Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
results in following insights.
Profitable farms create healthier watersheds. In this interview, Bob Waring of Brandon Farms and Virginia Tech Agronomist Dr. Hunter Frame discuss water management challenges on Brandon Farms, maximizing per acre profit, nutrient use efficiency, regenerative agriculture, best management practices and cost-share programs that benefit Virginia’s farms. READ MORE
Virginia’s rivers, streams and the Chesapeake Bay are some of the Commonwealth’s most treasured natural resources. Keeping them clean and healthy is imperative for not only the environment, but Virginia’s economy and farmers. That’s where the Water Quality Improvement Fund comes in. READ MORE
The Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) is committed to supporting commercial vegetable and agronomic crop production by conducting state-of-the art research into cover crops, fertilizers, soil tillage and soil management. READ MORE
Recognizing farmers' contributions to protecting Virginia's waterways this National Water Quality Month. READ MORE
When Bruce and Katherine Johnson purchased Dragonfly Farms just west of Louisa, they confronted severely eroded soils and degraded conditions after years of corn and soybean row-cropping, motivating them to stabilize the soil, create a productive farming system, and transform the property into a model for regenerative practices. READ MORE
Vanessa Sandin is a role model for new farmers aiming to minimize their impact on the Chesapeake Bay. READ MORE
For the fourth year in a row, record-breaking cost-share assistance is available for farmers through the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program (VACS). READ MORE
Tim Alderson and his family strive to implement conservation practices on their 210-acre cattle farm in Pittsylvania County by improving surrounding water quality, an effort made possible through the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share (VACS) Program. READ MORE
Massie and Sons Farm's unique use of agricultural best management practices exemplify stewardship of the York River Basin and earned them a Grand Basin Clean Water Farm award in 2023. READ MORE
If you were a farmer impacted by damage from Hurricane Helene, you may be eligible for financial relief through your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). READ MORE
