Agricultural BMP Cost-Share Program

The Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District offers technical assistance, as well as financial assistance and state tax credit for a variety of best management practices through the Virginia Agricultural Cost Share (VACS) Program . The VACS program offers more than 80 conservation practices. The Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) frequently partner to assist producers with their conservation efforts.

If you are interested in learning more about the Virginia Agricultural Cost Share Program or about best management practices that are eligible for cost share or tax credit contact us at (540) 534-3105. Click on the link for a printable version of the information below.

Outlined below are a few of the common practices in the Shenandoah Valley.

Stream Fencing and Alternative Watering Systems

Fencing livestock out of streams improves stream health by minimizing streambank erosion and eliminating direct deposition of livestock waste. Providing centralized water and utilizing cross fence allows producers to maximize grazing of available forages. Click on the link for a printable version of the Stream Exclusion Information Sheet.

Eligible Components

Exclusion and cross fence
Watering trough(s) and pipeline
Well and pump components
Stream crossing
Other components deemed eligible

Cost Share and/or Tax Credit Rates

Cost Share: 55%-100% of total estimated project costs based on the setback and lifespan
Buffer Payment: $80 per acre on projects with > 35 ft of 50 ft setbacks per year of Lifespan
Tax Credit: 25% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses

Stream Exclusion Continuing Conservation Initiative

Offers an incentive payment to maintain fences that exclude livestock from water bodies. Voluntarily installed fencing or fencing that was installed through a conservation program and is out of lifespan is eligible. Fencing currently in lifespan with any state, federal or other conservation program is not eligible. Click on the link for a printable version of the Stream Exclusion Continuing Conservation Initiative Flyer.

Permanent exclusion fence adjacent to pastureland

Cost Share Incentive Rates

$0.50-$1.25 per linear foot of stream bank protected
$50 per acre of herbaceous buffer with at least 35 ft. setback
$200 per acre of forested buffer with at least 35 ft. setback
$500 per stream crossing/controlled hardened access
$250 per permanent trough
$1,000 per watering system
This practice is not eligible to receive tax credit

Animal Waste Storage Facilities

Animal waste storage facilities are planned systems, designed to manage liquid and/or solid waste from areas where livestock and poultry are concentrated. These facilities allow wastes to be stored and spread at the proper time, rate and location reducing pollution and helping control surface runoff to improve water quality. Click on the link for a printable version of the Animal Waste Storage Facilities Flyer.

Litter Storage Shed and/or Composting Facility

These facilities are designed for poultry producers who need litter storage and/or composting facilities to meet the needs of their operation.

Liquid Manure Pit

These facilities are designed for producers who need liquid storage for manure generated on their operation.

Dry Stack Manure Storage Facility

These facilities are designed for producers who need dry manure storage as a result of confined feeding on their operation.

Eligible Components of all Animal Waste Storage Facilities

Engineering services
Excavation and construction
Other components deemed eligible

Cost Share and/or Tax Credit Rates

Cost Share: 75% of total estimated project costs
Tax Credit: 25% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses

Loafing Lot Management System

The intent of this practice is to prevent manure, soil and nutrient runoff from denuded lots that are exposed to heavy livestock traffic. This is accomplished by dividing the area into grass lots where cattle are rotated, as necessary, to maintain adequate vegetative cover. A sacrifice area or loose housing facility is installed for use during periods of wet weather to prevent damage to the loafing lots.

Eligible Components

Fencing, walkways and watering systems
Lot establishment and seeding
Loose housing facility
Other components deemed eligible

Cost Share and/or Tax Credit Rates

Cost Share: 75% of total estimated project costs
Tax Credit: 25% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses

Animal Waste Continuing Conservation Initiative

Offers an incentive payment to maintain existing animal waste storage structures. Voluntarily installed structures or structures that were installed through a conservation program and is out of lifespan is eligible. Structures currently in lifespan with any state, federal or other conservation program is not eligible. Click on the link for a printable version of the Animal Waste Continuing Conservation Initiative Flyer..

