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By Peter Acker Special to the Rappahannock News
The Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program provides funds used to help install conservation practices that protect water quality. Administered locally by the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District, the cost-share program provides funding to install numerous practices to restore and protect stream banks, better stabilize cropland, manage pasture land for maximum benefit, better utilize animal manures and manage forest land. All are designed to prevent soil and nutrients from being lost and entering local streams and to provide producers with additional management tools. Commonly referred to as “best management practices,” some are paid at a straight per acre rate or are cost-shared on a percentage basis up to 75 percent of the total cost of the installation. In addition, the Virginia Best Management Practices Tax Credit Program allows producers to receive up to a 25 percent tax credit on their out-of-pocket expenses incurred on the installation of the best management practices.
As of January 11 the District has approximately $508,000 available to local producers interested in improved stewardship. Of this, $21,238 is available for nutrient management, cover crops and continuous no-till. These three practices have been identified by the Commonwealth as the most cost effective practices for promoting Chesapeake Bay restoration.
There are also numerous opportunities for conservation incentive payments through United States Department of Agriculture programs. Land owners/managers interested in pursuing conservation improvements should contact the Culpeper District office at (540) 825-8591 or (540) 672-1638. All producers in the Culpeper District coverage area are potentially eligible. The member counties are Culpeper, Greene, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock.
Although many producers are familiar with the opportunities to receive 75 percent cost
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