Photo: Yulia Naumenko / Moment / Getty Images
Ulster County is launching a new Agricultural Sustainability Revolving Loan Fund to support small and mid-sized farms. The Ulster County Legislature approved County Executive Jen Metzger's proposal to establish this $700,000 fund, which aims to provide accessible, flexible, and affordable capital to local farms. The program will prioritize projects that enhance farm viability through diversification, operational efficiency in energy and water use, and climate resiliency. Eligible projects include investments in equipment, infrastructure, technology upgrades, renewable energy systems, and climate adaptation measures.
The loan program, expected to open in spring 2026, will be administered by the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC), a Community Development Financial Institution with expertise in the region's agriculture sector. HVADC has previously administered the Ulster County Farm Viability and Sustainability Grant Program. According to County Executive Metzger, "Our farms are the backbone of Ulster County's economy and rural heritage, and the new loan fund will help our farms diversify, modernize, and build resilience for the long term" (Mid Hudson News).
Legislator Megan Sperry, who sponsored the resolution, emphasized the importance of supporting local agriculture: "When we support our farms, we support their families, their communities, and the County at large" (GovDelivery). The initiative is a key recommendation from the 2025 Ulster County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Plan, reflecting a commitment to sustaining the county's agricultural industry.
