We had a busy year with many great programs! Read about it in our latest Annual Report. Enjoy!
Board Meetings
The Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors will meet the 4th Tuesday, of each month at 11:00 am in the conference room of the Prince Edward County Natural Resources and Agricultural Building located at 100 Dominion Drive, Farmville. The public is invited to attend.
Hours of Operation:
The Piedmont Soil & Water Conservation District is open normal operating hours of Monday-Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm.
Contact Information:
Our office number is (434) 392-3782 with appropriate extensions to follow:
*Agricultural Cost Share Program contact:
Kevin Dunn, ext. 116 kdunn@piedmontswcd.org
Charlie Wootton, ext. 128 cwootton@piedmontswcd.org
Ty Smith ext. 131 tsmith@piedmontswcd.org
*Septic Program assistance: Ty Smith ext. 131 tsmith@piedmontswcd.org
*General information about District Operations/Programs contact:
Deanna Fehrer, ext. 108 dfehrer@piedmontswcd.org
*No-till drill rental, contact: William ‘Billy’ Patterson (434) 298-7258 (call or text)
*Education Programming and Resources, contact:
Kelly Atkinson, ext. 132 katkinson@piedmontswcd.org
Now Accepting Agriculture Cost-share Applications
The Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District (PSWCD) is now accepting applications for the agricultural best management practices (BMPs) cost-share program. The cost-share program provides financial incentives, tax credits, and cost-share to agricultural producers who voluntarily install conservation practices on their farm to improve water quality. Agricultural best management practices (BMPs) are measures that farmers can take to not only improve soil and water quality but increase the productivity of their land or farming operation. Benefits include decreased erosion, increased soil organic matter, cleaner streams, and healthier animals.
New this program year are more options for livestock stream exclusion, including higher cost-share rates and a buffer payment, depending on buffer width (distance of fence from stream.) Livestock exclusion practices that are out of contractual lifespan may now be eligible for cost-share funding to re-enroll. There are also new practices to help with rotational grazing. Other available BMPs include: cover crops, which are planted following harvest and act as an anchor to prevent soil and nutrient runoff ; long term vegetative cover on cropland, in the form of cool-season or warm-season grasses to reduce soil erosion; and nutrient management, which allows a farmer to apply the correct amount of nutrients to a crop to maximize growth while saving on the cost of excess fertilizers that wash into local streams.
Piedmont SWCD serves Amelia, Nottoway, and Prince Edward Counties. To find out more information or to schedule an appointment for staff to make a visit to your farm, contact Charlie Wootton at 434-392-3782 ext. 128, Kevin Dunn ext. 116 or Ty Smith ext. 131.
Click here for the cost-share brochure!
Click the photos below to find out more information!
Septic Financial Assistance Program
Get up to 50% off the cost of septic pump-outs, repairs, and replacements.
Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP)
Receive financial incentives to install landscaping features that help reduce stormwater runoff in your yard.
