AGRICULTURAL eNVIRONMENTAL mANAGEMENT (aem) tIER 4 fUNDING
AEM is a NYS program developed to promote economic viability of farms and environmental stewardship. AEM is voluntary, incentive-based, customized farm-by-farm, confidential, and targeted to watershed needs. Involvement not only aids farmers by improving the function of their daily operations, but can also help prioritize farms in other programs, such as NRCS' Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). District staff evaluate your farm in areas such as: barnyard runoff, silage leachate runoff, process waste water disposal, soil erosion, and pasture management.
The Tier 4 funding source limits competition for our projects to just those within Montgomery County. Once the application is filled out, it will be ranked and awarded by the Montgomery County SWCD Board of Directors. Scoring is based on the Proposal Rating sheet. All proposals will be then ranked by their grand total score from highest to lowest for awards. The Montgomery County SWCD Board shall give preference to proposed projects that promote participation in, or further, the priorities of the AEM program and the specific five-year AEM County Strategy.
Consideration will be given to the following factors in rating proposals:
1. Project clearly addresses identified need or opportunity.
2. Adequate scope of work and time frame.
3. Project is cost effective.
State funding requests should be a maximum of $50,000. All BMP's must be designed and built to NRCS Specifications. Preference points will be given to projects under $20,000 and towards projects with higher landowner contribution.
Please contact the office with any specific questions about the application and what projects may be eligible. (518) 853-7016. You can find the application attached below.
Deadline is February 2, 2026 for applications.
The Tier 4 funding source limits competition for our projects to just those within Montgomery County. Once the application is filled out, it will be ranked and awarded by the Montgomery County SWCD Board of Directors. Scoring is based on the Proposal Rating sheet. All proposals will be then ranked by their grand total score from highest to lowest for awards. The Montgomery County SWCD Board shall give preference to proposed projects that promote participation in, or further, the priorities of the AEM program and the specific five-year AEM County Strategy.
Consideration will be given to the following factors in rating proposals:
1. Project clearly addresses identified need or opportunity.
2. Adequate scope of work and time frame.
3. Project is cost effective.
State funding requests should be a maximum of $50,000. All BMP's must be designed and built to NRCS Specifications. Preference points will be given to projects under $20,000 and towards projects with higher landowner contribution.
Please contact the office with any specific questions about the application and what projects may be eligible. (518) 853-7016. You can find the application attached below.
Deadline is February 2, 2026 for applications.
Agricultural nonpoint source abatement and control program
This grant program was established in 1994 by the State of New York to assist farmers in preventing water pollution from agricultural activities by providing technical assistance and financial incentives. County Soil & Water Conservation Districts apply for the competitive grants on behalf of farmers and coordinate funded conservation projects. Grants can cost-share up to 75% of project costs or more if farmers contribute in the following two areas:
- Planning- funds awarded to conduct environmental planning
- Implementation- funds awarded to construct or apply management practices
Climate Resilient Farming Program
The goal of the Climate Resilient Farming Program is to reduce the impact of agriculture on climate change (mitigation) and to increase the resiliency of New York State farms in the face of a changing climate (adaptation).
Soil and Water Conservation Districts use the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Framework to plan and assess their environmental risks. Historically, farmers working through the AEM framework have only been able to receive funding through the Agricultural Non-Point Source program, for water quality concerns. Climate Resilient Farming fills those gaps by allowing farmers to proactively address risks due to the changing climate while also mitigating their greenhouse gas emissions.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts use the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Framework to plan and assess their environmental risks. Historically, farmers working through the AEM framework have only been able to receive funding through the Agricultural Non-Point Source program, for water quality concerns. Climate Resilient Farming fills those gaps by allowing farmers to proactively address risks due to the changing climate while also mitigating their greenhouse gas emissions.
Farmland Protection Grants
Farmland Protection Implementation GrantsFarmland Protection Implementation Grants (FPIG) are available to enable project sponsors to implement activities consistent with local agricultural and farmland protection plans. Since the inception of the program, FPIG has disbursed over $140 million, protecting over 50,000 acres of viable agricultural land on over 200 farms across the State of New York.
FPIG has been expanded to offer both a Request For Applications (or RFA) as well as a Request For Proposals (or RFP). The non-competitive grant opportunity (RFA) is available for municipalities to amend their local laws to become more farm-friendly and/or to create laws to establish a transfer of development rights program. The competitive grant opportunity (RFP) provides grant funding to eligible counties, municipalities, soil and water conservation districts and not-for-profit conservation organizations for implementation of conservation easement projects. |
Dairy transition Farmland Protection InitiativeThis grant opportunity is being offered to enable eligible applicants to specifically implement Conservation Easement Projects with owners of viable agricultural lands that are associated with a dairy Farm Operation at risk of conversion to non-farm uses. Proceeds from the sale of a conservation easement (known as Purchase of Development Rights, or PDR) on viable agricultural land will offer these landowners an opportunity to either reinvest those monies to enable greater diversification of the farm operation or the transfer of ownership to a new owner of the same or different type of farm operation. Moreover, the viable agricultural land permanently protected as the result of each awarded Conservation Easement Project will remain in continuing agricultural use.
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Value Added producers grant
The Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and/or marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities, and increase producer income. Applicants may receive priority if they are a beginning farmer or rancher, a socially-disadvantaged farmer or rancher, a small or medium-sized farm or ranch structured as a family farm, a farmer or rancher cooperative, or are proposing a mid-tier value chain. Grants are awarded through a national competition. Each fiscal year, applications are requested through a notice published in the Federal Register and through an announcement posted on Grants.gov.
Program Funding: $18 million
Maximum Grant Amount: Planning Grants $75,000; Working Capital Grants: $250,000
Matching Funds Requirements: 50 percent of total project costs
Program Funding: $18 million
Maximum Grant Amount: Planning Grants $75,000; Working Capital Grants: $250,000
Matching Funds Requirements: 50 percent of total project costs
More Opportunities
Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization GrantThe Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is now accepting applications for the Dairy Farm Improvement & Modernization Grant — offering $15,000–$100,000 to help modernize your dairy operation, improve milk quality, enhance worker conditions, and build long-term farm resilience.
Eligible in all Northeast states, including New York! Applications due December 4, 2025, at 2 PM ET |
Northeast SARE Farmer Grant ProgramThe Northeast SARE Farmer Grant Program offers up to $30,000 for on-farm projects that test new ideas to improve sustainability and profitability.
Deadline: December 9, 2025 |
The Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY CobleskillCheck out this FREE Business Development Bootcamp hosted by The Institute for Rural Vitality at SUNY Cobleskill. The class is entirely online from October 28, 2025 - January 6, 2026. This is a fantastic opportunity to grow your small business in Montgomery County.
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