New York Soil Health Mini-grants - 2024
Get support for soil health-related projects and travel in New York.Applications Closed
The New York Soil Health Initiative invites you to apply for a mini-grant! This mini-grant program supports soil health related projects, activities, and travel within New York State. The goal is to assist in expanding soil health research, education, and awareness to communities across NYS.
Applications are now open and the deadline to apply is May 27, 2024. Eligible individuals or organizations may apply for up to $2000 for a project and up to $500 for a travel mini-grant.
Interested applicants should submit a mini-grant application for either a project or a travel grant, see below for details.
Project Mini-grants Application Form
Project grants can be used to support research, extension, or outreach activities in New York that have a soil health component.
Travel Mini-grants Application Form
Travel grants support travel and attendance at a soil health related workshop, field day, conference, etc., within NY.
Questions?
Please get in touch with Debbie Aller, extension associate and New York Soil Health program coordinator.
Criteria For Submission
Funds are for New York-based projects, activities, or travel (entirely within the state). Funds can used to leverage existing project support that is aimed at either soil health research, extension, or outreach activities. Projects are intended to benefit multiple stakeholders and have an educational component. While projects and activities that support commercial agriculture producers are preferred, community garden projects will be considered.
Applications Due By 5/27/2024
Applications should be submitted by Monday, May 27, 2024. Decisions will be announced on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Who Can Apply?
Farmers, extension personnel, technical service providers, and organizations working with the agricultural community. Must be based in New York.
Examples of Projects Funded
Funds can be used to purchase demonstration supplies and equipment for use at field days and other outreach events to educate participants on soil health (e.g., rainfall simulator, penetrometer, microscope); conduct soil health sampling on farms (rural or urban); host a workshop, training, field day on a soil health related topic.
2023 Awarded Project Grants (organization – project title, county, award amount)
CCE Allegany– ‘Advancing grazing in Western NY’, Allegany – $1300
CCE Cayuga – ‘Nutrient Monitoring from Tile Drainage Effluent’, Cayuga – $1000
Youth Farm project– ‘Cover Cropping and Tarping for Soil Health’, Tompkins – $2500
Philia Farm – ‘Monitor soil health, organic matter increase, and N fixation after green manure application’, Montgomery – $2250
SUNY Morrisville – ‘Soil Health Assessment Training for Agronomy Students’, Madison – $2500
Oasis on the Green Community Garden – ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’, Bronx – $500
CCE Monroe – ‘Growing Community through soil health’, Monroe – $2500
Longfield Farm – ‘Be Prepared! Scouting as a Knowledge Link to Regenerative Agriculture, Soil Health, and Food Quality’, Albany – $1900
CCE Chautauqua – ‘Cover Crop Demo’, Chautauqua – $900
CCE Chemung – ‘Soil Health Education Enhancement’, Monroe – $2250
Greater Buffalo Urban Growers Network – ‘Urban Soil Health Day’, Erie – $1500
Awarded Travel Grants (organization – event title, county, award amount)
Crosswinds Farm & Creamery – Seneca – $500
Dilmun Hill Student Farm – Tompkins – $500
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2022 Awarded Project Grants (organization – project title, county, award amount)
Cameron Community Ministries – ‘From the Ground Up: Healthy Soil for Healthy Living,’ Monroe – $2000
CCE Vegetable Program – ‘Cover Crops & Soil Health,’ Erie – $500
West Haven Farm – ‘Juntos Aprendemos: Un Día de Campo en Español para la Comunidad Latina,’ Tompkins – $2000
CCE Capital Area Agriculture & Horticulture Program – ‘Soil health field days for cut flower production,’ Albany – $1500
CCE Chautauqua – ‘4H Special Interest Programming,’ Chautauqua – $1000
Farm School NYC – ‘Studying Safe Soils with FSNYC,’ Kings (NYC) – $2250
CCE Oneida – ‘Urban Farm Learning Lab at Union Station: Exploring Soil Health in Urban Growing,’ Oneida – $770
Awarded Travel Grants (organization – event title, county, award amount)
Agricultural Stewardship Association, Inc. – ‘Soil Health Workshop for Livestock and Crop Farmers,’ Washington – $500
Farm School NYC – ‘Community Work & Learn day at Soul Fire Farm,’ Kings (NYC) – $500
King of Glory Farms – ‘Organic no-till workshop,’ Sullivan – $500
Expectations of Awardees
All funding recipients (both project and travel grant awardees) will be required to submit a brief final report. Photos are encouraged with the final submission. More details will be provided upon awarding of funds.
Can previous grant recipients apply for grants again in the New York Soil Health Mini-Grant program?
We kindly request previous grant recipients consider their project’s impact when applying for subsequent grants. We encourage organizations to allow space for new applicants by refraining from applying every year. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in ensuring equitable access to our mini-grant program.