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Funding: RCPP Upper Susquehanna Ag BMPs, due Aug 23

Accepting Applications for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program in the New York portion of the Upper Susquehanna Watershed.

July 25, 2024

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces the sign-up period for Farmstead Practices in the Upper Susquehanna Watershed of New York through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).  The application deadline is August 23, 2024.

This funding is part of the RCPP Upper Susquehanna Agricultural BMP Implementation Project. The RCPP uses partnerships to coordinate and target resources to address climate change, improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat, and protect agricultural viability. The Upper Susquehanna Agricultural BMP Implementation Project is focused on reducing field nutrient, sediment and pathogen loss, improving the storage and handling of pollutants, as well as improving livestock production limitations in the Upper Susquehanna Watershed portion of New York.

All applications are competitive and are ranked based on locally identified resource priorities, as well as the overall benefit to the environment. Interested landowners within the project area in New York should contact their local NRCS Service Center or their local Soil and Water Conservation District for more information.

 

Contact

Emily Dekar

(607)972-7983

dekare@tiogacountyny.gov

Farmers+EXT+TA: Free Soil Health Training August 27-28 in Canandaigua, NY

American Farmland Trust (via Aaron Ristow) has a lovely invitation:
“We are seeking applicants for the New York regional Advanced Soil Health Training (ASHT). The applications will be due June 21st. The first session begins August 27-28 in Canandaigua, New York.  Participants will be expected to attend (4) in-person 2-day trainings in the region between August 2024 and April 2025. The applications are now open. Please click on this link to access the application, and this link to review application guidelines. We’re hoping to attract a diverse applicant pool; please share the information about this training with anyone who you think might be a good fit!

The Advanced Soil Health Training (ASHT) is designed for corn, soybean, wheat, and dairy farmers and farm advisors who share an interest in improving soil health and who will share their knowledge and expertise with their clients, communities, and the next generation of farmers. We will prioritize these farms types, but all farm types/sizes should apply as we aim to fill all available spots. This hands-on curriculum combines classroom time with half-day visits to innovative local farms to see soil health practices in action.

This training will be led by soil health experts Barry Fisher, Brandon Smith, and Dennis Chessman, who have each had long careers in NRCS’ Soil Health Division, in addition to regional experts from Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, American Farmland Trust, and more. The training will address practical management challenges such as cropping systems for improved soil health; how to conduct a soil health assessment; cover crop management, (including selection, planting, termination, equipment, and more); new technologies, assessments, and products for soil health; and economic considerations. In addition to a certificate of completion, participants will also graduate with a completed Soil Health Impact Plan and guidance/resources for mentoring others in soil health practices.

This training is free of charge for all accepted applicants and includes a travel stipend to cover all costs. Although many free-soil health resources exist online, this is a unique opportunity to ask all your management questions to national and local experts in a hands-on, intensive experience. Farmers and farm advisors who choose to continue working as Soil Health Advisors will also receive a stipend for their work.

Please don’t hesitate to ask questions. I can be reached at aristow@farmland.org or (315) 748-5029.

Kind regards,

Aaron

 

Funding! Round 8 Climate Resilient Farming Grants opened for NYS landowners! $28 million

RECORD INVESTMENT IN AGRICULTURAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS

 

Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Provides Nearly $82 Million for Programs that Assist Farms to Implement Environmentally Sustainable Best Practices, Protect Soil and Water Quality, and Reduce Greenhouse Gases

 

Announces $28.75 Million is Now Available for On-Farm Projects Through the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program

 

 

Governor Kathy Hochul today, during Earth Week, announced that as part of record funding being invested in the State’s agricultural stewardship programs, $28.75 million is now available for on-farm projects through the Climate Resilient Farming grant program. Round 8 of CRF 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 Governor’s leadership, the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget provides $81.8 million through the Environmental Protection Fund, up $4 million from last year, for agricultural programs and initiatives, such as Climate Resilient Farming grant, that are helping farms to implement environmentally sustainable practices and combat climate change.

