Senator Rachel May (D-Onondaga, Madison, Oneida) is proud to announce the allocation of over $1 million in funding for farm infrastructure in Onondaga and Madison Counties.
The award is part of third-round funding of the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Waste Storage and Transfer System Program, which helps farmers better manage and store nutrients on their property, such as manure, to protect groundwater and nearby waterways. This investment is part of the Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 which allocated $2.5 billion for protecting drinking water, wastewater infrastructure, and other water quality protections.
New York State has more than 500 CAFO farms, most of which are dairy farms with 300 or more cows.
Funding helps farmers offset costs for projects that meet DEC requirements for protecting our waterways and drinking water. There has been an increased frequency of harmful algal blooms in Central New York lakes, especially the Finger Lakes which are drinking water sources for much of Upstate. The farms in Onondaga County lie within the Onondaga and Otisco watersheds.
“We know that comprehensive protection of our drinking water and waterways requires help from our farmers,” said Senator Rachel May. “Dairy farmers are facing challenges in today’s market and we must provide assistance so that they can construct and maintain best management practices for the health and safety of all residents. This funding demonstrates New York State’s dedication to providing supports for our farmers to continue being good stewards of the land.”