Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara announced that $15 million in state funding is now available to assist local livestock farms to implement water quality protection projects. This funding comes as part of New York’s Clean Water Infrastructure Act included in the state budget. As a civil engineer, Assemblyman Santabarbara played a key role in crafting parts of the program which invests in resources for drinking water, wastewater infrastructure and other water quality protection projects. The program has also funded a variety of local infrastructure projects now underway.

“Local farms are at the heart of New York's history of a thriving agriculture,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, who serves on the New York State Assembly’s Agriculture Committee. “This funding is a commitment to protect the natural resources in our area of upstate New York and will help ensure our state continues to be the agricultural leader it has been for generations to come.”

Through the program, the State Agriculture Department’s Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Waste Storage and Transfer System Program will fund projects that improve farms’ management and storage of nutrients, such as manure, in order to protect and preserve ground water and waterways. County Soil and Water Conservation Districts can apply for grants on behalf of eligible farmers. The maximum amount per proposal is $385,000, which provides funding for engineering and construction expenses.