Agriculture is Virginia’s largest industry by many metrics. It also represents the largest source of nutrient and sediment pollution reaching Virginia’s local streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. Fortunately, addressing these pollution loads offers an opportunity to improve the Commonwealth’s natural resources while also enhancing working farms and forests.
Agricultural BMPs
Sources of Conservation Funding Workshop Resources
If you were unable to attend our recent Sources of Conservation Funding Workshop and Social at Powers Farm & Brewery in Midland, VA, PEC and our fantastic conservation partners are here to help you explore your conservation options.
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
Farming for the Future
Planted, literally and not accidentally, at the edge of rural and suburban Loudoun County, PEC’s Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows plays many important roles.
2023 General Assembly Crossover Update
This Tuesday marked the halfway point of Virginia’s 2023 General Assembly Session, a date known as ‘crossover.’ The House and Senate have each finished voting on the bills their members put forward, and now move on to consider legislation passed by the opposite body.
On the Ground Updates – September 2022
A series of short updates from around the PEC region – Albemarle & Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock.
The Land Along Life-Giving Water
This fall, we received two important grants to support and expand our work protecting rivers and streams.
Webinar: Fauquier Farm and Land Conservation
PEC’s Julian Scheer Fauquier Land Conservation Fund and the Fauquier County Agricultural Development Department hosted this webinar for Fauquier County landowners interested in learning how to protect their land with a conservation easement, and also to promote the open application period for Fauquier County’s PDR program, which is currently accepting applications through June 30, 2020.
So Many Bills, So Little Time
It is March, a time when most people eagerly await the end of winter and embrace the first signs of spring. For me, the spring also marks the end of long days and nights spent walking the halls and occupying committee rooms in Richmond. The 2020 Virginia General Assembly session concluded on March 12, and by the time you read this, we will all be awaiting Governor Northam’s response to the legislation and budget passed by both houses.
Fronting the Costs: Fencing at Mountain Hollow Farm
Eight generations of cattle farming had taken its toll on the streams at Dean and Carina Elgin’s Mountain Hollow Farm in northern Fauquier County. Historically, “all the cattle had access to the creek. That was our watering system. And that was the norm in that day,” Dean Elgin said. But by 2015, the Elgins wanted to repair the streambank erosion and reduce the water pollution caused by the foot traffic and waste generated by 200 cattle moving in and out of the water repeatedly. But there was a problem.