Purpose of Agricultural Cost-Share Program for Conservation Practices: 

To provide financial assistance (share the cost) for the construction of agricultural conservation practices that will improve Virginia’s water quality

• Payment rates vary per practice; percentage rates and flat-rates

• Tax Credit is offered on Out-of-Pocket Expenses

• Some practices are ONLY eligible for tax credit, and not eligible for cost-share

• Eligibility requirements (self-certifiable):

  • For the purposes of the Virginia Agricultural Cost-Share Program, agricultural land shall

be defined as “land being used in a BONA FIDE program of agricultural management and

engaged in the production of agricultural, horticultural or forest products for market”.

• The real estate must consist of a minimum of five contiguous acres and have verifiable gross receipts in excess of $1,000 per year from the production or sale of agricultural, horticultural or forest products produced on the applicant’s agricultural land for each of the past three years. 

• Application approval is based on:

  • Application ranking - applications are ranked for approval according to a conservation efficiency factor and adopted secondary considerations

  • Funding availability

 

Buckingham and Cumberland agriculture producers and landowners interested in signing up for the conservation practice cost-share program which runs from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 can contact the Peter Francisco Soil and Water Conservation District at (434) 983-7923 or send an email to kelly.snoddy@vaswcd.org or cody.smith@vaswcd.org.

 

• We recommend scheduling an appointment/field visit with District staff to ensure an efficient sign-up. 

• Applications and W-9 forms for the cost-share/tax-credit program must be to District staff no later than the Wednesday before the monthly Board meeting to be considered in the monthly round. 

• All Board meetings are on the third Wednesday of the month, unless otherwise stated.  

 

 

 

Steps towards applying for Cost-share Funding

• Set up appointment/field visit with District staff

• Review available options/practices

• Fill out cost-share application (Part I) and W-9 form

• Design/cost-estimate will be drawn up by staff & reviewed by applicant

• Applications go before Board of Directors at a monthly meeting for review

• Construction cannot begin until practice is approved for funding & designs provided

• Project components must be installed according to designs and specifications provided by SWCD/DCR

• Cost-share payment is reimbursable after all components are installed and approved to meet specifications by District staff and invoices collected

 

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) administers programs through local soil and water conservation districts (SWCDs) to improve or maintain water quality.  Through these programs, financial and technical assistance are offered as incentives to construct or implement various conservation practices. The Commonwealth of Virginia supports the Peter Francisco Soil and Water Conservation District through financial and administrative assistance provided by the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. 

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• The Virginia Agricultural BMP Cost-Share Program

• The Virginia BMP Tax Credit Program

 

SWCDs offer cost-share and technical assistance on various conservation practices.  Specifications for those conservation practices can be found in the current manual.

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• Virginia Agricultural BMP Cost Share Manual

 

See the link below for information on a loan program offered to assist with installation of conservation practices prior to receiving the cost-share reimbursement from the SWCD​

• DEQ Loan Program

 

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