’s Agricultural Nonpoint ... more
$26M in state grants will help farms fight climate change
New York State is offering $26 million in new grant funding to help farmers cut emissions, improve water quality, and adapt to climate change. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the dual grant programs on Sept. 30 ... more
