United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service		 Virginia Go to Accessibility Information
Skip to Page Content



  

Welcome to the Virginia NRCS Website

 

1099 Forms From NRCS Payments to be Reissued

Due to a system change in May 2012, IRS 1099 forms issued to farmers and ranchers who received NRCS financial assistance in 2012 may be incorrect. IRS forms distributed in January may list the wrong amount or may not have been issued to producers who should have received them. USDA is working to ensure a quick turnaround for expedited 1099 mailing. Corrected forms are scheduled to be reissued by USDA’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer in March.


CBWI Now Available in 2013 Farm Bill Signups

 
Livestock using a stream crossing.
Excluding livestock from streams helps to improve water quality.

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.  


Farmers can also apply for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to implement soil health practices such as cover crops, crop rotation, nutrient management, and rotational grazing. This year, EQIP offers incentive payments for farmers who develop conservation activity plans to better manage animal waste, grazing lands, fish and wildlife habitat, pollinator habitat, and energy consumption. Producers who grow nursery stock, vegetables and specialty crops may wish to sign up for an irrigation water management plan and our new micro-irrigation practices. The next cutoff date for these signups is February 15, 2013. 


Apply Now for GRP and WRP

 
WRP site.
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.


Winter Conferences Showcase Soil Health Messages

 
  North Dakota Soil Conservationist Jay Fuhrer
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. 
 

Features


Valley Farmer Opens New Doors for Conservation Education

 

George Rohrer discusses some of his conservation challenges with Harrisonburg DC Cory Guilliams.
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.”  

Read the full story.

 

Hispanic and Women Farmer Claims Logo
  

Cheseapeake Bay Virtual Diary Icon
Read Farmer Stories

Soil Secrets Graphic
Get Soil Health Resources

Gaining Ground CD Cover
View Movies/Order DVD


USDA plain language logo
Visit the USDA Plain
Language Website
   


Claims MUST be filed between September 24, 2012, and March 25, 2013, to be considered for cash payment or loan forgiveness.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment.