Eastern Shore Conservation District Annual Report
ACCOMAC, Va. — The Eastern Shore Soil & Water Conservation District distributed over $4.6 million in cost-share assistance to local landowners and producers in the fiscal year 2024, according to its annual report. The funds, provided through Virginia’s Agricultural Best Management Practice (BMP) Cost-Share Program, were aimed at improving water quality in the region’s rivers, streams, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The district, a local subdivision of the Commonwealth, has partnered with state and federal agencies, local governments, and citizen groups to encourage the voluntary installation of BMPs. These practices include cover crops, nutrient management, and conservation tillage to reduce runoff and enhance soil health on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Among the key initiatives was the Whole Farm Approach, focusing on both cover crops and nutrient management across thousands of acres in Accomack and Northampton counties. The program helps farmers by covering part of the costs to implement sustainable practices on their fields, contributing to the preservation of the local environment and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The report highlights the district’s role not only in providing financial incentives but also in promoting environmental education. More than 6,500 participants attended various classroom and outdoor programs in FY24, ranging from soil conservation to plastic pollution awareness. Additionally, the district awarded scholarships to local students pursuing careers in agriculture and environmental science.
In addition to its agricultural work, the district is co-holding conservation easements across nearly 5,000 acres of land in collaboration with the Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust and the Virginia Outdoor Foundation. These easements aim to preserve open spaces and support wildlife by preventing land fragmentation.
As environmental challenges continue to evolve, the district remains committed to fostering conservation efforts on the Eastern Shore, with sign-ups already underway for the FY25 Virginia Conservation Assistance Program.
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