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National Association of Conservation Districts Anaheim, California February 3, 2014

New York State & Suffolk County Presented by George Proios New York State Soil & Water Conservation Committee, Chairman Suffolk County Soil & Water Conservation District, Chairman. National Association of Conservation Districts Anaheim, California February 3, 2014.

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National Association of Conservation Districts Anaheim, California February 3, 2014

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  1. New York State & Suffolk CountyPresented by George ProiosNew York State Soil & Water Conservation Committee, ChairmanSuffolk County Soil & Water Conservation District, Chairman National Association of Conservation Districts Anaheim, California February 3, 2014

  2. New York State Soil & Water Conservation Committee Voting Member Charles Colby, Vice Chairman Dale Stein, Executive Director Michael Latham, Chairman George Proios, Voting Member John Dickinson, Voting Member David Brass and a Comprehensive Agency Representation as Advisory Members.

  3. New York State Soil & Water Conservation Committee • The mission of the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee is to promote a comprehensive natural resource program for New York State by supporting local Soil and Water Conservation Districts to develop and implement projects and programs that will preserve, protect, and enhance the wise use of the state's soil, water, and all related resources.

  4. NYS Ag Statistics • Farming generates $4.5 billion annually • 36,300 farms in NYS • 6,000 Dairy Farms – over 600,000 dairy cows • 370 Medium CAFOs • 180 Large CAFOs

  5. NYS Ag Statistics • Milk is the leading agricultural product • Yogurt Capital of the United States – 13% of milk produced goes into yogurt • Yogurt production has tripled since 2007 • Ranked 2nd nationally for apple and maple syrup production • Ranked 3rd nationally for wine and juice grape production

  6. Agricultural Environmental Management AEM is a State-wide, voluntary, incentive-based process that helps farmers make common sense decisions toward meeting their business objectives while protecting and conserving natural resources and water quality.

  7. Agricultural Environmental Management Core Concepts • Voluntary, incentive-based • Locally-led & delivered • Based on watershed needs • Customized farm by farm • Confidential • Promotes teamwork • Coordinates assistance

  8. Agricultural Environmental Management Meets Challenges to: • Protect the environment • Comply with regulations • Address neighbor relations • Help farm businesses thrive • Document • Stewardship

  9. Agricultural Environmental Management Protect and enhance the environment and the viability of agriculture in New York State. Policy & Regulatory Compliance Partnerships & Coordination Certified AEM Planners Applied Research & Extension Technical Assistance & Tools Outreach Cost-Share Programs Training Locally-led Strategies & Priorities

  10. County AEM Strategic Plans • District Partners and Stakeholders develop and implement AEM Strategic Plan • Identify & prioritize local issues & opportunities • Plan & coordinate activities • Obtain funding • Conduct outreach • Evaluate efforts

  11. AEM Framework – 5 Tier Approach • Tier 1 – Inventory Questionnaire • Tier 2 – Assessment Worksheets • Tier 3 – Planning • Tier 4 – Implementation • Tier 5 – Evaluation • Document existing stewardship • Identify concerns & opportunities • Develop conservation plans • Implement conservation practices • Evaluate plans, practices & programs

  12. AEM Tier 1 Questionnaire

  13. AEM Tier 2 Assessment Worksheets

  14. AEM Tier 2 Example - Manure Management Worksheet

  15. AEM Tier 3 – Conservation Planning Uses the NRCS 9-Step Planning Process • 3A - Initiation of progressive planning process addressing at least 1 priority issue • 3B - Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan • 3C - Whole Farm Plan

  16. AEM Tier 4 – Implementation • Install conservation practices • Initiate management changes • Follow NRCS Standards & Specifications • Utilize appropriate local, state, and/or federal funding programs Barnyard Water Mgt System

  17. AEM Tier 5 – Plan & Program Evaluation • Farm Evaluation • Assessment Update • BMP Assessment, Validation & O&M Assistance • Plan Assessment/Revision/Update • Continuing Education/Coaching • Planning Unit Evaluation • County Program Evaluation Cover Crop

  18. Benefits of Participation in AEM • Risk reduction • Utilize Farm Bill Programs and other sources of funding for conservation planning & implementation • Economic viability • Access to programs and service discounts • Regulatory discretion • Participation signage • Neighbor relations Manure Storage & Mgt System

  19. AEM Base Program • Non-competitive funding to provide conservation technical assistance to farms through the AEM Tiers • Districts can earn up to $50k/year • $65k with NRCS Certified Planner on staff • $85k with AEM Certified Planner on staff

  20. Progress Through the Tiers Since 2005 • 7,599 Tier 1 Inventories • 4,564 Tier 2 Assessments • 2,329 Tier 3 Plans • 1,920 Tier 4 BMPs Implemented • 914 Tier 5A Assessment Updates • 1,809 Tier 5B Plan/BMP Evaluations Prescribed Grazing System & Buffers

  21. AEM Success AEM Base Funding Years 1 through 8

  22. AEM and Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program • AGNPS program cost shares the implementation of Best Management Practices identified through the AEM planning process • In 2013, Governor Cuomo placed $14 million in budget for the AEM Base and AgNPS programs • Over 19 rounds since 1993, ~$120 million appropriated.

  23. NYS Ag Non Point Source Funding per County

  24. Agricultural Environmental Management Watershed Successes • New York City Watershed • Skaneateles Lake • Oneida Lake • Conesus Lake • Steele Creek • Chesapeake Bay

  25. Agricultural Environmental Management Why does AEM work in NY? • Two Decades of Development • Codified into NYS Law • Locally Developed, Deployed, and Aggregated • Strong Delivery Network / Certification • Umbrella Program (Coordination among partners) • Utilizes Federal, State and Local funding sources • Funding: Technical Assistance & BMP Cost Sharing • Strong Outreach Components • Training

  26. Suffolk County Soil & Water Conservation District • Largest County in NYS (outside of NYC) • Population 1.5 million • 980 miles of coastline • Leading County in agriculture adding $150 million annually to the economy • Nationally recognized Sole Source Aquifer Provides drinking water to 3 million • 3,000 farms in 1950 • 585 Farms today 34,404ac farmland • First in the Nation to implement the Purchase of Development Rights (1975)has spent $250 million saving 235 farms from development totaling 16,000ac. • Farmland values in Suffolk County among the highest in the nation • Long Island is one of the top 20 most threatened agricultural regions • #1 in nursery stock, aquaculture, sod & duck. Suffolk is the 3rd largest wine growing region in American

  27. Suffolk County Soil & Water Conservation District FuelTankReplacementProgram2008-2014 Tanks 207 Farms 126 82,690 gallons NYS & USDA NRCS Funding $955,522.00

  28. Suffolk County Soil & Water Conservation District Agricultural Handling Facility 2005-2014 Facilities Cost $40,000+ Farmer Reimbursement $30,000Total Payments To Date $263,486 Installed 11 Planned 15 NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Funding $601,600 USDA NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program $ 15,000

  29. Suffolk County Soil & Water Conservation District Deer Fence NYS Funding $960,000 Farms 65 received $14,642 each Paid installation 182,857’ (34.63 miles) Actual Installation 266,702’ (50.51 miles)

  30. Agricultural Environmental Management Productive Farms & Healthy Watersheds Conservation Cropping System NYS Soil & Water Conservation Committee - www.nys-soilandwater.orgNYS Department of Agriculture & Markets - www.agriculture.ny.govSuffolk County Soil & Water Conservation District - www.SuffolkSWCD.org

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