The Beaufort Soil and Water Conservation District has received its initial cost-share program allocations for 2018 from the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. Funds are available for the Agriculture Cost Share Program and the Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program.

These funds will assist farmers and landowners with the installation of best management practices that will help to decrease the amount of sediment, nutrients, nitrogen, phosphorus, chemicals and other pollutants entering into the surface and ground waters of the state. Best management practices through AgWRAP will help to increase water use efficiency, availability and storage in addition to conserving and protecting water resources.

For program year 2018, which began July 1, farmers, landowners and operators may apply for cost share assistance to install conservation practices such as conservation tillage, precision nutrient management, precision agrichemical application, cover crops, land smoothing, water control structures, agricultural pond restoration/repair/sediment removal, lagoon closures, water supply wells and irrigation systems.

Cost share applications are being taken now for review in September and January 2018. If you would like more information or would like to apply for the available funds, call the district’s office at 252-946-4989 (ext. 3) or come by our office at 155 Airport Road, Washington. The District’s conservation specialist is available to assist you and can visit your farm to discuss solutions for protecting creeks, streams, lakes and rivers in the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse river basins.