The Patrick Soil and Water Conservation District has been allocated cost share funds through Virginia’s Agricultural Best Management Practices Program to help improve water quality in Patrick County.
These funds are made available through appropriations by the Virginia General Assembly and are derived entirely from state sources.
Eligible BMP practices include but are not limited to: grazing systems, reforestation of erodible crop and pasture land, permanent vegetative cover on cropland, terraces, and waterways. Each BMP application will be ranked and funded according to a simple BMP ranking criteria approved by the Patrick Soil and Water Conservation District Board. Priority will be given to land with the highest water quality improvements.
Other program requirements and restrictions vary per practice. SWCDs administer the BMP program to encourage farmers to use BMPs on their land to better control sediment, nutrient loss, and transportation of pollutants into our waters from excessive surface flow, erosion, and leaching.
Those interested in cost-share assistance are encouraged to apply now during the sign-up period. To schedule a field visit or for further details, contact Tony Collins or Sandra Heath at the Patrick SWCD at (276) 694-3121, extension 3, or by stopping by the district office at 135 Stonewall Court behind Stuart Baptist Church. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency offices are also located in the same building..