 

“Our farmers work hard to feed our communities, producing food in a way that is also thoughtful about protecting our precious natural resources,” Governor Hochul said.  “The Climate Resilient Farming grant program is providing record funding to further assist our farmers and their Soil and Water Conservation Districts to elevate water quality and help New York State meet our climate goals.”

 

New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball today visited Providence Farm Collective in Orchard Park along with a number of agricultural partners, including the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District, New York Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Erie County, the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee Chair, United States Department of Agriculture, the Western NY Land Conservancy, as well as elected officials and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for an Earth Week celebration and to announce the CRF program funding opportunity. Round 8 of the CRF program also offers record funding this year, nearly $30 million, double what was available in the last round of the program.

 

Providence Farm Collective was awarded funding through the Erie County SWCD and under Round 7 of the Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) program to install an irrigation water management system, which, when installed will promote greater environmental efficiencies, reduce greenhouse gases, and improve on-farm resiliency to extreme weather events, such as drought.  Providence Farm Collective is a non-profit farm, which supports refugee, immigrant BIPOC and under-resourced farmers in Western New York by offering access to clean, rural farmland, farming and business education, technical assistance, access to markets, and, critically important, the opportunity to farm for income through its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program.

 

During the visit, the farm shared its current environmentally sustainable farming practices, which includes growing cover crops, intercropping, and crop rotation for soil health; using high tunnels to extend the growing season; drip-line irrigation and water conservation practices; protecting its 37-acre home forever as farmland with an agricultural conservation easement, and more.

 

Funding for CRF Round 8 is provided by the State’s Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and, for the first time, additional funding is being provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its NYS Connects: Climate Smart Farms and Forests Project through the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities Program.

 

Awards will be made in the following tracks, which will assist projects related to livestock and manure management; water management and erosion control; and soil health management projects. Practices such as manure storage cover and methane capture projects, manure solid/liquid separation, prescribed grazing, cover crops, conservation tillage, irrigation, soil and water management structures, riparian buffers, tree planting, and many more are also eligible for funding.

 

  • Track 1A: Livestock Management: Alternative Waste Management & Precision Feed Management (NYS funds)
  • Track 1B: Manure Storage Cover and Methane Capture Projects (federal funds)
  • Track 2: Adaptation & Resiliency (NYS funds)
  • Track 3A: Healthy Soils NY (Systems and Best Management Practices that support soil health and agroforestry (NYS funds)
  • Track 3B: Soil Health Systems (federal funds)
  • Track 4: Agricultural Forestry Management (for carbon sequestration) (NYS funds)

 

This year’s program also includes a new funding track, Agricultural Forest Management, with approximately $1 million allocated to support healthy productive forests and afforestation on agricultural lands, goals that are a part of the New York State Climate Action Council’s Scoping Plan.

 

Through seven rounds of CRF funding to date, $36 million has been awarded to 396 farms that are estimated to deliver the equivalent of 454,000 metric tons of CO2e per year emissions reductions, equivalent to removing 108,053 cars from the road for one year.

 

The County Soil and Water Conservation Districts in NYS can apply now on behalf of farmers for these competitive grants. The application and additional information are available on the Department’s website at https://agriculture.ny.gov/funding-opportunities. Project proposals are due at 5:00 p.m. on June 24, 2024.

 

State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball said, “Visiting Providence Farm Collective today, especially during Earth Week, helps us to shine the spotlight on our farms who are using best practices to ensure environmental sustainability and combat the effects of climate change.  With more than $60 million dedicated to the CRF program since its’ launch, we are seeing our farms, along with our Soil and Water Conservation Districts, implement a variety of projects that are addressing greenhouse gas emission reductions, carbon sequestration, and helping on-farm resiliency to extreme weather. Farm by farm, we are seeing significant progress in our collective goals to combat climate change, while also supporting our producers to remain competitive, profitable, and sustainable.”

