Conservation Funds Available for Local Farms
Staff
©Rappahannock News 2005
08/24/2005
(CULPEPER, VA) – The Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices
Cost-Share Program provides funds used to help install conservation practices
that protect water quality. Administered locally by the Culpeper Soil
and Water Conservation District, the cost-share program supports numerous
practices to restore and protect stream banks, better stabilize cropland,
manage pasture land for maximum benefit, better utilize animal manures
and manage forest land. All are designed to prevent soil and nutrients
from being lost and entering local streams. Commonly referred to as “best
management practices,” some management practices are paid at a
straight per acre rate or are cost-shared on a percentage basis up to
75 percent of the total cost of the installation. In addition, the Virginia
Best Management Practices Tax Credit Program allows producers to receive
up to a 25 percent tax credit on their out-of-pocket expenses incurred
on the installation of the best management practices. The conservation
district has approximately $500,000 available to local farmers interested
in improved stewardship. Of this, $62,420 has been prioritized for nutrient
management, cover crops and continuous no-till. These practices have
been identified by the Commonwealth as the most effective practices for
promoting Chesapeake Bay restoration.
There are also numerous opportunities for conservation incentive payments
through United States Department of Agriculture programs. Land owners/
managers interested in pursuing conservation improvements should contact
the Culpeper District office at (540) 825-8591 or (540) 672-1638.
All producers in the Culpeper District coverage area are potentially
eligible. The member counties are Culpeper, Greene, Madison, Orange and
Rappahannock.
The mission of Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District is to promote
the stewardship of soil and water and the conservation of our natural
resources by educating and providing technical assistance to manage,
protect, and enhance the land and water for the benefit and enjoyment
of the citizens of Culpeper, Greene, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock
counties.
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