Virginia’s pilot will be led by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and implemented by the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District and Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District (“Supporting Partners”). Virginia Cooperative Extension and Virginia State University’s Small Farm Outreach Program will assist the supporting partners with recruitment.

Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District, including Louisa County, Fluvanna County, Nelson County, Albemarle County, and the City of Charlottesville.

Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District, including Charles City County, James City County, New Kent County, York County and the City of Williamsburg.

For this project, Colonial has an expanded district with additional eligible counties including Caroline County, Chesterfield County, Essex County, Gloucester County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Isle of Wight County, King & Queen County, King William County, Mathews County, Middlesex County, Prince George County, Surry County, and the City of Suffolk.

The Alliance is open to agricultural producers within the participating counties listed above.

Producers may apply with up to two FSA numbers per designated operator.  Payments will go to the FSA-designated operator, or be divided between the primary operator and up to (1) co-applicant per FSA number.

Eligible producers will:

— Enroll a minimum of (2) acres at an operation located within one of the approved participating districts (there is no minimum enrollment for animal units);

— Have a verified Farm Service Agency (FSA) number (or be willing to obtain one prior to enrolling in the program);

— Confirm that the land enrolled and the practice(s) requested will not also be enrolled in a USDA conservation program or other program associated with the USDA’s Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities sponsored grant program;

— Confirm that the land enrolled and the practice(s) requested will not be dually enrolled in a cost-share program;

— Confirm that the producer will have control of the land for the term of the producer agreement, and

— Quantify and self-report total greenhouse gas benefits through the use of COMET-Planner

Applications will be at www.allianceforcsa.org during the open enrollment period. Hard copies will be available at district offices.

Qualifying practices have been selected from the USDA-NRCS list of conservation practices. All practices will meet approved NRCS standards.  For a complete list including practice enhancements, please use the Approved Practices and Enhancements Guide.

Please note that the below practices are grouped based on the payment producers will receive for implementing the practice.  Those listed under Acres will be paid per acre, those listed under Livestock will be paid per animal unit.

This project will pay producers $100 per acre or animal unit per year.  Only one practice can be applied per acre or animal unit. Producers will be able to install as many practices as they choose, as long as each practice occurs on different acres or animal units across the farm.

Producers will receive 50% of the payment upfront, 25% after implementation and verification, and 25% after final reporting. Underserved producers may be eligible for a 100% upfront payment. All payments will be issued by Virginia Tech.