ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – Southern Tier farms are getting greener.

On March 30, over $3.7 million in funding was announced for 33 farmers in the region to combat the impacts of climate change.

The money will be used to reduce emissions, protect water quality, and improve soil health. It comes from the state’s Climate Resilient Farming Grant program, which has reduced an estimated 642,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. That’s the equivalent of taking nearly 143,000 gas-powered vehicles off the road for a year.

“New York State has long been a leader in combating climate change, and a big part of that includes supporting our farmers,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “Ensuring New York’s agricultural industry has resources to mitigate the effects of climate change is critical to not only protecting our environment but also maintaining the economic viability of the state’s agricultural industry for generations to come.”

To date, $94 million has been doled out to 700 farms across the state, including more than $25 million to 133 in this round of funding. Half of the awarded projects this year involve a new participant.

“These awards will equip over 130 farms with the resources needed to help lower greenhouse gas emissions, improve water quality and boost resilience to the effects of climate change,” said Assemblymember Donna Lupardo. “New York continues to be a national leader in soil health practices and methane reduction, maintaining our commitment to these efforts despite significant federal cuts to these very initiatives.”

Additionally, over $6 million was awarded for projects on 11 farms in the Central New York Region.

Read more from Governor Hochul’s office here.