Governor Northam Announces Record $73 Million in Funding for Improved Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program

“Conservation districts serve as the front line, the boots on the ground, when it comes to implementing agricultural best management practices,” said Dr. Kendall Tyree, Executive Director of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. “Having the adequate resources to accomplish that task is critical to their success.”

Let our Technicians talk to you about the implementation of BMPs for better water quality.

Contact our office at (571) 918-4530 ext.#106 for Jay Frankenfield (jay.frankenfield@lswcd.org), Pat McIlvaine at ext.#104 (pat.mcilvaine@lswcd.org), or Chris Van Vlack at ext.#107 (chris.vanvlack@lswcd.org).

Septic Tank Pump-Out Rebates Available

 

Click here for the Septic System Pump Out Application

Proper septic system use and routine care are vital to protecting public health, preserving our groundwater, lakes, streams and waterways, and avoiding costly repairs that can result from neglect.  The Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District  “Septic Tank Pump-Out Rebate Program”  offers a $50 rebate to Loudoun landowners towards the pump-out of their septic system.  A limited number of rebates are available.  The landowner must have an approved application form from the District, and the pump-out must be reported to Loudoun County Health Department by an approved hauler, before the rebate can be issued.

The funds used for this project come from the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program, or “VCAP”. VCAP is a program of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts which allows non-agricultural landowners the chance to receive cost share funds to install conservation practices.  For decades, Loudoun farmers have been able to take advantage of the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost Share Program to help protect soil and water resources, and now with VCAP, suburban, urban, and other residential and business property owners are able to install practices such as rainwater harvesting, conservation landscaping, and a host of other initiatives.

Districts that participate in VCAP, earn $500 in technical assistance money per VCAP practice completed. The funds can be used at the District’s discretion. The Loudoun SWCD Board felt strongly about using these funds to put more money for conservation into the community. At a recent District Board meeting, the Board voted to use these funds to assist in the launch of a local septic tank pump-out project. Loudoun SWCD is appreciative of being able to make those VCAP dollars go even further for conservation on the ground in Loudoun County.

LSWCD is here to help with your Conservation Farm Plan

If you are looking to build a barn, enter into open space or agricultural land use taxation, or just want to get some ideas managing your farm, LSWCD has a new revised Conservation Farm Plan which is now more tailored to specific different types of farming operations in Loudoun.  Farm plans are required by Loudoun County for the building of barns, entering the Land-Use Tax Program,  as well as for grazing livestock on parcels under five acres.  Small acreage grazing plans are developed by the District and Loudoun Cooperative Extension to help landowners manage livestock on small properties.  Contact LSWCD at (571) 918-4530 to schedule an appointment to create a farm plan for your operation.