The Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offers a variety of opportunities for farmers, rural landowners, teachers, students and other citizens of the county to protect Prince William soil and water resources. From technical and financial assistance with the installation of agricultural conservation practices on the farm to youth education and citizen stream protection programs, the District is a local leader in soil and water conservation.

The Prince William SWCD was founded in 1971, when it split from the tri-county Northern Virginia SWCD, which included Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties. It is one of 46 districts in Virginia and nearly 3000 in the U.S. Soil and water conservation districts arose in response to the 1930s Dust Bowl era as part of a nationwide effort to save our soil and water resources through improved farming practices. Districts were set up as close partners to the also newly-created USDA Soil Conservation Service--now the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)-- to offer a combination of local solutions and technical expertise. The effectiveness of this partnership has led farmers across the nation to adopt sound agricultural methods that, since the Dust Bowl days, have made farming more sustainable and productive, while vastly improving our soil and water resources. Today the work of districts often includes urban stormwater management, youth education and other duties, but remains centered around good land stewardship.

Agricultural landowners work with the Prince William SWCD to develop sound Soil and Water Quality Conservation Plans for their properties. Through this process, we help you identify soil and water conservation problems on your property and work with you to plan and implement solutions. Common solutions on pastures and cropland include rotational grazing systems, livestock watering systems, hardened sacrifice areas, grassed waterways and small grain winter cover crops. Many horse owners also request assistance in dealing with their manure stockpiles. These plans include sections on the proper use of fertilizer and manure, methods of soil loss reduction, and the proper management of weeds, insects and other pests. They are based on soil samples from your property and include aerial photos and a variety of maps to help interpret your conservation needs.

The District administers the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practice (BMP) Cost-Share and Tax Credit Program, a state program through which agricultural landowners can receive 75% cost-share and a 25% state tax credit for the installation of conservation practices that improve water quality. Cost-share funds and tax credits are available to landowners involved in agricultural operations, whether they be traditional crops and livestock or other enterprises, such as horse and produce farms. Low-interest loans (3%) are available for agricultural landowners installing conservation practices with or without cost-share. The District holds farmer seminars and field days and an annual tour of local horse farms that have installed conservation practices. This year’s tour is June 8.

Good land stewardship should start at a young age. The District targets local youths with a variety of programs that are announced in District and Teachers’ newsletters. Early spring is a time for planting. The District organizes Arbor Day celebrations, including tree plantings, throughout the month of April for towns, magisterial districts and the county. May is Wetlands Month and prime time to learn about this ecosystem. Warmer months are good for getting outside. In spring or early fall, the District organizes trips to a local dairy or beef cattle farm for grade school students. Once the heat of summer lets up in early October, local fourth graders can attend Farm Field Day at the County Fairgrounds to learn about the agricultural heritage of Prince William County and the continued importance of agriculture to our culture and economy. With school in full swing during fall and winter, Watershed Model demonstrations are available to teachers, students and other interested groups. The model helps to define a watershed and show the basics of the movement, pollution and protection of water.

Educational programs are not limited to schoolchildren. Throughout the year, any interested individual or group can participate in the Adopt-A-Stream program to keep a section of a county stream clean, or get involved in stream monitoring for water quality.

Call the District at 594-3621 for questions about our programs.