A record amount of funding is available to Botetourt County farmers from cost share programs administered by Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District (MCSWCD). Most of the funding is tied to efforts to improve the health of the James River and the Chesapeake Bay, although farms in other parts of the county are also eligible to receive cost share.
“We probably have the money to fence cattle out of every stream in Botetourt where they still have access,” said Dan Naff, new conservation technician for MCSWCD. Agriculture remains the largest contributor to nonpoint source pollution in the upper James, but the cost of installing infrastructure such as fences and alternative watering systems can be a large deterrent to farms whose “bottom line” continues to shrink. Through district programs, farmers can be reimbursed for up to 100% of the costs for certain conservation initiatives.
The process begins with a call or email to Naff, who will schedule a site visit to the farm. “We want to identify issues that are affecting the stream, such as animal waste and erosion, but we also want to learn about the goals and objectives of the farm. We obviously care about protecting water, but we also want to do things that are in the best financial interests of the farm,” said Naff. As it turns out, many of the “best management practices” Naff recommends do both.
On June 9 at 6 p.m., MCSWCD will host a field day at Beaver Dam Farm to talk more about their programs and to give the public a chance to meet Naff, who has been with the district since mid-March. Activities will include dinner and a hay wagon ride to view conservation practices that have been implemented on the farm. The program will include a presentation from VSU’s Small Farm Outreach Program, so individuals new to farming and those who have small farms are encouraged to attend.
The event is free, but RSVPs are required. Call (540) 400-0707 or email tim.miller@mountaincastles.org for more information or to reserve your space.
~ MCSWCD
