New York Farm Programs: Dairy Waste, NYC & Chesapeake Watersheds, Orchards

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

Quick Facts

Federal Programs in New York

Federal programs like EQIP, CSP, and FSA loans are available nationwide, but how they work in practice varies by state , each state sets its own EQIP priorities, ranking criteria, and application deadlines. Below is how the federal programs apply specifically in New York. For full details on any program, read the federal program guides.

EQIP in New York

New York EQIP Priorities:

• Water quality (Chesapeake Bay watershed in southern tier, Great Lakes, NYC watershed)
• Soil health on cropland
• Grazing management
• Livestock waste management (dairy)
• Nutrient management
• Cover crops

Livestock-Specific Practices Commonly Funded:

• Cross-fencing for rotational grazing
• Livestock water development
• Prescribed grazing systems
• Waste management systems (dairy)
• Heavy use area protection
• Nutrient management
• Riparian buffers

EQIP in New York , What to Ask About: New York participates in two major NRCS landscape initiatives. Portions of the state fall within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, where dedicated EQIP funding is available through the Bay States' Partnerships Initiative for nutrient and sediment reduction. Northern New York is also covered by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), which provides dedicated EQIP funding for water quality practices in priority Great Lakes watersheds. For livestock operations, EQIP can assist with nutrient management, waste storage, prescribed grazing, and fencing. Ask your local office which initiative , Bay or Great Lakes , applies to your area.

New York EQIP payment schedules: Available on the New York NRCS website.

→ Read the full EQIP guide

CSP in New York

CSP rewards producers for conservation practices already in place and pays for new enhancements. Well-managed operations with rotational grazing, maintained fencing, and conservation practices are strong candidates.

→ Read the full CSP guide

FSA Programs in New York

Current Disaster Designations: Check farmers.gov/protection-recovery for current drought and disaster designations in New York.

Key FSA Programs:

• Direct and Guaranteed Farm Ownership and Operating Loans
• Microloans (up to $50,000 , simplified application)
• Emergency Farm Loans (for designated disaster areas)
• Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) : Flooding, winter storm, and drought losses
• ELAP , covers drought-related grazing losses and emergency costs
• Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) : triggered by drought monitor conditions

New York FSA State Office: (315) 477-6300

AMA: A Small EQIP-Like Program Worth Asking About in New York

New York is one of 16 states eligible for Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA), an NRCS program that runs alongside EQIP. It provides cost-share for water management, soil erosion control, and on-farm diversification — similar practices at similar rates, in a separate (smaller) funding pool. National AMA budget is around $15 million per year, modest compared to EQIP. If you’re considering EQIP in New York, ask your NRCS office whether AMA is a fit for your project.

New York-Specific Programs

NY Soil and Water Conservation Committee

New York has 58 Soil and Water Conservation Districts , very active with state-funded cost-share programs.

Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM)

NY's voluntary, incentive-based framework helps farmers assess and address environmental concerns. AEM participation strengthens EQIP applications.

NY Cattlemen's Beef Association

Website: nycattle.org

New York Tax Provisions for Ag

• Agricultural Assessment: Agricultural land is assessed at agricultural use value. Applications go through county assessors.
• State Income Tax: Progressive rates, top rate 10.9% (among the highest in the country). Farm income is subject to state tax.
• Sales Tax Exemptions: Farm equipment, feed, seed, and agricultural inputs are exempt from NY sales tax.
• Farmer's School Tax Credit: Eligible farmers can receive a refundable credit for school property taxes paid on agricultural land.

RCPP in New York

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funds conservation projects through partnerships between NRCS and local organizations. RCPP projects vary by state and year — check with your local NRCS office or visit the RCPP page for current projects in your area.

ACEP in New York

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners protect farmland and wetlands through conservation easements. Two components: Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) protect working farmland, and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) restore and protect wetlands. Contact your local NRCS office for current enrollment.

Resources

USDA Offices

• Find your local USDA Service Center: farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator

State Resources

• Cornell Cooperative Extension: cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension
• NY Cattlemen's Beef Association: nycattle.org
• New York Farm Bureau: nyfb.org

Key Deadlines (FY2026)

Dates are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm with your local NRCS/FSA office.

Your Next Steps in New York

1. Run our eligibility screener to see your personalized program list: Take the eligibility screener
2. Find your local USDA Service Center: farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator
3. Read the federal program guides for programs you're interested in: EQIP · CSP · Beginning Farmer · Disaster Assistance
4. Multiple watershed priorities mean more EQIP funding sources in NY than many states
5. Farmer's School Tax Credit can offset significant property tax burden , make sure you're claiming it

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