New York State

Soil & water CoNServatioN DiStriCtS

2018 aNNual report

In 2018, SWCDs developed forestry management plans on 10,800 acres of private forests and

managed 19,800 acres of county-owned forests.

2,010 acres of riparian buffers were established in 2018 by Soil & Water Conservation Districts.

Soil & water CoNServatioN DiStriCtS New York’s 58 Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) provide programs and

services to conserve, enhance, and protect soil and water resources across the State.

proteCtiNg NY’S SoilS

5,728 acres of soil health practices implemented in 2018

1,612 tonnes*carbon sequestered

Cover CropS

• reduce soil erosion• help retain soil

moisture• sequester carbon

*Derived from COMET Planner (Mg CO2E per acre per year)

Franklin SWCD worked with the Adirondack Education Center to teach students the importance of forest

health by monitoring tree growth (above). Chenango SWCD established riparian buffers on a Town park in

Bainbridge (right).

SWCDs spent $1.2 million

to manage invasive species in 2018

9.3 million poundsof aquatic invasive

species were removed from waterways

proteCtiNg NY’S waterS

27.6 milesof streambank protected and

stabilized to prevent erosion

15,853 practitioners

educated on stormwater issues

Rolled erosion control blanket installed on a streambank by

Monroe SWCD (above). SWCDs assist landowners to extend the growing season by building high

tunnels (below).

Mobile billboard by Albany SWCD (top left). Hamilton SWCDs District Manager dressed as Munchy the

Asian Longhorned Beetle to educate the community on invasive species

(top right).

Rockland SWCD District Manager examines samples collected to assess water quality for DECs Professional External Evaluations of Rivers and Streams (PEERS) program

(above). Hamilton SWCD assessed the water quality of the Sacandaga River with sixth graders at Wells Central School based on benthic macroinvertebrates found in the river

(below).

agriCultural NoNpoiNt SourCe graNt program

The Agricultural Nonpoint Source (AgNPS) grant program awarded its 24th round of fund-ing in 2018. A total of $17.4 mil-lion was awarded to 27 Soil & Water Conservation Districts to implement best management practice systems on 131 farms across New York State. Projects include improving manure management, planting ripari-an buffers, excluding livestock from hydrologically sensitive areas, capturing milking center waste, and protecting stream channels.

In 2018, 51 contracts were completed. Through the successful completion of these contracts, the following accomplishments were achieved:

• Approximately 261 best man-agement practice systems were completed on 182 farms across New York State.

• $7.9 million in State funding was invested in conservation practices.

BeSt maNagemeNt praCtiCe HigHligHt

Cover crops are integral to prevent-ing or reducing erosion. They ab-sorb excess nutrients, filter surface water and ground water, build soil organic matter, reduce weeds, com-bat pests, and sequester carbon dioxide emissions in the soil. Soils high in organic matter hold and re-tain more moisture for crop demand through the growing season. Since 2008, the AgNPS grant program has

cost-shared the implementation of approximately 58,000 acres of cover crops across 26 counties.

Climate reSilieNt FarmiNg graNt program

The Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) grant program awarded $2.2 million for the implementa-tion of best management prac-tice systems on 31 farms across the state in 2018. The CRF pro-gram helps farms reduce their operational impact on the envi-ronment through mitigation and better prepare for and recover after extreme weather events

through adaptation measures. Cli-mate change increases the risk for soil erosion, reduced soil quality, lower agricultural productivity, manure spills and other pollution events, and has the potential to ulti-mately impact food security.

Since 2015, the State has provided $5.1 million to 40 projects. Projects focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, and soil health. They also promote energy savings, increase irrigation capacity, and emphasize water management to mitigate the effects of periods of drought on crops and livestock as well as heavy rainfall during extreme weather. The prac-tices implemented will sequester approximately 12,988* tonnes of CO2 equivalent per acre per year or the equivalent of removing 2,758 cars from the road for one year.

*Derived from COMET Planner

Washington SWCD helped Woody Hill Farm implement cover crops.

Jim Greenfield of Greenfield Farms promotes the use of cover crops to retain moisture and prevent erosion. The Greenfields work with

Onondaga SWCD to plant cover crops on their farm in the Skaneateles Lake watershed.

aem Framework

The New York State Agricultural En-vironmental Management (AEM) framework supports farmers in their efforts to protect water quality and conserve natural resources while enhancing farm viability. The AEM framework, administered by the NYS Soil & Water Conservation Commit-tee under the leadership of the De-partment of Agriculture and Markets, is implemented at the local level by county Soil & Water Conservation Districts. AEM is the umbrella pro-gram that efficiently identifies envi-ronmental concerns through a com-prehensive whole-farm assessment and matches these identified needs with existing financial opportunities for farms of all sizes and commod-ities. Participation by farmers in the

AEM program is voluntary, but those that become involved are eligible to receive financial assistance through grant programs used to develop conservation plans and implement conservation practices.

