Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
The Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program (VACS) has been allocated $223 million in cost-share funding for FY 2026, the highest level of investment in the program’s history.
The funding is a $16 million increase over FY 2025 and marks the fourth straight year of record funding.
The VACS program provides Virginia’s farmers with financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices that protect water quality, improve soil health and support the long-term sustainability of agricultural operations across the commonwealth.
Administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) in partnership with Virginia’s 47 Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), the VACS program helps farmers offset the cost of implementing a wide range of best management practices, including:
Farmers can receive up to $300,000 in state cost-share reimbursement for over 60 best management practices.
Virginia’s SWCDs work directly with farmers to distribute cost-share funding from the VACS program and provide technical assistance for its implementation.
Farmers interested in applying for funding should contact their local SWCDs. A map of local conservation districts and contact information can be found here.
The 2026 fiscal year begins July 1, 2025.
