Governor Kathy Hochul has announced record funding for agricultural stewardship programs; $28.75 million is now available for on-farm projects through the Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) grant program. Round 8 of CRF, included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, provides critical funding that helps New York’s farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect water, ensure soil health, and increase on-farm resiliency to the effects of a changing climate. Under the CRF program, various funding tracks are available to support livestock management, water management, erosion control, soil health ..read more

Enhancing resilience: Mini-grants up to $2000 are available for soil health projects in rural and urban areas By Kitty Gifford The New York Soil Health Initiative announces the opening of 2024 Soil Health Mini-Grant applications. Following the success of previous years, the program continues its commitment to supporting projects aimed at enhancing soil health across New York State. In 2023, the New York Soil Health Initiative supported 13 organizations across 12 counties, facilitating soil health research, extension, and outreach activities that reached over 400 individuals. “As we enter our ..read more

The New York Soil Health initiative is pleased to announce the rebranding of the Soil Health Trailer, a dynamic educational tool designed to promote sustainable soil management practices. Developed initially by Fay Benson of Cornell Cooperative Extension, the trailer has been integrated into the initiative’s efforts to enhance soil health awareness across the state. The Soil Health Trailer is a mobile laboratory equipped with an interactive simulator showcasing the impact of rainfall on different soil types. This visually engaging presentation effectively demonstrates the positive effects of ..read more

Wind machine at a New York orchard. Wind machines mix the cold air near the ground with warmer air from higher up, raising the temperature of the air around the trees and reducing the risk of frost damage. Photo by Deborah Aller By Blaine Friedlander New York’s farmers are facing more extreme weather caused by climate change and they are learning to adapt, according to the agriculture chapter of the new statewide climate impacts assessment, led and written by two Cornell researchers. “We need to be adapting,” said Deborah Aller, extension associate in the Soil Health Program, School of ..read more

Micheal Glos, local farmer and a Cornell technician in the NY Soil Health Program. Photo by Matt Ryan By  A survey of farmers in four Northeast states, including New York, found that incentive payments encouraged participants to plant twice as many acres of cover crops as they did prior to receiving funds – a change that can both improve their farms and mitigate climate change. These incentive programs also had a lasting effect, with many farmers continuing the practice even after payments ceased.   Thomas Bjorkman, professor emeritus of vegetable crop physiology. Credit: Matthew ..read more

On July 19, 2023, the Capital Area Agricultural & Horticultural Program (CAAHP) Team hosted a self-drive Soil Health Tour & BBQ. Farms in northern Rensselaer and southern Washington Counties were the focus of the event. Livestock, dairy, cut flower, vegetable and Christmas tree farms were available for people to visit and see how local farmers are working to improve their soil health. Read here for info on farms visited. The Soil Health Farm Tour and BBQ was sponsored by the New York Soil Health Initiative and Cornell Small Farms Farm Ops. Descriptions of the farms visited are here. O ..read more

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball today, in partnership with Cornell Soil Health Lab, announced soil testing is available for community gardens through the 2024 New York State Community Gardens Soil Testing Program. The initiative was announced in Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2023 State of the State plan as recommended by the Community Gardens Task Force in its 2023 Annual Report, and will allow eligible food-producing community garden members in New York State to send soil samples for testing up to one time per year without charge. Co ..read more

By Kitty Gifford Watch the webinar recording here and contribute to the public comment period now open As the agricultural community seeks to enhance soil health in response to the Soil Health and Climate Resiliency Act, the New York Soil Health initiative presents its latest policy brief, “Soil Health Benchmarks for New York State Farms.” The brief introduces policy considerations for voluntary soil health metrics, providing benchmarks reflective of the state’s diverse agricultural landscape. The Soil Health and Climate Resiliency Act (Senate: S4722A/House: A5386A), signed into law ..read more

Elements of a production environment that impact soil health can generally be grouped into three major factors based on natural and human factors: natural (inherent) properties, land use systems, and management practices.   The New York Soil Health Program has released its newest policy brief, providing critical insights into soil health and agricultural practices. Understanding Soil Health We all know that healthy soils are the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture and a key player in environmental protection. But what exactly drives soil health, and how can we enhance it? These are t ..read more