1. Thomas Jefferson
Soil and Water Conservation District
Emily Nelson, Conservation Program Manager
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Kory Kirkland, District Conservationist

2. What is a Conservation
District/NRCS?
• Formed in 1930s to create local influence (local
people, local decisions, local programs).

3. Five Program Areas
Focus: Water Quality Protection
Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water
Conservation District (TJSWCD)
Photo courtesy of NRCS

4. Education

5. How are TJSWCD Easements different than others?
• Water quality
• Small acreages
acceptable
• The TJSWCD fills
the void
Easements

6. Erosion & Sediment Control
• Provide site plan review for: UVA, Nelson County and
Louisa County, including shoreline protection at Lake Anna
• Inspections & Plan Review for the Town of Scottsville
• Four certified Combined Administrators on staff

7. Stormwater Management
Urban BMPs (Virginia Conservation Assistance Program)
Photo: Nick Lapham, Sunnyside Farm, Rappahannock, VA

8. Turf to Natives

9. Turf to Natives

10. Stormwater basin meadow

11. Rain Water
Harvesting

12. Rain Garden
Sand --- Soil --- Mulch--- Plants
Native plant species that are tolerant of
both wet and dry conditions

13. Edsel Road Townhomes, Alexandria

14. Sommerset Development, PG County, Maryland

16. Residential Practices
•Urban BMPs
•Replace/Repair Failing Septic Systems

17. Agricultural Programs
Improve & protect water quality, conserve soil, and
promote wise use of all farm resources through
voluntary programs
Photo courtesy of NRCS

18. Agricultural Programs
Technical Assistance:
•
•Farm conservation
planning
•Conservation designs
•Agricultural
Stewardship Act 1996

19. Stream Crossings &
Restricted Water Access

20. Grazing Land Management
From this …
To this …
Appropriate stocking rates
20 acres can hold:
• 8 horses
• 10 cows
•50 sheep or goats

21. Nutrient
Management Plans
Photos courtesy of NRCS
Cover Crops (nutrient
uptake, erosion control)
Nutrient Management

22. Filter Strips and Forest Buffers
Along Streams
Cropland
Pastureland
Photo courtesy of NRCS

23. Livestock watering systems and
stream fencing
From this …
To this …
&

24. State Agricultural Programs
Incentive Funding:
-Up to100%
Cost-Share
-25% Tax
Credit
(Refundable)

25. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
»All funding provided by Farm Bill
»Engaged in Agriculture or Forestry
»Range of cost-share from 50-100%

26. NRCS Conservation Programs
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program
(CREP)
– Goal of program to establish riparian buffers
– Land must be grazed or cropped (hay counts!)
– Fencing, Alternative Watering System, Buffer Planting
– Cost-share & Rental on buffer reimburses landowner 100%.
Photo courtesy of NRCS

27. Environmental Quality Incentives
Program (EQIP) •Projects prioritized and ranked against other
applications
•Points given for more comprehensive full
farm conservation work
•Target resource concerns related to:
•Cropland
•Animal Waste
•Forestry
•Grazing
•Wildlife
•Cost-share rates ranging from 50-90 %
Photo courtesy of NRCS
NRCS Conservation Programs

28. Wildlife Habitat Development/Maintenance (EQIP)
– Targeted at creating/maintaining wildlife habitat
» Early Successional
» Riparian Corridors
» Pollinator Habitat
– Technical advice
provided by Private Land
Game Biologist
Photo courtesy of NRCS
NRCS Conservation Programs

29. Easements
•Wetland Reserve Easements
•Creation/Restoration/Protection
Permanent or 30-Year Easement
• Agricultural Land Easements
•Protects working agricultural land
•Provides up to 50% fair market value
•Partners with Land Easement Holding
Organizations
Photo courtesy of NRCS
NRCS Conservation Programs

30. TJSWCD & NRCS
emily.nelson@tjswcd.org
(434) 975-0224
kory.kirkland@va.usda.gov
(540) 967-0233