Agricultural Environmental Innovation Demonstration Program (AEIDP)
The Agricultural Environmental Innovation Demonstration Program (AEIDP) is a one-time competitive grant opportunity supporting farms interested in demonstrating innovative equipment and technology that improves air and water quality, strengthens farm operations, and generates practical lessons for other farmers.
The program is administered by the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC) and funded by the New York State Office of the Attorney General.
Funding & Awards
The 2026 Agricultural Equipment and Innovation Demonstration Program supported innovative projects across three funding categories.
- Soil Health & Cover Crop Management: 6 projects totaling $219,366.00 were awarded to support no-till and reduced-tillage systems, cover crop establishment and management, and other equipment-based approaches to improving soil health and reducing environmental impacts.
- Agricultural Drones & Custom Drone Services: 3 farms were awarded to purchase drones as pilots totaling $150,000, and an addition 4 farms were awarded custom drone services at $50 per acre totaling $64,380.00. All drone projects involve agricultural drone technology and contracted drone services for applications such as cover crop seeding and targeted pesticide applications.
- Innovative Equipment & Precision Agriculture Technology: 22 projects totaling $913,934.79 were awarded to utilize advanced agricultural technologies, including GPS guidance, sensors, precision equipment, and other data-driven tools with demonstrated agricultural and environmental benefits.
The program received substantial interest from Watershed Agricultural Program participants, resulting in a competitive review process. Awards were selected through an independent review process based on the program’s established evaluation criteria.
WAC will continue to monitor project implementation and work with participating farms and research partners to evaluate the effectiveness and potential broader application of these technologies and practices within the Watershed Agricultural Program.
Project Term
Funded projects include a three-year engagement period beginning in the first year of operation following award. Participating farms are responsible for operating and maintaining funded equipment and participating in project monitoring, demonstration, and evaluation activities. At the conclusion of the three-year project term, equipment ownership remains with the participating farm, provided all grant requirements have been satisfied.
The 2026 Agricultural Equipment and Innovation Demonstration Program has completed its competitive application and award process. 35 projects have been awarded to 26 farms across the Watershed Agricultural Program.
Current and upcoming program activities include:
- Project Implementation: Awarded farms are completing procurement, equipment delivery, installation, and implementation of funded projects in accordance with their grant agreements.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: WAC and Cornell Farmers Datalab will work with participating farms to document project implementation, environmental outcomes, and operational experiences.
- Demonstration and Outreach: Participating farms will have opportunities to share project experiences and demonstrate innovative equipment and practices to other farmers.
- Future Program Development: WAC will use lessons learned, project results, and participant feedback to inform agricultural efforts.
For questions about awarded projects or the Agricultural Equipment and Innovation Demonstration Program, please contact WAC at agprogram@nycwatershed.org.
Application
The application period for the Agricultural Equipment and Innovation Demonstration Program has closed, and awards have been completed.
WAC is now focused on supporting awarded farms through project implementation, equipment procurement and installation, monitoring, evaluation, and demonstration activities. Questions regarding the program or current awarded projects may be directed to agprogram@nycwatershed.org.
Who Can Participate
The 2026 Agricultural Equipment and Innovation Demonstration Program was available to farms participating in the Watershed Agricultural Program that:
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Are located in the New York City West-of-Hudson Watershed,
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Meet the Watershed Agricultural Program’s eligibility requirements for active farm status and are in good standing;
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Attest that they:
- Are not engaged in any legal proceeding with WAC, its subcontractors (including research partners such as Cornell), or members of the Independent Review Committee;
- Do not owe past-due federal, state, or local taxes, unless they are making payments under a government-approved agreement with the appropriate taxing authority; and
- Are in compliance with applicable environmental, agricultural, and other laws, including, as applicable, local tax, housing, agricultural, and environmental requirements; and
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Are willing to:
- Participate in project monitoring, demonstration, and outreach activities;
- Share project-related data and management information with WAC and research partners; and
- Operate and maintain funded equipment in accordance with the grant agreement.
These requirements continue to apply to participating farms throughout the applicable project term.
Contact
For more information or to sign up for updates:
Email: agprogram@nycwatershed.org
Phone: 607-865-7090