Farmers in St. Lawrence County now have access to $52.5 million available through the state’s Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program to protect valuable and at-risk farmland.

According to a press release from the governor’s office the program will distribute funds to each of the state's 10 economic development regions, with $5 million being allocated to each region.

"Preserving farmland for the next generation is a goal of every farmer. Today's announcement will expand opportunities across the state for farms to take part in this important program, providing economic support and helping to ensure prime farmland stays productive,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher of Madrid.

Municipalities, counties, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and land trusts are eligible to apply for grants of up to $2 million each to help offset the costs of individual conservation easement projects that protect viable agricultural land from being converted to non-agricultural use, the press release said.

For the first time ever, eligibility criteria for the program have been adjusted to include the agroforestry, equine, and wine sectors, reflecting New York's diverse agricultural industry. In addition, other closely aligned State goals have been integrated into the eligibility criteria to allow multiple objectives for certain projects, including food security, climate resiliency, and source water protection.

Another first for the program, an incentive payment is now available to participating landowners whose project specifically incorporates climate resiliency or source water protection. Soil health assessments are also now an eligible project cost, said the press release.

There is no application deadline and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until available funds have been awarded to eligible projects.

All farmland protection project applications must be submitted electronically through the New York State Grants Gateway. For more information regarding the Grants Gateway can be found online at https://grantsgateway.ny.gov/IntelliGrants_NYSGG/module/nysgg/goportal.aspx.