Livestock water troughs, field division fencing, and stream fencing help protect waterways from nutrient, sediment, and bacterial pollution, while improving grazing efficiency.
Agricultural Programs
Updates
Voluntary Agriculture BMP Pilot Project: The TJSWCD was one of six Districts in Virginia chosen to address the possible discrepancy between the Chesapeake Bay TMDL Model and the true agricultural nutrient and sediment loads being produced. In August 2011, agricultural outreach technician, Mercer Garnett, was hired to travel the District and ascertain any and all voluntary BMP practices in place that have not been funded using state or federal money. This project is scheduled to continue into 2012 and should result in some clarity on agricultural allocations needed within the Bay Model. For questions about this project please contact Emily Nelson or call the office (434-975-0224). To contact Mercer Garnett to discuss voluntary practices please call him (434-989-8594).
Rivanna Farm was recognized by DCR in December 2010 with the Clean Farm Award. This 700-acre cattle fand timber farm, situated northeast of Charlottesville, is a productive, sustainable,healthy, and environmentally sound operation.
Agricultural Conservation Assistance Programs:
Several programs are available to provide funding for agricultural landowners to install conservation practices. The TJSWCD administers funding for the following programs:- Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMP) Cost-Share Program
- Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMP) Tax Credit Program
- Virginia's portion of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
During the 2008-2009 program year, the TJSWCD assisted landowners with the installation of conservation practices by providing $664,086 in program funding. In addition to many other practices, this included over 112,000 linear feet of stream fencing to keep livestock out of waterways.
In addition to providing financial assistance, the TJSWCD also provides technical assistance to landowners for the planning, design, and installation of agricultural conservation practices and for farm conservation planning in general.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Programs
(Administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service):
The TJSWCD partners with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
to support the local implementation of federal conservation programs.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) - These programs provides incentives for farmers to take land out of production and install riparian forest buffers and riparian herbaceous buffers.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program - EQIP provides funding for the implementation of conservation systems such as grazing land improvement systems, waste management, and wildlife management reforestation and management of timberland projects.
Cross-fencing allows rotational grazing systems, which improve grazing efficiency.
Conservation Technical Assistance
- Conservation plans written on 5967 acres.
- Developed 1 animal waste management plans.
- Developed 4 grazing plan written.
- Provided 671 brief technical assists.
Albemarle/Nelson
Louisa/Fluvanna
Agricultural Stewardship Act (ASA):
The ASA provides a procedure by which agricultural water quality problems can be addressed by looking at each farm individually, rather than having a strict set of regulations governing every type of farming practice. The procedure is complaint-based, with complaints submitted to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Soil and Water Conservation Districts were given the opportunity to conduct the investigations to determine if the subject of a complaint is actually causing pollution. The TJSWCD, believing that local administration of such a regulation is preferable, accepted this responsibility. In addition to conducting the investigation, the TJSWCD provides technical assistance to the farmer to develop a plan to alleviate water quality problems resulting from their operations. This year, the TJSWCD received only one ASA complaint, which was located in Albemarle County.
Assistance for Equine Operations:
Equine operations are becoming more common throughout the TJSWCD. While several federal, state, and local programs and ordinances consider horse farms a type of "agriculture", the Virginia Agricultural BMP Cost Share Program does not. Therefore, many horse farm owners cannot take advantage of this funding to assist them with the installation of conservation practices. The TJSWCD does, however, provide continuing technical assistance for horse owners throughout the District. In past years, the TJSWCD has been awarded limited grant funding to assist some horse owners. The District hopes to continue to find ways to encourage the installation of conservation practices on local horse farms.