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Virginia farmers can now apply for funds to implement conservation practices under the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative (CBWI), which was extended under the Taxpayer Relief Act. Eligible producers in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed can sign up for specific practices to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff into waterways. Sign up is continuous, but funding selections are made at specific times. For CBWI, those dates are March 15, April 19, and May 17. Read the full CBWI release.
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Wetland protected under WRP. |
NRCS is now accepting applications for two conservation easement programs recently re-authorized under the extension of the 2008 Food, Farm and Jobs Bill (Farm Bill):
The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) offers funding for perpetual easements and 10-, 15- or 20-year rental contracts to protect and improve grazing lands. Certain grassland easements or rental contracts may be eligible for cost-share assistance up to 50 percent for the installation of needed conservation practices on GRP acreage.
The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) helps landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. WRP offers funding for permanent easements, 30-year easements, and a 10-year restoration cost sharing agreement.
Applications for both programs will be ranked on a competitive basis. The first cutoff date for funding consideration is March 15, 2013. Read the GRP and WRP releases.
Jay Fuhrer |
North Dakota Soil
Conservationist Jay Fuhrer will join a host of national and state speakers to promote the benefits of no-till farming and technology at the
2013 Virginia No-Till Alliance Winter Conferences. Fuhrer will explore
conservation tillage's positive effects on soil quality and soil health at each
of the following four meetings tailored to local grower needs:
● Rockingham County Fairgrounds,
Feb. 12
● Olde Dominion Ag Complex,
Feb. 13
● Keystone Tractor Museum, Feb. 14
● University Hall, Mary Washington College, Feb. 15
Kansas State University Assistant Professor DeAnn Presley will also
speak at all meetings, addressing hot topics such as vertical tillage. Each
program begins at 9 a.m. and will feature local
farmers and state experts as an integral part of the program. Visit the
Virginia No-Till
Alliance website to learn more about speakers and topics for the meeting in
your area.
Rohrer (left) with Harrisonburg DC Cory Guilliams. |
You don't have to go far to find Virginia farmers who are both good stewards and good citizens. Some donate produce to local food banks and others allow gleaning on their fields. Then there are others like George Rohrer who freely share their time and talents with others. The Rockingham County producer was one of the first Valley farmers enrolled in the Conservation Stewardship program and was a 2008 recipient of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Clean Water/Bay Friendly Farm Award for the Shenandoah River Basin. Though he’s got a lot on his plate, he still finds time to invite his neighbors to the table to learn more about the Dayton, VA, dairy and poultry operation he runs with his brother Ralph.
"Ag has gotten its share of bad publicity, and it’s good to educate people about how it can be done well,” says Rohrer. “Changes in technology can create a moving target for today’s farmers. The key is to integrate conservation as well as you can without significant losses in profitability.”
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The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.