KINGSTON – The Ulster County Legislature has approved County Executive Jen Metzger’s proposal to establish an Ulster County Agricultural Sustainability Revolving Loan Fund, a new low-cost lending program designed to provide accessible, flexible, and affordable capital to small and mid-sized farms.
The fund, capitalized at $700,000, will prioritize projects that enhance farm viability by supporting diversification, operational efficiency in energy and water use, and climate resiliency. Eligible projects may include investments in equipment, infrastructure, technology upgrades, renewable energy systems, and climate adaptation measures. The program will be open to all small- and mid-sized farms, and will include outreach to historically underserved farm businesses that have faced higher barriers to accessing capital.
The loan program is expected to open in Spring 2026.
“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,” Metzger said.
The new revolving loan program will be administered for the county by the Hudson Valley AgriBusiness Development Corporation (HVADC) — a Community Development Financial Institution with expertise in the region’s agriculture sector. HVADC also administered the Ulster County Farm Viability and Sustainability Grant Program on behalf of the county.
“When we support our farms, we support their families, their communities, and the County at large,” said Legislator Megan Sperry, chairwoman of the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee, who sponsored the resolution on behalf of the County Executive. “We are a county that is rich in agriculture and benefits greatly from agri-tourism. Our farmers face rising costs associated with tariffs, climate change, and cost of living increases. Anytime we can invest in our farms we invest in our residents. The Agricultural Sustainability Revolving Loan Fund is a huge investment that will have positive impacts all across Ulster County.”
“As a farmer myself, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to access affordable capital when you need to invest in equipment, improve infrastructure, or adapt to changing conditions in these economic times,” said Legislator Herb Litts, deputy chairman of the Economic Development, Planning, Education, Employment, Arts and Agriculture Committee. “This revolving loan fund is more than a financial tool — it’s a lifeline that will help our farms remain viable for the next generation. By giving farmers the flexibility to strengthen their operations and build resilience, Ulster County is making a real commitment to the people who put food on our tables and sustain our rural way of life.”
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