 

Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “New York’s farmers are critically important stewards of our shared environment and are valuable partners in promoting resiliency and addressing climate change through land conservation, water quality improvements, and cutting-edge best practices. Thanks to the Governor’s continued record support of the Environmental Protection Fund, DEC and our agency partners like the Department of Agriculture and Markets are providing significant resources to mitigate and adapt to our changing climate’s impacts on agriculture and across our economy.”

 

New York State Soil and Water Committee Chair Dale Stein said, “The record level of funding being offered through the Climate Resilient Farming grant program this year is an exciting opportunity for our farmers and Soil and Water Districts, who are committed to improving soil health and protecting our waterways as part of our agriculture’s shared goals to combat climate change. The hundreds of projects completed across the State so far —from cover cropping and irrigation systems to manure storage covers—are not only benefiting our environment but also helping our producers to better prepare for and recover from the increasing number of extreme weather events are facing as a result of climate change.  We saw a great example of this today at Providence Farm Collective, and hope to keep this momentum moving forward across the state.”

 

State Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “New York farmers are on the frontlines of the Climate Crisis and need our continued support to scale the most effective methods for environmental stewardship and resilience against severe weather so we can continue to have a local food supply. The Climate Resilient Farming Grant program is instrumental in this effort, helping farmers across the state build soil health and protect our air and water. We’re especially excited about a new funding track for Agricultural Forest Management, which I was proud to push for along with increased support for climate-forward agricultural programs through the EPF this year.”

 

Assemblymember Donna Lupardo said, “Agricultural stewardship programs like Climate Resilient Farming are vital to protecting NY’s natural resources through planning and promoting best practices. They help farmers develop unique on-farm solutions to combat the climate crisis and its effect on their farm operations. I am especially pleased that our Soil and Water Conservation Districts received an increase in funding to assist with their important work at the county level. A special thank you to NY’s farmers who have continued to demonstrate their commitment to protecting our natural resources.”

 

Providence Farm Collective President and Executive Director Kristin Heltman-Weiss said, “Today as we celebrate Earth Week, Providence Farm Collective farmers and Commissioner Richard Ball are shining a light on the need for environmental sustainability and resiliency in agriculture and food systems, while also uplifting the need for farms to be economically viable. Through several climate resiliency farming grants received by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Erie County Soil and Water Conservation, the Natural Resources Conservation Services, and the United States Department of Agriculture, PFC farmers have tools for managing the effects of climate change that include implementing best practices for irrigation and water management, nurturing healthy soils through cover cropping, crop rotation, onsite composting, access to no-till equipment, and minimizing tillage, installing low tunnels and high tunnels, and protecting our farmland forever through a conservation easement. In our values, mission and vision, we are committed to a holistic sustainability model that empowers and provides equitably for people, honors and cares for the health of the planet, embodies the purpose and values of the organization, and balances all of those with the need for financial viability.”

 

The State’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, through the EPF, included several agricultural initiatives, including funding for Cornell Soil Health, a $1.25 million increase for the Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and continued funding for the CRF program along with the establishment of new initiatives such as the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition, which will direct key investments into the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition of Soil and Water Conservation Districts to support agricultural and resiliency-related projects on farms. This will also include support for farmers to invest in more cover crops, improve culverts to reduce runoff, and other investments to improve soil health and reduce water quality impairments in the region.

 

About NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, in coordination with the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, administers the Climate Resilient Farming Program through its Land and Water Division, which works to protect New York’s land and water resources through farmland protection, farmland conservation, and proactive environmental stewardship. The Climate Resilient Farming Program functions as part of the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) framework, a broader effort that helps farmers achieve higher levels of environmental stewardship and more efficient, cost-effective farming systems. County Soil and Water Conservation Districts use the AEM framework to assist interested farmers through planning and implementation to make science-based and cost-effective decisions. As a result, farmers can meet business goals while conserving the state’s natural resources.

