Troy Bishopp (right), Northeastern National Grazing Lands Coalition Resource Manager and Owner of Bishopp Family Farm, one of the 2025 New York Soil Health Mini-Grant recipients, collaborates with Joseph Amsili (left), program director of New York Soil Health, and Bryan Brown (center), Integrated Pest Management Specialist at Cornell IPM, on knapweed biocontrol research, pausing for ice cream at Cornell Dairy.
The New York Soil Health Mini-Grant Program has announced the recipients of its 2025 funding cycle.
This year’s mini-grant recipients are addressing some of New York’s most pressing soil health challenges, including testing mulching materials to reduce erosion, exploring non-chemical methods for controlling invasive weeds, monitoring under-vine cover crops in vineyards, and creating educational tools like a guide to cover cropping for community gardens. Updates on their progress will be shared in the coming months.
Here are the seven projects selected for 2025, and the soil health solutions they aim to achieve:
Organizing On-Farm Soil Health Demonstrations and Field Day for Northern New York
Objective: This project will focus on on-farm research and a field day exploring soil health and cover cropping practices on field crop farms in the tri-county area (Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties).
The Benefits of Cover Cropping: Effects on Soil Infiltration and Erosion Reduction
Objective: Increasing knowledge and usage of cover crops in Wayne County. This project targets three groups: row crop farmers, orchardists using herbicides for weed control, and youth interested in sustainable food production.
Mulch Matters: A Test Plot for Resilient Farming
Objective: Testing four mulching materials at Salt City Harvest Farm, in Madison County, to reduce water use, erosion, and nutrient loss in sandy soils. A 1/8-acre plot will compare the impact on water retention, weed control, and plant health. Farmers and stakeholders will be invited to quarterly observation meetings to discuss findings and explore applications.
Impacts of Cover Crops Including Under-Vine White Clover in a Concord Grape Vineyard in New York State
Objective: Monitoring the impacts of cover crops, including under-vine Microclover (a white clover cultivar), in a Concord grape vineyard in Yates County. The study aims to clarify how under-vine cover cropping affects vines and soil nutrients.
A knapweed flower head with a weevil, part of efforts to explore non-chemical weed management in New York pastures. Photo: Troy Bishopp
Understanding and Implementing Non-Chemical Ways to Control Knapweed in New York Pastures
Objective: Understanding soil drivers of knapweed and trialing non-chemical ways to control knapweed in NY pastures. The study will trial different non-chemical control methods, including intensive grazing, mowing, and organic amendments, among others, and reassess stands next year. The study will also measure soil nutrients, compaction, and general soil health in areas with no knapweed and high knapweed. Results will be shared at farmer meetings.
Guide to Cover Cropping for Community Gardens
Objective: Creating an illustrated guide to help community gardeners (in Rochester, NY, and beyond) understand the value of cover cropping and learn best practices for planting and terminating cover crops at a small scale.
Utilizing Biochar in a Hügelkultur Bed: Modeling Diversified Soil Building Materials and Methods
Objective: Demonstrating how biochar and hügelkultur beds can address soil and weather challenges while creating alternative growing spaces. This project in Tioga County will also serve as a resource for future outreach programming.