The Agricultural Model Intercomparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP), Columbia University, the Watershed Agricultural Council (WAC), and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) collaborated on their third annual workshop for the project “Addressing Climate Challenges to Agriculture and Water Quality in the NYC Watershed”. The project, funded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, aims to assist in climate adaptation planning for the NYC Watershed Agricultural Program. The project officially launched in October of 2023.

Like previous annual workshops, the Year 3 Workshop was hosted at the Catskill Watershed Corporation in Arkville, New York, on November 6, 2025. The workshop objectives included:

1. 1. Presenting progress updates and findings to date to project partners and stakeholders
   2. Receiving feedback and discussing project direction and outputs with project partners and stakeholders
   3. Collaboratively fine-tuning the nature of deliverables heading into the final year

The workshop opened with welcome remarks from Terry Nipp, AgMIP Director for Policy and Development; Ryan Naatz, Executive Director of the Watershed Agricultural Council; and Michael VanderWerff, Deputy Director of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

Throughout the day, project partners shared current research findings and project updates and collaborated on shaping final project deliverables to ensure they are effective and applicable to stakeholder needs. Finally, the workshop participants agreed on a shared path forward for the project’s final year.

The workshop concluded with remarks from Terry Nipp, Ryan Naatz, and Michael VanderWerff, who each emphasized the importance of recognizing and building on the program’s existing successes. They noted that the project should rely on proven approaches as a foundation while remaining flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of farmers and watershed managers. Lastly, they underscored the importance of rigorously demonstrating the program’s environmental, soil health, and climate co-benefits to ensure its credibility and sustain its success into the future.

Additional Resources

Watershed Agricultural Council website: www.nycwatershed.org/
NYC Department of Environmental Protection website: www.nyc.gov/site/dep/index.page
Project press release: news.columbia.edu/news/columbia-announces-funding-climate-action-plan-ensure-new-york-city-water-quality