 

NRCS ops for landowners to address GHG! informational webinar Oct 25!

Join USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service for a webinar on Wednesday, October 25 at 2 p.m. ET. The webinar will cover the newly expanded list of Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities (LOOK AT THIS LIST – it’s so diverse!) available for Inflation Reduction Act funding through conservation programs offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It’ll also cover available Inflation Reduction Act and Farm Bill assistance, as well as efforts to streamline and improve programs, for fiscal year 2024. The webinar is recommended for NRCS partners and agricultural producers, and media are invited to attend.

Attendees may submit questions before the webinar during registration.

To register and join, go to: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_RcfpW9I9S-eik_NwSkuauQ

If you are landowner, be sure to contact NRCS by November 3, 2023 to get into the 2024 pool

REGISTER for Spring 2022 Webinar Series: reducing GHG using ag & forestry systems

Join us, Tuesday’s, from 9-11 am and learn about ways that farms, forests, and citizens can reduce Greenhouse Gases (GHG).

January 25: Livestock Rumen & GHG

February 8: Manure Management & GHG

March 8: Field Nitrogen & GHG

April 12: Land Use & GHG (scroll down for details)

May 10: Food Waste & GHG

More detail for each webinar, below.

 

January 25: Learn about methane emissions from livestock (enteric fermentation, rumen, methane, comparison of emissions between stall vs grazing livestock). Register here.

9am: The Magical Mystical Rumen and Dairy Cattle Sustainability presented by Dr. Larry Chase (Cornell)

Dairy cows are a biological factory that can convert a wide variety of forages and feeds into milk which is a high-quality food for humans. The key to this ability is the function of the rumen microorganisms. Many of the feeds used by the dairy cow are co-products of food processing and are not directly consumable by humans. The progress that dairy industry has made in lowering its impact on the environment and improving sustainability will be highlighted.

10am: Comparison of Confinement Vs Grazing Dairy Systems: Effect on production performance, nutrient use efficiency, and enteric methane emissions in dairy cows presented by Dr. Andre Brito (UNH)

Grazing systems perform multiple ecosystem services including food production, climate regulation, nutrient cycling, and erosion control. Consumers often associate grazing with “healthier and happy cows” and are willing to pay premiums for “grass-fed” dairy products. However, milk production and nutrient utilization generally decrease in pasture-based systems relative to confinement systems, which may reduce farm profitability depending on milk prices. It should be noted that there is limited research reporting both milk nitrogen (N) efficiency and methane emissions in confined versus grazing dairy cows. Therefore, our overarching objective was to build data sets to compare nutrient utilization in dairy cows under confinement or grazing management where milk N efficiency or methane emissions or both were reported in the same studies. Dietary strategies to mitigate methane emissions in grazing dairy systems will be also explored.

 

February 8: Panel discussion on steps, technical assistance, and financial support to install a Manure Cover + Flare Systems to destroy methane from liquid manure storage. Register, here.

PANEL

Dale Stein – Chair New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, Semi-Retired Dairy Farmer, Stein Farms LeRoy NY that operates a cover+flare system

Abstract: We milk 1000 cows and have 1 covered manure storage, built in 2012, with a flare. A satellite storage is being covered this April also with a flare. The largest benefit to our farm from the cover is that no precipitation gets in the manure; instead the rainwater is pumped off the covered lagoon and goes to a separate storage that we use to irrigate growing crops with a center pivot. This keeps over 1.2 million gallons of water out of the manure, while making the storage have 1/3 greater capacity by having no precipitation in it. The resulting manure has a higher nutrient content due to no dilution taking place. We are trying to find a way to use the gas produced besides just burning it off. There is over 5 million cubic feet of gas produced per year.
Bio: Dale Stein is a senior partner in Stein Farms LeRoy with 1800 head dairy cattle and 2500 acres farmed for cow feed. He is a life-long conservationist helping the environment, from planting over 10,000 trees to building and improving wildlife habitat on his farm.
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Jennifer Clifford – CRF Program Manager with NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets – will release the new round of funding for Climate Resilient Farming in NYS (including cover+flare systems)

