Farms and forest landowners in New York are set to receive $60 million in federal funding to help implement practices meant to curtail the effects of climate change, Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced. 

The money is part of the initial round of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's program to help agricultural producers and landowners make changes to their land management. 

"Sustainable agriculture is critical for combatting the effects of climate change, and this significant funding commitment will greatly aid New York's farm and forest owners, allowing us to partner together as a nation to reduce greenhouse gases," Hochul said. "Thanks to this funding announced under President Biden and his Administration, we take another major step towards improving our environment for the next generation.

New York's program at the state level was one of 70 selected nationally for the federal grant. Overall, the federal government is spending $2.8 billion nationally on the effort for 70 projects out of 450 proposals. 

The money is meant to encourage a "climate-smart commodity" in agriculture that is produced in ranching, farming or forestry using practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

"In New York State, private forests are removing climate-altering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere at a rate equal to the emissions from two million gasoline-powered vehicles, highlighting the importance of partnering with landowners to sustain our forests and fight climate change," said Basil Seggos, the commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation. "With strong partners in Washington, D.C., DEC will use these federal funds to implement our aggressive climate action plans by bolstering forest regeneration programs and encouraging landowner participation, while also helping small landowners and those in underserved communities offset costs to develop forest management plans."