The funding, made possible through The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) 2021 Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants Program (INSR), will allow for the expansion of the Alliance’s Agricultural Program into Virginia. In partnership with Maryland Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association (MDVA), Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (VA DCR), and Virginia’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VA SWCDs) the Alliance will assist farmers with the development of conservation plans that prioritize installing agricultural best management practices such as: livestock exclusion from streams, riparian forest buffers, rooftop runoff controls, manure management, and nutrient management plans.

In addition to the funding awarded by NFWF, our project partners are also investing in this work to ensure success. VA DCR has committed $1 million in match funding through the VA Agricultural Cost-Share Program and MDVA has committed an additional $75,000 for marketing and outreach expenses.

“The Alliance is so excited to do this work with our partners in VA. In the years of research leading to this project, I kept hearing one thing, repeatedly. ‘No one in VA is working to engage the corporate community to help make the dairy supply chain more sustainable.’ Yet, this is critical to improving water quality and ensuring a better future for our families.”

– Nissa Dean, Virginia State Director, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

Agriculture is an essential segment of Virginia’s economy and the strain on local farmers to reduce their impact on the environment is undeniable. The Alliance’s work in Virginia will enable farmers to accomplish these goals while improving local water quality and ensuring the long-term sustainability of farms.

This project aims to restore water quality in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay watershed by reducing:

  • 18,554.95 lbs of nitrogen

  • 4,625.12 lbs of phosphorus

  • 1,714.08 tons of sediment pollution

For more details about this exciting announcement please click here to view the full press release or contact Adam Miller amiller@allianceforthebay.org