The Shenandoah Valley SWCD office/USDA service center is currently closed to the public. It is of the utmost importance that we all do our part to limit the exposure and spread of COVID-19.

Staff are available to serve you and answer questions, please contact the District office at 540-534-3105 to discuss your conservation needs. 

The Shenandoah Valley Soil & Water Conservation District’s Mission is to Promote Stewardship and Conservation of our Natural Resources

The Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District was founded in 1940 and is one of the 47 Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. The Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District serves Rockingham and Page counties as well as the city of Harrisonburg. There are a variety of conservation programs available to farmers, businesses, and landowners.

These conservation programs provide both technical and financial assistance for the installation of best management practices that can have a direct benefit to soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources as well as to you and your production. Funding is provided by local, state, and federal sources. Conservation programs are carried out by district staff and are governed by the Board of Directors. There are monthly board meetings that are open to the public.

Tree Planting Tools for Loan

Want to learn more about the District will be doing over the next few years? Read our Strategic Plan. Also – check out the July 2019-June 2020 Annual Report to get an overview of what the Shenandoah Valley Soil & Water Conservation District did last year!

Congratulations to Anish Aradhey, a local student, for creating a winning poster in the 2019 Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SVSWCD) Poster Contest! Check out this awesome piece of art!

Interesting Articles & Videos:

“Past, Present and Future of Conservation Districts” Video

Watch this short 10 minute video about Conservation Districts and what we do!

“Backyard Environmental Education”

Check out this article.. It’s great for young students who are passionate about learning more about our environment!

Hammond Bennett Documentary

Watch the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) documentary on soil conservation pioneer Hugh Hammond Bennett, the history of our agency and the birth of the private lands conservation movement in the U.S.

Program News:

Rain Barrels

  • The SVSWCD has rain barrels back in stock! Check out the rain barrel page to learn more about purchasing a barrel or two, or stay tuned for info on our rain barrel workshops in the spring!

Pure Water Forum Small Grant Opportunities

  • The SVSWCD is a member of the Pure Water Forum, which has small grants available for innovative stewardship projects, research, and education initiatives dedicated to the restoration and protection of the Shenandoah River and its tributaries. You can find more info and apply here. 

2020 Winter Cover Crop Beds

About our Cover Crop Beds: The SVSWCD has sixteen demonstration beds located in front of our office.  These beds are planted in the Fall and then again in the Spring to allow producers and other constituents that visit our office the opportunity to see various cover crops and other vegetation.  The beds have been planted in various cover crop mixes, peanuts, tomatoes, sunflowers and much more. Sunny Ridge Seed has donated seeds for the past several years and a Pure Water Forum grant provided funds for the initial bed installation. To learn more about cover crops, follow this link.