Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-share Sign-up: July 15- August 21

Farmers and landowners on Virginia’s Eastern Shore may be eligible for financial assistance to plant winter cover crops through the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practice Cost-share Program.

The program is administered locally by the Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District. Officials said sign-up will be by appointment only and will begin July 15 and continue through Aug. 21. Appointments will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cost-share assistance is intended to help offset a portion of the cost of establishing cover crops. District officials said a variety of fall cover crop programs are available, including small grain cover crops, harvestable cover crops, legume cover crops, and cover crops for specialty crops and vegetables. Planting dates and cost-share rates vary depending on the practice.

The district said it strongly supports cover crops as one of the leading best management practices to help reduce nutrient leaching into groundwater and to help meet Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan goals.

To qualify for cost-share on approved practices, applicants must have a current nutrient management plan prepared by a certified Virginia nutrient management planner. Cost-share funding is also available for the writing or revision of nutrient management plans, and sign-up for those acres will also be accepted during the same period.

Officials noted that Virginia law also provides tax credits for certain best management practices. For practices that are not funded through cost-share but are still planted according to Department of Conservation and Recreation specifications, Virginia tax credits may be available. Sign-up for those tax credit opportunities will also take place during the cover crop sign-up period.

Farmers and landowners interested in scheduling an appointment may contact District Manager Carmie Ross at 757-302-4431, Conservation Specialist Ben Young at 757-302-4437, or Conservation Specialist Lucy Earl at 757-302-4421.

More information about the cover crop program and other district offerings is available at the Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District website, esswcd.org.