Land Management Practices

Virginia’s Agricultural Cost-Share Program offers more than 70 conservation land management practices that cover the full spectrum of agricultural operations. Whether growing crops, raising livestock or poultry, there are practices that can benefit every farm operation.

Many of these practices increase farm productivity by conserving soil, retaining nutrients and making wise use of resources. They also improve and protect water quality.

Our local Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) have programs available to provide technical and financial assistance for implementation of a variety of practices. Below are a few examples.

Example Land Management Practices & Fact Sheets

A winter field planted in green cover crop under a blue sky with leafless trees in the background.

Cover Crops

A cover crop is grown to protect and improve the soil in rotation with a cash crop, like corn or soybeans. This agronomic practice creates a protective cover for the soil during the fall and winter, reducing soil loss and erosion.

Fact Sheet

A small stream running through a field with a fence on either side and a hardwood tree in the foreground.

Stream Exclusion

Stream exclusion is a practice that fences livestock out of waterways to reduce erosion and minimizing runoff, while providing an alternative water source which can improve herd health and maximize grazing acres.

Fact Sheet

A pasture field with dense and lush green grasses.

Cropland Conversion

This practice converts cropland to pasture or hay production. The long-term vegetated cover on cropland reduces soil loss and erosion and provides nutrient management benefit by helping reduce nutrient loss and leaching.

Fact Sheet

A large empty, three-sided structure with a roof and a floor and open front meant for animal waste storage.

Manure Management

Manure management is the practice of using an animal waste facility to capture, store and manage waste from livestock or poultry operations. These facilities allow waste to be stored and spread at the proper time, rate and location.

Fact Sheet

A very small stream bordered by freshly planted trees in plastic sheaths.

Stream-side Tree Planting

Stream-side tree planting creates a woodland buffer filter area that protects local waterways from erosion, sedimentation, and agricultural runoff and also provides a forested area for wildlife and shade for aquatic habitat.

Fact Sheet

Technical Assistance and Funding

For more information about conservation practices, available funding, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts, check out this 2-page info sheet.

If you are interested in implementing one of these or other conservation practices on your farm, contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District to learn more about the application process: