Virginia NRCS Success Stories

WHIP Used in Oyster Habitat Restoration Project

September 13, 2006- Oysters have played a key role in the health of the Chesapeake Bay, serving as a primary contributor to the Bay's filtration system and providing rich habitat for many underwater species. NRCS is working with one landowner to construct and seed an oyster reef in the waters along her property in Gloucester, Virginia.  Read more... 

South Hampton Roads RC&D Boosts Biodiesel at Workshop

September 2006- Gas prices have affected farmers in two ways- higher costs and increased opportunities.  In response to a growing interest among farmers, South Hampton Roads RC&D joined with Virginia Clean Cities to hold a biodiesel workshop.  Read more...

Wetlands and Wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay

May 2006- Through the years, wetlands have declined in the Chesapeake Bay watershed due to development, agriculture and other land uses. One farmer is using the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) to help  reverse this trend. Read more...
 

Preserving Farmland to Protect Family Traditions

March 2006- NRCS in Virginia is preserving some of the best farmland in one of the fastest growing counties in the state through cooperative conservation.  Partnering with Fauquier County and the Piedmont Environment Council (PEC), Virginia NRCS recently closed on its largest FRPP easement of 740 acres. Read more...

Locally Led Contract a Winner

February 2006- When Hurricane Isabel devastated major portions of Virginia in 2003, requests for Emergency Watershed Protection poured into the NRCS State Office.  To expedite repairs, NRCS encouraged sponsors to use locally led contracts.  For the City of Chesapeake, this resulted in a successful project and saved an estimated $100, 000 for sponsors and NRCS. Read more...

Wildlife Finds a Home in Southwest Virginia

October 2005- Since 1998, Randy Rhea has devoted 50 acres of his land to his hobby and passion--birds.  Rhea signed up for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to create and enhance wildlife habitat in the Belfast community. Read more...

Homeowner Inspires Neighbors to Protect Wildlife

June 2005- It could have been the developers destroying the wildlife habitat.  Maybe it was an article on quail habitat losses that motivated Beth Elkins.  Whatever it was, one thing is certain; residents in rural King George County are bring wildlife habitat back to their neighborhood.  Read more...

Residents in Greene County Reap Benefits of EWP

May 2005- In September 2003, severe flooding from Hurricane Isabel washed out part of the bank and nearly half of a road along the Middle River.  The residents in the affected subdivision asked for help. Contacted by Greene County, NRCS determined that the site would be eligible for funding through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP).  Read more...

FRPP Helps Preserve a Piece of History

February 2005- Landowner Jimmy Garnett was able to permanently preserve land his family has owned since the 1760s through the USDA NRCS Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program.  FRPP allowed placement of a perpetual conservation easement on the land to ensure it will only be used for agricultural purposes. Read more...

Successful Dam Removal on South Fork Shenandoah River

Northern Neck Farmers Reap Benefits of EQIP

October 2004- For almost a century, the Dixon family did not stray away from their conventional methods of farming, until about two years ago when NRCS’ District Conservationist, Debbie Bullock, introduced farmer Clifford Dixon to EQIP. Dixon agrees that using continuous no-till saves him time and money.  By not having to plow, he says there is less wear and tear on his machinery and that he uses less fuel.  Dixon also points out that erosion of the soil erosion is no longer a problem.  Read more...

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