Conservation funds available for farmers, landowners

Published 6:15 pm Friday, August 10, 2018

The Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation District has received its initial cost share program allocations for Program Year 2019 from the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Funds are available for the Agriculture Cost Share Program and the Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program. These funds will assist farmers and landowners with the installation of best management practices that will help to decrease the amount of sediment, nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, chemicals and other pollutants entering into the surface and ground waters of the state. Best management practices through AgWRAP will help to increase water use efficiency, availability and storage in addition to conserving and protecting water resources.

For Program Year 2019, that began on July 1, 2018, farmers, land owners and operators may apply for cost share assistance to install conservation practices such as conservation tillage, precision nutrient management, precision agrichemical application, cover crops, land smoothing, water control structures, agricultural pond restoration/repair/sediment removal, lagoon closures, agricultural water supply ponds, irrigation wells and well closures.

Cost share applications are being taken now for review in September 2018 and January 2019. If you would like more information or would like to apply for the available funds, call the District’s office at 252-946-4989, ext. 3, or come by the office at 155 Airport Road, Washington.