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WINTON – The Hertford Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is expecting to receive its allocation from the NC Agricultural Cost Share Program and the Agricultural Water Resource Assistance Program (AgWRAP) in August.

Cost share programs assist landowners and/or farmers with cost share funds and technical assistance to implement conservation practices on their land. These programs are administered by the Hertford SWCD. These conservation practices help reduce the amount of sediment, nitrogen, phosphorous, and other agricultural runoff that enter the surface and ground water of the Chowan River Basin.

In addition to these traditional practices, the District plans to use the AgWRAP program to reach landowners and operators who may have water quantity concerns.

The 2024 program year runs from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Farmers and/or landowners of existing agricultural operations may apply for cost share assistance to implement conservation Best Management Practices year-round beginning July 1, 2023. These practices include Cover Crop, Nutrient Management, Abandoned Well Closures, Conservation Tillage, and many others.

All applications received before August 28, 2023 will be ranked in the first batching period for 2024 funds. All applications received after will be ranked if a later allocation is received.

If you would like more information or wish to apply for cost share assistance, call 252-358-7846. You can also visit the Hertford SWCD office located in the USDA Service Center at 305 West Tryon Street in Winton.

Under the NC Agricultural Cost Share Program, no one is to be denied benefits of the program because of race, color, gender, national origin, disability, religion, or age. The only lawful criteria for determining eligibility for funds are the improvement of water quality from agricultural lands.