Abstract: The Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) Program works with farms to reduce GHG emissions and build resiliency. An integral part of the CRF program is providing cost-share support for cover and flare systems to reduce methane emissions on-farm. Information about CRF Round 6 can be found here – https://agriculture.ny.gov/soil-and-water/rfp-0243-climate-resilient-farming-round-6
Bio: Jennifer’s been with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and the NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee for 10 years. Jennifer aided in facilitation of the Agriculture & Forestry Advisory Panel for the Climate Advisory Council, participates in the NYS Interagency Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Work Group, and sits on the US Climate Alliance Natural Working Lands and Short-Lived Pollutants working groups. Prior to working with the Department, she worked on natural resource conservation and water conservation issues with the Conservation District of Southern Nevada.
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Jessica Skinner – JESS Engineering, PLLC – will discuss her firm’s design experience with Cover+Flare systems in NYS.

Abstract: This presentation will discuss the design and installation of covers and flares in New York State since 2007, including helping farms to secure funding, create design packages, and monitor installation. Each farm has unique needs and challenges when considering a cover and flare.
Bio:  Jessica has been working as an agricultural engineer in New York State for almost 25 years, the last 17 years she has owned and operated JESS Engineering PLLC.  The firm concentrates in the agricultural field, working to assist farms in both environmental compliance and facility planning.  A large portion of her projects include manure storage, separation, and transfer system design.
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Ken Van Slyke – PikeSide Ag Machinery, LLC – will discuss mechanical separation of manure liquids/solid resources for different uses.

Abstract: This presentation will cover different kinds of mechanical separation methods to maximize the value from manure (materials and nutrients). Ken has experience with covered lagoons from working with manure systems on farms around NY state, as well as a covered lagoon that was installed on his own farm in 2011. He is familiar with the installation, operation, and general challenges with lagoon covers on dairy farms.
Bio: Ken Van Slyke is a lifelong dariy farmer turned manure systems dealer, with 20 years of experience with manure processing on farms. Located in Western New York, PikeSide Ag Machinery was started after he saw a need for solutions to the challenges that Northeastern dairy farms face in maximizing value from manure. Ken lives in Pike, NY with his wife, Tonya, and two sons, Kyle and Kolby.
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Jason Taylor – Vice President of Operations at Environmental Fabrics, Inc., will discuss his firm’s installation experience with many Cover+Flare systems in NYS.

Abstract: Environmental Fabrics specializes in all membranes. “Cover+Flare” for liquid manure storage typically involve HDPE (high density Polyethylene). We have installed over 500 (US and abroad, >125 in California alone) cover projects not all require a flare. I would estimate we have supplied 75-100 flares. Our first cover was installed in 1995. These materials if installed and maintained properly will last more than 25-30 years. The manufacture will offer a 20-year prorated material warranty for a small fee.
Bio: Jason has been in the liner/cover installation business for 28 years. He started in the field as a technician and then supervisor, moved into the office 12 years ago as an estimator and project manager. He now is involved with all aspects of Operations with high focus on Field Installation and Shop Fabrication.

Al Fagan – District Manager at Wyoming County Soil & Water Conservation District – will discuss how SWCDs can help a farm evaluate the suitability of Cover+Flare system.

