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Soil & Water unveils tree‑planting campaign, $617,000 cover‑crop award and equipment expansion
Summary
Columbia County Soil & Water detailed a countywide municipal tree program, a $617,000 multi‑species cover‑crop grant covering about 5,000 acres, and plans to expand an equipment rental service while searching for storage space for larger drills.
Dylan, executive director of the Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation District, told the committee the District has partnered with the county Climate Smart Task Force and 15 municipalities to plant one ball‑and‑burlap tree each on municipal lands around Earth Day as part of a countywide planting effort tied to the county’s 250th anniversary.
The District also won a 'Make It Multi‑Species' cover‑crop grant that will provide $617,000 to support cover cropping on eight of the largest farms in the county. Dylan said the award will support roughly 5,000 acres and encourage farmers to test multi‑species seed mixes—adding brassicas or legumes to traditional rye mixes for soil‑health benefits. To meet the mid‑September seeding window, the District is partnering with private company Caravel to seed standing crops using a large commercial drone; the program will reimburse farmers after they complete planting and the subsequent winter period.
Dylan said the District is running a parallel local cover‑crop reimbursement program for small and medium farms offering up to $3,200 per farm and using a one‑page application. "Any farm is eligible for up to $3,200 as a reimbursement for the cover crop practices," he said.
The District is also expanding an equipment rental program launched in 2024 that lends conservation tools—such as a 10‑ft no‑till drill and a small manure spreader—to farms that cannot justify purchase. Dylan said the 10‑ft drill has been heavily used and that many local farms need smaller 6‑ft drills that match medium‑size tractors. The program has outgrown its current office storage; staff are evaluating county parcels, including a one‑acre property on the south side of Route 66 adjacent to the composting operation, and a vacant site at the commerce park formerly used as a sewer plant. Dylan said the team is conducting due diligence around zoning, DEC requirements, wetlands and utility setbacks.
Board members pressed who would pay construction and equipment costs; Dylan said Soil & Water will cover day‑to‑day bill payments but warned construction could be subject to prevailing wage requirements and that some equipment (a larger drill) can cost in the $100,000–$150,000 range.
The committee did not take a final vote on a storage site during the meeting; staff will continue due diligence and work with county and town officials on zoning and environmental reviews.