Cost Share Incentive Rates

$5,000.00 per structure
For poultry operations: $1.50/animal unit – based on annual manure production for current operation’s flock size
For non-poultry operations: $25.00/animal unit – based on current operation’s herd size for manure treated/produced
$250.00/bin or bin equivalent for mortality composting facility

Cropland Conversion to Hay or Pasture

Conversion of cropland to hay or pasture provides year-round ground cover reducing soil erosion. Mixed stands of grasses and/or legumes are recommended. Click on the link for a printable version of the Cropland Conversion to Hay or Pasture Flyer.

Eligible Components

Seed and planting costs
Soil test
Lime and fertilizer
Herbicides and pesticides

Cost Share and/or Tax Credit Rate

Cost Share: 75% of total estimated project costs
Incentive Payment: $25/acre for 5 year lifespan OR $100/acre for 10 year lifespan, or $150/acre for 15 year lifespan
Tax Credit: 25% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses

Winter Cover Crops

Cover crops prevent soil erosion, reduce runoff and take up excess nitrogen that otherwise would leach into groundwater. As biomass from crop residues accumulates, it improves soil structure and tilth, while also improving moisture retention and drought resistance. Click on the link for a printable version of the Cover Crop Flyer.

Eligible Small Grain Species

Rye, Wheat, Barley, Triticale and Mixtures

Cost Share or Tax Credit Rates

Harvestable Small Grain: $20 per acre
Non-Harvestable Small Grain: $40-$90 per acre
Cover Crop for Managing Liquid or Semi-Solid Manure: $25 per acre
Legume Cover Crop: $45 per acre
Tax Credit: 25% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses
Non-Harvestable Small Grain Cover Crop with Fall Manure Application: $15-$45 per acre
Protective Cover for Specialty Crops: $40 per acre

Pre-Sidedress Nitrogen Testing for Corn

By testing the soil when the corn is 8-15 inches in height at the whorl, nitrogen can be applied just ahead of the plant’s peak demand. Test results indicate the available amount of nitrogen and can be used to determine the amount of nitrogen to be side dressed. Click on the link for a printable version of the PSNT Flyer.

Eligible Components

Soil test(s)
Nitrogen application

Cost Share or Tax Credit Rates

Cost Share: $12 per soil test AND up to $6/acre for following nitrogen recommendations
Tax Credit: 25% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses

Manure Injection

Placing manure directly into the soil root zone increases nutrient recovery leading to a reduction in commercial fertilizer costs, reduced crop damage and application costs. Click on the link for a printable version of the Manure Injection Flyer.

Cost Share or Tax Credit Rates

Cost Share: $45/acre reimbursement
Tax Credit: If cost share is not taken, a state tax credit of 25% of out-of-pocket expenses is available
See the equipment in action here

Check out this informative video to learn more Manure Injection and the benefits and challenges.

Tree Planting on Crop or Pasture Land

This practice establishes trees and/or shrubs on land used for crop, hay or pasture to more effectively control erosion, provide wildlife habitat and benefit aquatic environments. Click on the link for a printable version of the Riparian Tree Planting Information Sheet.

Eligible Components

Site preparation, trees/shrubs and planting costs
Other components deemed eligible

Cost Share and/or Tax Credit Rates

Cost Share: 75% of total estimated project costs AND $100-$250/acre incentive payment based on type of trees planted and lifespan
Tax Credit: 25% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses

Critical Area Treatment

The purpose of this practice is to address an area that is void of vegetation and causing erosion. These areas can be caused by livestock or by the channelized flow of water.

Eligible Components

Grading and shaping
Grass seed and stone
Protective fencing
Erosion control structures
Other components deemed eligible

Cost Share and/or Tax Credit Rates

Cost Share: 75% of total estimated project costs
Tax Credit: 25% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses

Roof Runoff Management System

The purpose of this practice is to manage roof runoff by installing gutters on existing agricultural structures in areas where runoff comes into contact with animal waste such as in barnyards and feeding areas.

Eligible Components

Gutters
Downspouts
Drainlines
Other components deemed eligible

Cost Share and/or Tax Credit Rates

Cost Share: 75% of total estimated project costs
Tax Credit: 25% of eligible out-of-pocket expenses

Sinkhole Protection

The purpose of this practice is to improve water quality by removing sources of pollution from sinkholes and providing an adequate buffer to filter sediments and nutrients from surface water that enter the groundwater through sinkholes.