Sources of Conservation Funding (free workshop and social)

Join John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fauquier County’s Conservation Easement Program, and The Piedmont Environmental Council for a workshop to explore tools and sources of funding for conservation easements and land management.

The event is informal and designed for neighbors to learn from each other’s experiences and engage with the presenters. Landowners will share their experience working with the various programs to protect their farms with a conservation easement – and the finances involved in the transaction – and implementation of agricultural cost-share practices to improve soil health and water quality. Participants will have ample time to engage with organizations and leave with potential next steps for their properties.

The event is free and open to the public. While this event is in Fauquier County, much of the information is relevant to other geographies and all are welcome to attend. Pre-registration is requested but not required.

Heavy appetizers and nonalcoholic beverages will be provided. Attendees are welcome to purchase other beverages from our hosts Powers Farm & Brewery, and a food truck will be present! They’ll be open until 8 p.m.

Agenda

• 6 p.m.: Check-in
• 6:15 – 7:30 p.m.: Presentations

Co-presenters

John Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District – Agricultural cost-share programs to improve soil health and water quality, including livestock exclusion fencing, alternative watering systems, riparian buffer plantings, nutrient management projects, and more.

Soil & Water Conservation Districts provide technical assistance and financial incentives to assist with the installation of approved conservation practices. Cost-share can range from 75% up to 100% of allowable costs for some practices.

Natural Resources Conservation Service – Agricultural, wildlife, and pollinator conservation programs that help people help the land by providing assistance to develop a farm plan, technical assistance in design and installation of conservation practices, and financial assistance to turn the plan into action.

The Piedmont Environmental Council – Introduction to conservation easements. A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a conservation organization designed to protect the scenic open space, wildlife habitat and/or forest and agricultural resources on private property. A donation of a conservation easement may provide for federal income tax deduction, Virginia state income tax credit, estate tax reduction, and reduced real estate taxes.

PEC will highlight our Planting for the Piedmont Program, which provides free trees and shrubs along riparian areas (waterways including rivers, streams, and wetlands), technical assistance, and labor for improved water quality.

Fauquier County Department of Agricultural Development – Fauquier County’s Purchase of Development Rights Program is a voluntary program that pays landowners to protect the farmland and natural resource assets of their property. This program allows landowners to enter into agreements to sell the development potential of qualifying property to the County while maintaining the right to continue to own and use the property. The purpose of the PDR Program is to protect farmland and retain the agricultural industry’s critical mass, in particular, farm parcels that are economically viable operations.

Landowner testimonials, question & answer session, socialize with neighbors and presenters.

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This event is made possible by the generous co-presenters and The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Julian W. Scheer Fauquier Land Conservation Fund.

PEC’s Julian W. Scheer Fauquier Land Conservation Fund was established in 2003 to protect land with important natural, historic, scenic and agricultural resources in Fauquier County. The Fund provides direct funding for environmental stewardship on working farmland, technical support for easement donations, and educational workshops on conservation and management options. Learn more about the Julian W. Scheer Fauquier Land Conservation Fund and donate here.

For questions about this event, please reach out to Maggi Blomstrom, mblomstrom@pecva.org, 540-347-2334 ext. 7067.

Photo credits: Cattle using stream crossing courtesy John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District; Tractor by Bruce Jones; Fauquier farmland aerial by Will Parsons, Chesapeake Bay Program.