Aug 8, 2025
Nine Farms Awarded through Program promoting Energy Efficiency and Climate Resiliency
A grant program administered for Ulster County by HVADC recently announced its awardees. On July 23, Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger announced the recipients of the County’s first-ever Farm Viability & Sustainability Grant Program, awarding a total of $586,256 to nine farms across the County to strengthen farm businesses, improve energy efficiency, and build climate resilience.
The program provides awards ranging from $25,000 to $75,000 to support local farmers in maintaining viable and resilient farms now and in the future. The program's focus on farm viability and energy efficiency/climate resiliency aligns with the County’s recently updated Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan, adopted in June 2025. The Plan outlines strategies to preserve farmland, support farm businesses, and promote environmental sustainability. The program was made possible through the Agricultural Crisis Relief Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and passed by the Ulster County Legislature in 2023.
The competitive application round was open March 19 through April 30, with 37 applicants proposing a wide array of projects. The program prioritized projects that address both farm viability and energy efficiency/climate resiliency.
In the announcement, Deborah DeWan, Agriculture Services Administrator in the County's Department of Economic Development said “These projects are very inspiring and demonstrate the diversity of farms in Ulster County — livestock, vegetable, fruit, smaller, newer, larger and multigeneration, employing many practices. It is very gratifying to see all the thought and effort that the farmers have made to develop these innovative projects that will have a great impact on their farms and on agriculture throughout the county for years to come.”
Those awarded through this program, and their outlined projects are:
Balsam Ridge Farm (Clintondale) is a family owned and operated Christmas tree farm established in 1993. The farm itself is on 50 acres of land; purchased for the purpose of creating the tree farm. The property was hardwood forest which has gradually been developed into fields. The farm will be expanding from apples and Christmas trees into garlic production to diversify crops and extend market reach year-round. Infrastructure improvements include a weather-tight pole barn for storage and production space and a new irrigation well to support consistent yields and resiliency through changing climate conditions.
Catskill Wagyu at Hilltop Farm (Accord) is a small family farm offering pasture-raised, grass-fed and grain finished Wagyu for direct sales to customers. It is Ulster County's only producer of this gourmet quality beef. Currently it maintains two closed herds: five Holsteins and sixty Wagyu beef cows. The farm will be upgrading its milking operations to a modern, energy-efficient facility with installations such as a tube cooler, milking station, and clean room renovation. These improvements will reduce water usage and compressor demand while optimizing milk handling efficiency. Funds will also support the construction of a more accessible and energy-conscious entryway.
Honeybee Sun Farm (Kerhonkson) has managed a 140-acre hay operation in for 13 years and has implemented agroforestry practices on the farm that diversify farm income while improving climate resilience, wildlife habitat, and watershed health. They will be responding to flood-related damage and erosion by establishing a contour chestnut orchard and an embankment pond with a spillway to manage surface runoff. A compact tractor will aid in maintaining the farm’s agroforestry systems, supporting sustainable land use and climate adaptability.
Hudson Valley Grown’s (Milton) operation was originally established in 1818 and opened up a long-standing roadside market 100 years later. The current (seventh) generation of the family Amy and Gerry have been operating as Hepworth Farms for over 20 years and are now producing on 400 acres of NOFA-certified production land growing more than 400 varieties of organic vegetables. They will be replacing an 80-year-old refrigeration system with energy-efficient equipment to reduce spoilage, environmental impact, and operating costs. The upgraded system improves temperature control, lowers refrigerant usage, and strengthens produce preservation — boosting both viability and sustainability.
Long Season Farm (Kerhonkson) is a small, diversified, certified organic vegetable farm focused on four-season production of high quality vegetables offered for sale at farmers markets. The farm embraces the seasons rather than struggles against them and so through the seasons it only selects varieties that do their absolute best for the period grown in. They will be consolidating infrastructure by constructing a fully insulated, energy-efficient four-season wash/pack facility equipped with mini-splits, coolers, and wash equipment. The project also supports a new septic system, enabling reliable year-round operations and long-term viability.
Prospect Hill Orchards / Clarke Farm Enterprise LLC Orchards (Milton) is a generational, family-operated fruit farm originally established in 1817. It produces strawberries, cherries, apricots, peaches, apples, pumpkins, produce and baked goods which can be found at NYC’s Greenmarkets and on farm through its robust “pick-your-own” operation and market. The farm will be purchasing a biodiesel-powered box truck to replace two aging delivery vehicles, reducing fuel costs and emissions. This upgrade addresses transportation limitations, expands distribution capacity, and supports both economic and environmental goals.
Sugarshack Mushrooms Farm (Highland) is a year-round, family-run organic mushroom farm. Since 2018 it has been devoted to growing nutrient-dense gourmet and medicinal specialty mushrooms. It grows sustainably in the forest, in a historic barn and a passive solar greenhouse. It also produces high quality mushroom tincture, grow-your-own mushrooms kits, spawn for home mushroom growers, and seasonal mushroom growing workshops. The farm will be installing solar panels on the barn and farmhouse to offset energy demands for climate control and pasteurization systems. Beginning in fall 2025, the system will generate over 22,000 kWh annually — making the semi-indoor mushroom farm fully solar powered, with surplus capacity to support future growth.
Treadlight Farm (Accord) has been specializing in growing certified organic ornamental plants and cut-flowers since 2015. Its goal is to provide top quality plants and flowers while making responsible choices for its staff and the environment. Treadlight will be acquiring an all-electric cargo van and charging station to expand delivery capacity and eliminate fossil fuel use from transport operations. The investment furthers sustainability goals, enables broader customer outreach, and reduces the farm’s carbon footprint.
Westwind Orchard (Accord) is a working orchard, event space, and cidery. They grow standard varieties like McIntosh and Stayman, adding new orchards of hard cider varieties along with heirloom dessert apple trees. Westwind Orchard ciders are produced in the traditional method using true cider apples from their orchard - all unfiltered and made with no added sulfites or sugar. Westwind will be investing in strategic infrastructure and crop diversification to adapt to climate variability. Grant funds will support overhead frost-protection sprinklers, cider-cooling systems to extend product shelf life, and new crop varieties that help stabilize operations amid extreme weather and shifting market conditions.
In reflecting upon the proposed projects and county commitment, HVADC Executive Director Todd Erling commented that “This was a very competitive grant application round which is a testament to the level of engagement the county has with its farmers. The projects proposed really exemplify the type of ingenuity and strategic thinking that farmers in the County have about how to ensure their viability and sustainability with a focus on improving efficiencies and resiliency.”
Many local officials and stakeholders commented on the announcement, including Kevin Lynch, Director of the Ulster County Department of Economic Development; Peter Criswell, Chair of the Ulster County Legislature, and former Chair of the ARPA Committee; Megan Sperry, Legislative Vice Chair and Chair of the Economic Development Planning, Education, Employment, Arts & Agriculture Committee; Ulster County Legislator Kathy Nolan; Ulster County Soil and Water Conservation District Executive Director Jake Wedemeyer; Matt Igoe, Rondout Valley Growers Association Executive Director. The full announcement may be found at https://ulstercountyny.gov/news/executive/ulster-county-executive-jen-metzger-announces-586k-grants-awarded-9-ulster-county
To learn more about grant programs administered by HVADC, visit https://www.hvadc.org/agribusiness-grants.