Abstract: While conducting Agricultural Environmental Management planning with farms, the Wyoming County SWCD discusses Cover & Flare systems with farms to gauge their interest. District staff discusses how the systems work, as well as associated practices and management that are vital to the success of the systems. Planning for these systems takes place throughout the calendar year to prepare for when RFPs are released.
Bio: Al Fagan was born and raised in Wyoming County, NY. From a young age, Al has always had a passion for the outdoors, and knew he wanted to pursue a career revolving around the outdoors. Al was fortunate enough to gain a position at WCSWCD 10 years ago, and enjoys assisting the agricultural community, municipalities, and private landowners achieve their conservation goals. https://www.wcswcd.org/

 

March 8: Managing Field Nitrogen & GHG – learn how farms can help reduce nitrous oxide  (N2O) emissions  in cropping systems– with a focus on managing organic (manure, legumes etc) sources of nitrogen. Register here.

9-10am
Organic Nitrogen Management for Greenhouse Gas Reduction in Agroecosystems: Between a Gentle Seesaw and a Catapult presented by Dr. Armen Kemanian (Professor, Production Systems and Modeling, Department of Plant Sciences at Penn State University)

Animal manure is often applied in cropland around CAFOs. Both manure and cover crops are often used as fertility inputs in organic agriculture. These organic amendments are often considered slow-release fertilizers for N (when low in ammonium) when compared with synthetic fertilizers, because organic N needs to be mineralized by soil microbes for that N to become available to plants. Ideally, when N mineralization and crop N uptake are well balanced, mineral N does not accumulate in the soil. One can visualize the process as a conceptual seesaw that goes down on one end due to N mineralization that adds mineral N, but that is gently returned to the horizontal position through N uptake that removes the mineralized N.

However, it is challenging to manage annual crop production on such bucolic rhythm. And when considering nitrous oxide (N2O), a powerful greenhouse gas, the gentle seesaw may well be a catapult. Why? Mainly for two reasons. First, easily decomposable residues can trigger high microbial activity that consumes oxygen (O2) and creates hypoxic pockets (or layers) in the soil while organic N is being mineralized. Second, the composition of the organic amendments is hard to control, in part because the composition of cover crops varies and in part because the composition of manure varies. A rational response by farm operators is to overshoot the application rate to avoid N shortages. These two conditions have the potential to favor large N2O emissions in bursts resembling catapult releases, because without fast mineral N uptake (or even with it) N mineralization is not lowering a seesaw but tensing and loading the denitrification catapult.

In this seminar, Dr. Armen Kemanian (Professor, Production Systems and Modeling, Department of Plant Sciences at Penn State University) presents field data obtained in Central Pennsylvania and in Sardinia, Italy, that indicates that large N2O emissions do happen in cover cropped and manured soils, particularly with inversion tillage that buries and packs manure or cover crops residues in a thin soil layer. This research suggests that controlling the rate and timing of organic input additions, as well as preventing the co-location of legume cover crops and manure, could mitigate N2O emissions.

 

10-11am
Documenting and Managing Field Nitrogen Use for Greenhouse Gas Reduction presented by Dr. Quirine Ketterings (Professor of Nutrient Management in Agricultural Ecosystems at Cornell University).

“Adaptive Management” is an iterative strategy where farmers identify opportunities for improvement in production and environmental footprints, evaluate a management change on their own farm, through on-farm research and/or annual performance assessments. Whole farm nutrient mass balance (NMB) assessments is such an annual performance tool at the whole farm level while field nutrient balances are evaluation approaches at the field or within-field scale. The adaptive management strategy for field crop management introduced in NY in 2013, affords farm autonomy and decision making for site-specific problem solving and tracks issues and successes. When farms share results of the on-farm evaluations, successful strategies can be expanded to more fields and farms. Combined, anonymized data from participating farms can help identify practices and policies that incentivize improvements over time. While these whole farm and field-level tools were developed for nitrogen and phosphorus management with focus on water quality impact, reduction of N use will also reduce nitrous oxide emissions – a potent greenhouse gas.

 

April 12: Land Use & GHG: learn how land use can impact Greenhouse Gases (consider what area is ‘idle’ and consider how a land owner might ‘activate’ that land: afforestation, bioenergy feedstocks, solar, new food production, etc), register here.