aem BaSe FuNDiNg program

Year 13 of the AEM Base funding program provided $2.33 million in non-competitive funding to Soil & Water Conservation Districts who have developed five-year coun-ty-level AEM strategic plans. This allowed SWCDs to introduce 427 farms into the AEM program in 2018 and increase conservation planning while protecting past investments through conservation plan updates and BMP assessments.

aSSiStiNg NY’S FarmS iN 2018

$2.33 millionin statewide funding to SWCDs to provide

technical assistance for outreach, planning, and implementation of BMPs

427 farms were introduced into the

AEM program

280 whole-farm environmental

assessments conducted

227 farm conservation plans

developed

236 farms implemented conservation

BMP systems

583 farms had updates completed for

whole-farm assessments, conservation plans, and

BMP evaluations

55,400 hours of technical assistance were provided to farms

to assess and plan conservation BMPs

statewideSeneca Lake Vineyard with grass strips in between rows of grapes to prevent soil

erosion.

Grazing workshop led by Troy Bishopp of Madison SWCD reviewed what a grazing

plan is and how to use it (above and below).

NYS growN & CertiFieD program The New York State Grown & Cer-tified (NYSGC) program is now in its third year and continues to be the only statewide marketing program to certify safe food han-dling along with environmental stewardship, which differenti-ates NY products in the market-place. Soil & Water Conservation Districts play an integral role in supporting NYSGC, as an AEM Tier 2 whole-farm assessment is required of all producers to en-ter the program. In addition to the farm meeting the require-ments of participating in AEM, the Tier 2 assessment opens the door for the farm to receive technical and financial assis-tance from their local Soil & Water Conservation District and associated grant pro-grams, which can further environmental stewardship efforts at the farm level.

Commissioner Ball welcomes tree farmers to the NYS Grown & Certified Program.

NYS aem awarD wiNNer: Lakewood Farms and Lakewood Vineyards, located in Watkins Glen, Schuyler County, was the recipient of the 2018 NYS Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Award. Each year, the award honors a NYS farm for its outstanding efforts to protect the environment through the conservation of soil and water quality and to ensure the next generation of farming. This is the first time a vineyard has been recognized with this long-standing award.

Lakewood Farms and Lakewood Vineyards has worked with Schuyler Soil & Water Conservation District to implement various practices that improve soil health and protect water quality in neighboring Seneca Lake. That includes cover cropping with fast-germinating rye and mulching hay, both of which stabilize soil, replace nutrients, and retain moisture in the ground.

Since 1951, the farm has grown from 52 acres to 85 acres while cutting use of farm inputs nearly in half. They use a weather station that’s connected to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) data and regulated flow sprayers with reduced drift nozzles for pesticide application. The farm was one of the first to compost grape pomace with horse manure to create fertilizer and build organic matter in the soil. The award-winning winery boasts 15 grape varieties and 100,000 gallons of production.

New York State

growN & CertiFieD

510,000 acres on 2,381 farms

are NYSGC

17 commodities are eligible for NYSGC

12 retailers sell NYSGC products

Commissioner Ball honors Lakewood Farms and Lakewood Vineyards as the 2018 NYS AEM award winner

(left).

NYS HaBS iNitiative aND SummitS

New York launched an aggres-sive campaign in 2018 to address the threat of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and began the implemen-tation of a $65 million, four-point initiative to combat HABs. Twelve priority lakes that are vulnerable to HABs are critical sources of drinking water and are vital tourism drivers were chosen as priority waterbodies. They represent a wide range of conditions and vulnerabilities. The lessons learned while combating HABs in the priority watersheds will be applied to other im-pacted waterbodies. The campaign in-cluded convening four HABs Summits where the NYS Soil & Water Conservation Com-mittee, SWCDs, and farmers provided expertise on con-servation planning and im-plementation and challenges in combating HABs. The NYS Soil & Water Conservation Committee and SWCDs were also represented on Steering Committees that developed action plans for each of the 12 HABs waterbodies. As the local “boots on the ground” conservationists, SWCD staff were able to identify techni-cal and financial needs in the lake watersheds.

aem For waterSHeD plaNS aND implemeNtatioN: Local Soil & Water Conservation District AEM Strategies and Annual

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)Action Plans continue to directly serve local watershed needs. This approach employed by SWCDs has been used to document conser-vation progress with farms as well as set watershed-wide goals with local, state, and federal partners in every major basin in the State. During 2018, SWCDs provided AEM

input to the nine HABs plans with agricultural components across the State. Their AEM strategies and asso-ciated accomplishments and goals provided a ready, resource-based foundation for the agricultural sector portions of the HAB plans.

Photos (clockwise from the top): Governor Cuo-mo speaking at the HABs Summit at SUNY New Paltz. Cover crops field sign. Pan-el of farmers, SWCDs, and other experts speaking at the HABs Summit at Mon-roe Community College in Rochester. Honeoye Lake was one of 12 priority lakes to have a HABs Action Plan developed.

