USDA Grants More Than $1.5 Million to Protect New York Crops and Natural Resources

Press Release

Media Contacts:
Cecilia Sequeira, 202-494-5083
k.cecilia.sequeira@usda.gov

Suzanne Bond, 301-538-9322
suzanne.m.bond@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, January 14, 2025 – New York is set to receive more than $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to combat invasive plant pests and diseases and protect the state’s vital agriculture and natural resources. This funding is part of a $70 million nationwide initiative supporting 357 projects across 49 states, Tribal lands, Guam, and Puerto Rico, authorized under the Plant Protection Act Section 7721.

“New York has more than 33,700 farms, spanning 6.5 million acres, and almost 700 farmers markets” said USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “Protecting New York’s agricultural industry is critical. These projects will help protect New York’s agricultural resources, which will also protect our national food security.”

The funding will support projects covering a range of plant health protection activities, including, but not limited to:

• $520,000 to conduct orchard, grape and stone fruit commodity surveys;
• $174,505 to support National Clean Plant Network plant stocks for grapes; 
• $306,270 to support the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s emerald ash borer mitigation and emergency response efforts;
• $217,793 to update regulatory activities for golden nematode management;
• $288,132 to conduct National Plant Diagnostic Network and State Diagnostician preparedness training; and
• $178,905 for molecular research toward developing an alternative to insecticides for wood-boring insect management.

These efforts are part of a broader mission to ensure U.S. agriculture thrives in the face of new challenges. Since 2009, USDA has invested nearly $940 million in more than 5,800 projects to detect and respond to invasive plant pests and diseases quickly. This work also ensures specialty crop producers have access to certified, disease-free plants.

For a full list of projects funded in New York and nationwide, visit the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website.