9:00-9:50 am
Using former agricultural land to help meet climate goals presented by Peter Woodbury & Jenifer Wightman, Cornell University

More than 1.7  million acres of former agricultural land in New York State could be available for many purposes, including increasing livestock grazing, installing solar panels, growing biomass for bioenergy, or planting trees. Planting trees is a critically important strategy to help meet New York’s ambitious climate goals, because it is a natural and proven way to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which will be required to achieve the State mandate of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by year 2050. We will discuss how much land is available, limitations of that land, the potential for greenhouse gas mitigation, and some other competing uses.

9:50-10:40 am
Solar and Agriculture, from Competition to Co-Location presented by Zachary Eldredge, Technology Manager, U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office

 According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Futures Study, solar energy could occupy as much as ten million acres nationwide by 2050 if we are to meet our climate goals. While there is sufficient land in the United States to realize this development, competition for prime land area (close to transmission, favorable climate, relatively flat) is likely to be expected and could pose an issue for realizing decarbonization goals. Various options to address this, including deploying solar on brownfields, mine lands, and water bodies. In this talk, I will describe work at DOE to advance the practice of agrivoltaics, the combined use of land for both solar and agriculture.

10:40-11am
Land use implications of more circular and sustainable food systems presented by Lori Leonard, Professor, Department of Global Development

A large proportion of the world’s arable land is used to produce food (crops or livestock) that is never eaten. By reducing food waste, it is possible to conserve forested land and reduce GHG emissions associated with agricultural production. Keeping excess food, including food scraps, in the human food chain is also vital to reducing the pressure on land from agriculture and reducing the food-feed competition. This means privileging some recycling strategies, namely diverting food waste for animal feed.

 

May 10: Food Waste & GHG: Learn how citizens can help farms and landfills reduce greenhouse gases –while saving money, land area, and natural resources– by reducing food waste. Register here.

9-10am
Food Waste: What we know and what we don’t presented by Dr. Zach Conrad (Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, Global Research Institute at William & Mary)

Food waste is an issue for public health, the environment, and food affordability. This webinar describes the current state of science on these relationships, drawing from the most contemporary evidence from around the world but focusing on the United States. Specifically, this webinar describes the difference between food loss and waste, food waste reduction targets, health impacts, environmental impacts, economic impacts, which foods are wasted most, why we waste food, and ways to reduce food waste at the individual level and system level.

10-11am
Diverting Food Scraps from Landfills to reduce impacts of Methane presented by Marc Morgan (Solid Waste Manager, City of Lebanon, New Hampshire)

During this webinar, you will learn how a municipal solid waste facility is working to reduce waste disposal and have a positive impact on the environment.  This is being accomplished through a food scrap composting program.  The City of Lebanon’s Food Scrap Program is open to commercial accounts and as a drop off for residents.

 

 

This series is co-hosted with the USDA Northeast Climate Hub.

This series is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Smith Lever Project 2019-20-110.

REGISTER: Fall 2021 Webinar Series – Every 3rd Thursday! Learn how to reduce Greenhouse gases with Soils/Livestock/Forests!

Join us!

Learn how you can help reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) in agriculture and forestry!

For landowners, farmers, foresters, extension agents, and citizens

Every 3rd Thursday, 10am – noon.

Soils & GHG: October 21, webinar recordings found HERE.

Livestock & GHG: November 18, webinar recordings found HERE.

Forests & GHG: December 16, scroll to the bottom for details.

Missed one? Recordings will be catalogued HERE.

Structure of the Event

10-11am: The 1st hour is a conceptual overview of emissions & opportunities to reduce GHG from working lands.

11-noon: The 2nd hour will provide training, skills, incentives, or support for implementing a GHG reducing project!

Please register for the following webinars (free) and join at anytime in the 2-hour event.

SOILS & GHG: October 21 (in collaboration with the Soil Health Initiative) 10am-12pm. Recordings HERE.

