New York is making $16.8 million available through its Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program to help farms prepare for severe weather, improve soil and water quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Applications are due Nov. 23, 2026, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.
The funding was announced during Climate Week NYC and comes through the state Environmental Protection Fund. For farmers in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, the program could support practical projects aimed at challenges already familiar to agriculture: heavy rain, flooding, drought, temperature swings and soil protection.
What is the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program?
The Climate Resilient Farming, or CRF, program is a New York State grant initiative that funds farm projects designed to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and help farms withstand extreme weather. The 2026 funding round is the program’s tenth.
“It is important that we continue to position our farmers with the right resources to adapt to a changing climate,” Hochul said. She said the program can help farmers strengthen their operations while protecting natural resources and supporting the future of New York agriculture.
Four funding tracks are available
The state has organized the latest round into four tracks, allowing projects to focus on different farm needs.
1. Livestock management
This track covers manure and methane management as well as precision feed management. The state says eligible projects are intended to reduce methane emissions and make farms more resilient during major precipitation events.
2. Adaptation and resiliency
This funding is aimed at helping agricultural producers prepare for changing weather conditions, including floods, drought and extreme temperature fluctuations. For farms that have experienced washed-out fields, saturated soils or prolonged dry periods, resilience investments can become part of long-term business planning.
3. Healthy Soils NY
The Healthy Soils track supports systems and best-management practices that improve soil health and agroforestry. State officials say healthy-soil practices can increase water-holding capacity, improve nutrient recycling and store carbon in the soil.
4. Agricultural forestry management
The fourth track supports forest management and tree planting on agricultural land, with the goal of increasing carbon storage while improving the long-term management of farm landscapes.
Why the program matters to Upstate New York
Agriculture remains an important part of the economy and landscape across Upstate New York. Farms must manage weather risk while also dealing with fuel, equipment, labor and other operating costs. Grants can help cover projects that may strengthen a farm over time but can be difficult to finance entirely through normal operating revenue.
The program is not limited to one type of agricultural operation. Its four tracks cover livestock, soil, water, forestry and weather resilience, giving local conservation professionals and farmers several possible approaches.
New York Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball said demand for the program has increased among Soil and Water Conservation Districts and farmers. He encouraged local districts to work with producers interested in applying.
How farmers can pursue the funding
Farmers interested in the grants should begin by contacting their local Soil and Water Conservation District. The state’s announcement specifically encourages conservation districts to work with farmers on applications.
- Identify the farm’s biggest climate or conservation challenge.
- Contact the local Soil and Water Conservation District to discuss eligibility and project design.
- Determine which of the four CRF funding tracks best fits the project.
- Develop the required project information and cost estimates with the appropriate local partners.
- Complete the application process before the Nov. 23, 2026 deadline.
Because grant rules and eligible costs can be detailed, farmers should rely on the current state program documents and their conservation district rather than assuming a planned purchase or construction project will qualify.
Balancing environmental goals with farm realities
Climate and agricultural policy can generate debate, particularly when new environmental requirements increase costs for producers. This program takes a different approach by offering public funding for voluntary projects intended to provide both environmental and farm-management benefits.
Supporters point to benefits such as healthier soil, better water management and reduced exposure to severe weather. Farmers and taxpayers, however, also have reason to watch how grants are awarded and whether funded projects produce measurable improvements. Clear eligibility standards, technical assistance and transparent reporting are important to maintaining confidence in the program.
Deadline is November 23
The application deadline is Monday, Nov. 23, 2026. Farmers who may be interested should begin conversations with their Soil and Water Conservation District well before that date, especially if a proposal requires engineering, estimates or other technical planning.
For the Mohawk Valley, where dairy, livestock, crop and diversified farms remain part of the region’s identity and economy, the new funding round is worth reviewing. A well-designed resilience project can potentially protect both a farm business and the soil and water resources surrounding it.
Source: Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul, Sept. 24, 2026.
