Our 5 Biggest Climate & Agriculture Stories of 2025

It was a big year for climate and agriculture issues in the Catskills and Northeast Pennsylvania region in 2025.

From President Trump’s new administration halting billions in federal funds and food access programs to the revival of a fracked gas pipeline proposal that could affect our region, we recap some of the biggest environmental stories we covered in 2025.

1) Young Farmers Feel the Freeze of Federal Funding

Farmers Chris Nickell and Brenda González of Finca Seremos (Photo Credit: Finca Seremos)

In January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) froze millions of dollars and halted several Biden-era programs that supported the region’s farmers and growers. Locally, Sullivan County Cornell Cooperative Extension’s (CCE) Beginner Farmer program was temporarily put on hold due to frozen federal funds.

Although CCE’s Beginner Farmer program and some USDA funding has since resumed, the freeze hit young and beginner farmers especially hard during their early years of production. Local farms, including Gael Roots Community Farm and Finca Seremos, said the delayed funding could have supported critical infrastructure, such as foundational fencing, farmworker wages, or their first high tunnel.

2) Communities Nationwide Push to Close Their Incinerators. Sullivan County Wants to Build a New One.

Energy Justice Network’s Mike Ewall speaking at the September 29 Community Town Hall at the Black Library in Monticello (Photo Credit: Kimberly Izar)

The talk around trash heated up in 2025. In August, Sullivan County approved its first local solid waste management plan in more than 30 years, which includes a proposal to build a new trash incinerator. If built, it would be the first new incinerator to break ground in the United States in over a decade.

Residents and activists pushed back against the proposal at county legislative meetings, community town halls, and planning boards throughout the year. While Sullivan County has not yet issued a final RFP for the incinerator, the issue is one we’ll be watching in 2026.

3) Government Shutdown Leaves Food Insecure Residents, Farmers, Local Agencies Scrambling

Photo Credit: iStock

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history left hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in limbo. Food access organizations and county agencies reported a tremendous increase in demand as furloughed workers turned to local food banks and pantries and SNAP benefits were delayed.

In Sullivan County, nearly 15 percent of the population rely on SNAP. Although SNAP benefit distribution resumed in November, many recipients were unclear when they would arrive. President Trump’s federal changes to SNAP , including eligibility requirements and purchasing restrictions, will take effect in 2026.

4) With Route 17 Expansion Paused, Climate Advocates Push for Transit Alternatives

Bird’s eye view of Route 17 (Photo Credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

The New York State Department of Transportation hit pause on its $1.4 billion plan to expand Route 17 through Orange and Sullivan counties following community pushback. In October, the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) quietly announced it needed more time to review project alternatives.

Environmental and transportation advocates from the coalition ReThink Route17 Alliance are hopeful that the pause signals lawmakers are listening to community concerns – and possibly scrapping the third-lane expansion for good. New York’s DOT plans to release its draft environmental impact statement in 2026.

5) Controversial NESE Pipeline Moves Through as Upstate Constitution Pipeline Waits in the Wings

NYS Pipeline Safety Program (Credit: NY.gov)

The once-dead Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE), a pipeline that would bring fracked gas from central Pennsylvania through New Jersey and into New York City, is now one more step towards revival.

In November, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) issued a critical water quality permit for the construction of the project, which had previously been rejected three times. New Jersey issued its water quality permits for its length of the pipeline later that day. New York Governor Kathy Hochul supported NYSDEC’s approval decision after Trump criticized Hochul for not moving quickly enough on the controversial pipeline.

Lead Image: Entrance sign of the Sullivan County transfer station in Monticello, N.Y. (Photo Credit: Kimberly Izar)