10am: Introduction to agricultural Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission and mitigation potential – a New York case study applicable to the Northeast

–––Jenifer Wightman (Cornell University, Soil & Crop Sciences)

Agriculture is both a source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a constructive landscape to reduce global emissions. Using New York State (NYS) as a case study, participants will learn about sources of emissions on farms, how the different sources of emissions add up, and targeted mechanisms to help reduce them.  Emphasis will be on net greenhouse gas accounting from a change in practice, which means adding together the changes in carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). The goal is to help land managers identify real and permanent GHG reduction strategies to ensure farmers in the future have a more stable climate.

11am: Examining net greenhouse gas impacts of soil health practices – using the FAST-GHG tool and key research results.

–––Peter Woodbury (Cornell University, Soil & Crop Sciences)

Soil health practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilizer management affect greenhouse gas emissions in many ways. This seminar will use the FAST-GHG tool, which allows a user to consider the different ways these practices and their interactions affect greenhouse gas emissions. Participants will come away with a better understanding of how crop and soil nitrogen cycling, crop yield, and equipment use affect the greenhouse gas impacts of different soil health practices (such as reduced tillage, cover crops, and nitrogen fertilizer management).

LIVESTOCK & GHG : November 18, 10am-12pm Register Here:

10am: The Role of Models in Farm Systems Management for GHG Mitigation

–––Kristan Foster Reed (Assistant Professor of Dairy Cattle Nutrition & Management, Cornell University)

Dairy farms are complex systems with the main sources of GHG emissions coming from enteric methane, manure management, and feed production. However, opportunities exist to mitigate emissions from each of these sources and due to the nature of the dairy farm system, a single management decision can mitigate multiple emission sources. Models are tools that help us understand the downstream impacts of management practices and quantify emissions and other environmental impacts. I will review some existing dairy farm system models and introduce the Ruminant Farm Systems model currently under development.

11am: Feed Management Implementation From a PA NRCS Perspective- Moving from Water Quality to GHG Mitigation

–––Dan Ludwig (State Resource Conservationist, USDA-NRCS Pennsylvania)

During this presentation, participants will learn about what comprises a feed management plan as well as the concepts on how a feed management plan allows producers to make improvements to water and air quality on their farm as well as it’s potential to improve income over feed costs. This presentation will share results of ration manipulation on select farms in Pennsylvania as well as the potential interaction of ration adjustments to mitigate GHGs. The presentation will also discussion financial assistant options through NRCS programs and how nutritionists can become qualified plan writers or Technical Service Providers (TSP).

FORESTS & GHG: December 16, 10am-12pm Register Here:

10am: Forest Management for Climate Change Mitigation in New York

–––Tim Fahey (Liberty Hyde Bailey Professor, Cornell University)

Land management offers the potential for climate change mitigation through sequestration of carbon, especially in the forest sector. This webinar will explain and evaluate key aspects of this potential with a focus on New York State. The webinar will cover such topics as: carbon stocks in trees and soils, silvicultural options in a changing climate, natural disturbances and risks, wood products and substitution for fossil fuels.

11am: New York State climate change legislation impact on forests and carbon sequestration statewide panel recommendations and current incentives for private landowners.

–––Bryan Ellis (Forest Climate Section Leader, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Lands and Forests)

New York forests are a critical component to reaching NYs climate goals through their sequestration and storage of carbon. To achieve these goals the CLCPA Agriculture and Forestry panel recommended five main strategies 1) keep forests as forests, avoided conversion 2) improved forest management 3) afforestation/reforestation 4) urban forestry 5) bioeconomy. While many of the mechanisms for these systematic changes are still underway there are currently opportunities available for landowners to help combat climate change on their properties.

 

This series is co-hosted with the USDA Northeast Climate Hub.

The Soils section on October 21, is also co-hosted with the Soil Health Initiative.

This series is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Smith Lever Project 2019-20-110.