The Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District’s Mission is to promote stewardship and conservation of our natural resources and to safeguard people and property with the consistent maintenance of our eight District-owned dams.
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 and the City of Harrisonburg. A variety of conservation programs are 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. Our monthly Board meetings are open to the public.
Cover Crop Beds
About our cover crop beds:
Sixteen beds planted in cover crops, vegetables, and flowers line the front of the SVSWCD office. The beds, which are planted in the fall and again in the spring, offer an opportunity for visitors to our office to see many of the plants we recommend they plant on soil that is bare, especially in the fall in preparation for winter. A Pure Water Forum grant funded the installation of the beds, and Sunny Ridge Seed has donated seeds for the past several years.
Programs, Grants and Other Opportunities
- Tree Planting tools for loan: If you are planting trees and need tree-planting tools, complete the reservation form to borrow the tools you need!
- Rain barrels: Our rain barrels are back in stock! Learn more about purchasing a rain barrel or stay tuned for info on upcoming rain barrel workshops!
- 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 educational initiatives dedicated to the restoration and protection of the Shenandoah River and its tributaries. More information and grant application
Historical Information about Conservation Districts
‘Past, Present and Future of Conservation Districts’
The National Association of Conservation Districts presents this 10-minute video about Conservation Districts and what we do!
‘Hugh Hammond Bennett: The Story of America’s Private Lands Conservation Movement’
Watch the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service documentary on soil conservation pioneer Hugh Hammond Bennett, the history of the agency, and the birth of the private lands conservation movement in the United States.
Want to learn more about what the District will be doing over the next few years? Read our Strategic Plan. Also, check out the 2023-2024 Annual Report get an overview of what the Shenandoah Valley Soil & Water Conservation District did last year!