Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District has announced it is offering financial incentives of $40/acre or more for planting small grain cover crops this fall as part of the Virginia Agricultural Cost Share Program. “We know that more farmers are planting cover crops than are signing up for the program,” said Daniel Naff, conservation specialist for Mountain Castles. “We want to pay farmers for what they are already doing.”
The cover crop must be planted by Oct. 20 to qualify for payment. Crops can be intended for harvest or not. Additional incentives are available for early planting, planting rye cultivars, and a late kill down date. Applications need to be approved during the September and October board meetings, so farmers should apply for the program in August. “More and more farms are seeing the financial benefit of the additional incentives, so it makes sense to give us a call to discuss what’s best for your individual situation,” said Naff.
Cover crops increase soil moisture retention and drought resistance, reduce soil erosion, and improve soil quality. Reduced soil erosion leads to less sediment in local streams and rivers. “It really is a win-win for everyone,” said Naff. For more information, contact Daniel Naff at daniel.naff@mountaincastles.org or (540) 580-8373.
