The Peru Gazette

Applications for the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program Due Monday, November 23, 2026

Sept. 25, 2026 – During Climate Week NYC, Governor Hochul announced $16.8 million is available for projects that will help address the impacts of climate change and protect water quality across New York State through the Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) Grant Program. Funded projects aim to help New York farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect water quality, protect and enhance soil health and increase on-farm resiliency. These funding opportunities build on the Governor’s efforts to support programs and initiatives that combat climate change and support the conservation of the state’s natural resources.

“It is important that we continue to position our farmers with the right resources to adapt to a changing climate,” Governor Hochul said. “The Climate Resilient Farming Program allows our farmers to implement practices that will strengthen their operations while protecting our natural resources and supporting the future of New York agriculture.”

The CRF Program, funded through New York’s Environmental Protection Fund, focuses on helping farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon sequestration on farms and mitigate the impacts of severe weather attributed to climate change, such as increased heavy storm events, early spring frost and periods of drought. The program is now in its tenth round and funding is available in four tracks.

Track 1 – Livestock Management: Manure and Methane Management and Precision Feed Management
Projects will reduce methane emissions from the farm and increase the farm’s resiliency to major precipitation events.

Track 2 – Adaptation and Resiliency
Projects will help prepare agricultural producers for the impacts of a changing climate, such as flood events, drought and extreme temperature fluctuations.

Track 3 – Healthy Soils NY: Systems and Best Management Practices that Support Soil Health and Agroforestry
Projects will improve soil health on farms and enhance a farm’s resiliency to the impacts of climate change. Soil health practices can also create carbon sinks, increase water holding capacity and improve recycling of nitrogen by crops, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Track 4 – Agricultural Forestry Management
Projects will support forest management and tree planting on agricultural lands for carbon sequestration.

The State’s County Soil and Water Conservation Districts can apply now on behalf of farmers for these competitive grants. Proposed projects should be rooted in the New York State Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) process and support local AEM priorities. The application and additional information are available on the Department’s website.

Project proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on November 23, 2026. The CRF Program functions as part of the state’s Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) framework, a broader effort that helps farmers achieve higher levels of environmental stewardship and more efficient, cost-effective farming systems. County Soil and Water Conservation Districts use the AEM framework to assist interested farmers through planning and implementation to make science-based and cost-effective decisions. As a result, farmers can meet business goals while conserving the state’s natural resources.