State Aid to Conservation DistrictsproteCtiNg water QualitY aND Natural reSourCeS

The NYS Soil & Water Conser-vation Committee administers State aid funding to 58 Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) through the NYS En-vironmental Protection Fund. In 2018, SWCDs received $10 million to support technical assistance and conservation programs. Projects supported by State aid include assisting schools, communities, and mu-nicipalities with agricultural and natural resource conservation practices. For example:

• St. Lawrence SWCD part-nered with BOCES and Cor-nell Cooperative Extension to educate students and the community on how to establish and maintain an orchard. Students planted 103 apple, pear, and plum seedlings (pictured top left). Different varieties and siz-es of each were planted to demonstrate different grow-ing techniques.

• Cortland SWCD aided two schools in setting up composting programs di-verting 40 pounds of food waste per week. Marathon Central School held an Agri-cultural Fair where compost-ing education was provided to the students (pictured middle left).

• Chenango SWCD worked with local towns and land-owners to plant riparian for-est buffers along stream cor-ridors. Riparian forest buffers reduce runoff, protect water quality, and improve wildlife habitat (pictured left).

• Albany SWCD worked with Berne Knox Westerlo School to rehabili-tate an educational trail on school property for science lessons and recreational opportunities. The high school’s Geometry & Tech-nology classes built and installed bog bridges to prevent further ero-sion and allow access to a stream behind their school (pictured top right).

• Monroe SWCD installed willow stakes and rolled erosion control blankets to a streambank that was regraded and stabilized. The project will save an estimated 6.7 million pounds of sediment from entering Salmon Creek over the lifespan of the project (pictured top left next page).

• Erosion and sediment are threats to water quality. To prevent erosion, many SWCDs work with farmers and municipalities to cover bare soils. Hydroseeding or critical area seeding is the planting of a conser-vation seed mix whereby the roots then hold the soil in place prevent-ing erosion. SWCDs provide assis-tance with critical area seeding of

The 2018 NYS Envirothon Compe-tition took place May 23rd-24th at Hobart and William Smith Col-leges. Forty-five teams from across New York State went head-to-head over their knowledge of en-vironmental science and natural resource management during the two-day competition. The teams, made up of five 9th to 12th grad-ers each, qualified at the regional level and received invitations to the state competition.

The team from Mount Acade-my in Ulster County was named New York State Champions at the

long-standing environmental sci-ence competition, which challeng-es students on their knowledge of natural resource science, public speaking, and civic engagement. Cuba-Rushford Central School in Allegany County and Skaneateles High School in Onondaga County were awarded second and third place.

Mount Academy won the Nation-al Conservation Foundation (NCF) Envirothon in Idaho in July 2018 against 50 student teams from the US, Canada, and China.

NYS eNvirotHoN

High school students participating in the 2018 NYS Envirothon.

road ditches, streambanks, mine land reclamation, and conservation best management practices. Fulton SWCD aided the Town of Ephratah to hydroseed four acres of a rock quarry to reclaim and restore a portion no longer be-ing mined (pictured middle left).

• SWCDs across the state, including Clinton, Dutchess, Suf-folk, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Essex, and Jefferson, are helping communities and farms recycle tires of various sizes. More than 15,300 tires were collected in commu-nities across the state for recycling in 2018. An addition-al 733,740 pounds of tires were removed from farms for recycling. Tires waiting to be loaded into a tractor trailer for recycling on a Suffolk County farm are pictured bottom left.

• Nassau SWCD assisted the Town of Oyster Bay to purchase a shellfish seed sorter to support the town’s shellfish pro-gram. Millions of clams and oysters are raised from seed, and work to assist in cleaning the harbor while also pro-viding food to local restaurants and many residents (pic-tured below).

www.NYS-SoilandWater.org

NYS Soil & water CoNServatioN Committee

The New York State Soil & Water Conservation Committee works to advance comprehensive natural resource management through the support of local Soil & Water Conservation Districts.

The NYS Soil & Water Conservation Committee operates under the leadership of the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets to establish policy, foster partnerships, and support diverse Conservation District programming.

The NYS Soil & Water Conservation Committee and partners work to benefit the public through:

- Water Quality Management - Flood Resiliency - Wildlife, Habitats, & Open Spaces

- Agricultural Stewardship - Climate Resilient Farming - Environmental Education

- Stormwater Management - Invasive Species Management - Stream Restoration

2018 NYS Soil & water CoNServatioN Committee:

Dale Stein (Farm Interests, Committee Chair), David Brass (NYS Grange), Ronald Montesi (New York Association of Conservation Districts), Darin Hickling (NY Farm Bureau), and Erica Goodman (Urban-Suburban and Rural Interests)

aDviSorY memBerS:Cornell Cooperative Extension

Cornell UniversityNYS Conservation District Employees’ Association

NYS Department of Agriculture and MarketsNYS Department of Environmental Conservation

NYS Department of HealthNYS Department of State

SUNY ESFUSDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

tHiS report iS DeDiCateD iN memorY oF BoarD memBer roNalD moNteSi

Ronald Montesi was a devoted Voting Member of the New York State Soil & Water Conservation Committee (SWCC) from June 2016 until his passing in March 2019. The

SWCC was fortunate to get to know and work with Ron to advance conservation in New York State. His contribution and vision for the future of Soil & Water Conservation

Districts will be missed.