Watch videos and learn about agricultural
conservation practices and cost-share programs!

The following four videos were produced in partnership with the James River Association, Piedmont SWCD, Peter Francisco SWCD and Bruce Berryhill. The project was funded by Altria.

The Peter Francisco SWCD, Piedmont SWCD, Robert E. Lee SWCD, Michelle Kokolis (JRA) and Bruce Berryhill were awarded the June Sekoll Media Award for this media project.

View them on Youtube!

Rainwater Harvesting
http://www.youtube.com/user/JamesRiverAssoc#p/u/0/Tdvpqp2UwPU

Pasture Management and Alternative Energy http://www.youtube.com/user/JamesRiverAssoc#p/u/1/s2oiy1uuwl0

Cover Crops and Nutrient Management
http://www.youtube.com/user/JamesRiverAssoc#p/u/2/3pFawAp_JrQ

Livestock Exclusion and Rotational Grazing http://www.youtube.com/user/JamesRiverAssoc#p/u/3/dyL8qrVp7jg

The Downstream Project produced the Gaining Ground movies in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia No-Tillage Alliance, Virginia Forage and Grassland Council, and the Shenandoah and New River-Highlands Resource Conservation and Development Councils. 

Click on Gaining Ground Virginia to watch videos on no-till drilling and grazing management.

And the 2011 District Clean Water Farm Award Goes To...

Chairman, Mike Russell, presents Michael and Debbie Coates with the 2011 District Clean Water Farm Award for the conservation efforts on their farm in Campbell County

District hosted Agricultural Field Day
Campbell County

The Robert E. Lee Soil SWCD funds agricultural best management practices.

Are you a producer?

Do you want to improve both farm productivity and water quality?

Click on the brochure for more information:

VA Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program (VACS)

This program provides funds used to help install conservation practices that protect water quality. Funding availability varies by District. The state provides District funds to target areas with known water quality needs. Areas with the greatest need receive the greatest funding.

The cost-share program supports using numerous practices in conservation planning to treat animal waste, cropland, pastureland and forest land. Some are paid for at a straight per acre rate, while others are cost-shared on a percentage basis up to 75%. In some cases, USDA also pays a percentage. In fact, the program’s practices often can be funded by a combination of state, federal and even private funds, reducing the landowner’s expense to less than 20% of the total cost.

Demand for cost-share assistance is great, and Districts support the implementation of those BMPs that meet local water quality guidelines. Since all requests cannot be satisfied, priority ranking of practices must be used to make sure that money is distributed and spent wisely.

The most an individual may receive is $50,000. The state cost-share payment, combined with federal payments, will not exceed 75 % of the total eligible costs of the straight per acre rate.            

 Agricultural BMP Tax Credit Program

This program, which began in 1998, supports the voluntary installation of BMPs that address Virginia’s NPS pollution water quality objectives. Agricultural producers with approved conservation plan can take a credit against the state income tax of 25% for eligible BMP expenses. The tax credit amount cannot exceed $17,500 or the total state income tax obligation for the given tax year, but any excess expenses can be carried over for up to five years.

Click here for a list of the 2011 VACS Eligible Practices

VACS 2011 Program Manual

TMDL Cost-Share Available in Appomattox and Campbell County

Includes the watersheds of Falling River, Cub Creek & Turnip Creek

4 hole-watering trough can be accessed by two pastures

Click here to learn about our conservation partner's cost-share programs