Whether you’re an experienced producer or just getting started with sheep and goats, our Small Ruminant Workshop and Pasture Walk program offers practical information to help improve flock health and pasture productivity. Learn about effective parasite management strategies, rotational grazing practices, and cost share opportunities to support a successful small ruminant operation.
This program is FREE!
Registration is required by October 11th for dinner!
October 15 
Haw Branch Farm, Amelia, VA
Dinner will be provided!
Registration is required by October 11 to be included in the meal count. Learn more and sign up here: https://pears.io/events/vce/10852/
For questions, contact Mackenzie Gunn, ANR Agent at mgunn@vt.edu or 804-561-2481
If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Mackenzie Gunn, Amelia Office at 804-561-2481/TDD* during business hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.
*TDD number is (800) 828-1120
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) 392-7071 with appropriate extensions to follow:
*Agricultural Cost Share Program contact:
Kevin Dunn, ext. 3 kdunn@piedmontswcd.org
Charlie Wootton, ext. 1 cwootton@piedmontswcd.org
Ty Smith, ext. 2 tsmith@piedmontswcd.org
*Septic Program assistance: Ty Smith, ext. 2 tsmith@piedmontswcd.org
*General information about District Operations/Programs contact:
Paula Totten, ext. 7 ptotten@piedmontswcd.org
Deanna Fehrer, ext. 5 dfehrer@piedmontswcd.org
*Program Support Specialist: Claire Helmke, ext. 6 chelmke@piedmontswcd.org
*No-till drill rental, contact: William ‘Billy’ Patterson (434) 298-7258 (call or text)
*Education Programming and Resources, contact:
Kelly Atkinson, ext. 4 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.
