Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District
100 Grange Place, Room 202, Cortland, NY 13045
Phone: (607) 756-5991 • Fax: (607) 756-0029
SWCD...established to promote the conservation and wise use of our county’s natural resources
Agricultural Grant Funding Available For Cortland County Farms
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has announced a
Request for Proposals for Round 21 of the Agricultural Nonpoint Source (Ag NPS)
Abatement and Control Program. Approximately 12 million dollars has been
included in this year’s budget designated to the Ag NPS program. This grant
program supports Cortland County’s Agricultural Environmental Management
(AEM) Strategic Plan by funding planning and implementation practices.
Agricultural operations wishing to apply for funding to implement
conservation practices MUST contact the SWCD office at 607-756-5991 no later
than February 11th if they intend to participate. Timely notification by producers is
crucial in order to collect the information necessary to develop a strong grant
proposal. Additional information will be provided about prerequisites for the grant
application process at that time. Most importantly, an up to date AEM Tier 3 plan
or Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) is needed to participate.
This policy ensures that appropriate Best Management Practices are being
implemented in the most suitable places to meet both environmental needs and the
farms’ management objectives. Farms that do not have a current AEM Tier 3 plan
or CNMP and wish to be eligible for future grant funding should contact the
SWCD for assistance.
During the last two rounds of the Ag NPS program, the Cortland County Soil
and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has secured over 1 million dollars in
cost share funding. That funding, along with the dedicated commitment of
resources from local farms, will enable more than 1.5 million dollars in
conservation projects to be implemented across Cortland County. These projects
help farms recycle and reuse on farm nutrients in an environmentally sound
manner, help control soil erosion and aid in the protection of water resources.
These projects also benefit our local economy. According to a recent survey
by the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, well over 90
percent of grant dollars spent on conservation projects were reinvested back into
the local and regional economy. Local contractors are hired to implement the
projects and supplies are purchased from area businesses that spend this money
locally on labor, materials and equipment. In addition to the positive local
economic impacts, participation in conservation programs helps foster a positive
and active relationship between Cortland County agriculture, local supporting
agencies, the community, and the environment. Call SWCD now to find out more
about how your farm can be involved.