Last updated April 2026
← All States

Virginia Farm Programs: Chesapeake Bay, Poultry Litter & Streambank Fencing

Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error

Quick Facts
Farms & Ranches ~43,200 (2022 USDA Census)
Top Commodities Poultry, cattle & calves, dairy, soybeans, corn, tobacco, hay, timber
Total Ag Land ~8.0 million acres
Average Farm Size ~185 acres
EQIP FY2026 Application Deadline Varies by area, contact your local NRCS office for current batching dates
CSP FY2026 Application Deadline Varies by area, contact your local NRCS office for current batching dates
State NRCS Office (804) 287-1638 · Richmond, VA

Federal Programs in Virginia

Federal programs like EQIP, CSP, and FSA loans are available nationwide, but how they work in practice varies by state. Each state sets its own EQIP priorities, ranking criteria, and application deadlines. Below is how the federal programs apply specifically in Virginia. For full details on any program, read the federal program guides.

EQIP in Virginia

Virginia EQIP Priorities:

  • Water quality (Chesapeake Bay watershed, dominant priority)
  • Grazing management
  • Soil health on cropland
  • Livestock water development
  • Nutrient management
  • Wildlife habitat

Livestock-Specific Practices Commonly Funded:

  • Cross-fencing for rotational grazing
  • Livestock water development (stream exclusion)
  • Prescribed grazing systems
  • Heavy use area protection
  • Riparian buffers and stream fencing
  • Nutrient management
  • Waste management

EQIP in Virginia: What to Ask About: Virginia is a major focus of the Chesapeake Bay watershed initiative, which provides dedicated EQIP funding for reducing nutrient and sediment runoff. NRCS identifies stream exclusion fencing, riparian buffers, and nutrient management as top priorities. Virginia also offers state cost-share programs for Bay-related practices that may be combined with EQIP. Ask your local office about Bay initiative funding and other available EQIP initiatives in your area.

Virginia EQIP payment schedules: Available on the Virginia NRCS website.

→ Read the full EQIP guide

CSP in Virginia

CSP rewards producers for conservation practices already in place and pays for new enhancements. Well-managed operations with rotational grazing, maintained fencing, and conservation practices are strong candidates.

→ Read the full CSP guide

FSA Programs in Virginia

Current Disaster Designations: Check farmers.gov/protection-recovery for current drought and disaster designations in Virginia.

Key FSA Programs:

  • Direct and Guaranteed Farm Ownership and Operating Loans
  • Microloans (up to $50,000, simplified application)
  • Emergency Farm Loans (for designated disaster areas)
  • Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). Hurricane, flooding, and severe storm losses
  • ELAP: covers drought-related grazing losses and emergency costs
  • Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), triggered by drought monitor conditions

Virginia FSA State Office: (804) 287-1503

Virginia-Specific Programs

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

Virginia Agricultural BMP Cost-Share Program: State-funded cost-share for BMPs that improve water quality. This is one of the most generous state cost-share programs in the country and stacks with EQIP. Covers stream exclusion fencing, cover crops, nutrient management, and more.

Website: dcr.virginia.gov

Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Virginia has 47 SWCDs that administer the state BMP cost-share program. Your local SWCD is the entry point for state funding.

Virginia Tax Provisions for Ag

  • Land Use Assessment: Agricultural land can be assessed at use value rather than market value, critical in Virginia where development pressure is intense near DC, Richmond, and Hampton Roads.
  • State Income Tax: Top rate 5.75%. Farm income is subject to state tax.
  • Sales Tax Exemptions: Farm equipment, livestock, feed, seed, and agricultural inputs are exempt from Virginia sales tax.
  • Agricultural Best Management Practices Tax Credit: Virginia offers a state tax credit for implementing certain agricultural BMPs.

RCPP in Virginia

The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funds conservation projects through partnerships between NRCS and local organizations. RCPP projects vary by state and year — check with your local NRCS office or visit the RCPP page for current projects in your area.

ACEP in Virginia

The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners protect farmland and wetlands through conservation easements. Two components: Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) protect working farmland, and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) restore and protect wetlands. Contact your local NRCS office for current enrollment.

Resources

USDA Offices

State Resources

Key Deadlines (FY2026)

Dates are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm with your local NRCS/FSA office.

Program Typical Deadline Window Notes
EQIP Primary Batching Nov–Feb (varies by area) Check with local NRCS for exact date
CSP Ranking Varies Check state ranking dates page
CRP General Sign-up When announced by FSA Not always open every year
LFP (Livestock Forage) Triggered by D2+ Drought Monitor designation Monitor drought conditions
LIP (Livestock Indemnity) 30 days after loss to file notice Don't miss this window
ELAP 30 days after loss to file notice Don't miss this window

Your Next Steps in Virginia

  1. Run our eligibility screener to see your personalized program list: Take the eligibility screener
  2. Find your local USDA Service Center: farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator
  3. Read the federal program guides for programs you're interested in: EQIP · CSP · Beginning Farmer · Disaster Assistance
  4. Chesapeake Bay water quality drives massive EQIP and state cost-share funding, stream exclusion fencing is consistently the #1 funded practice
  5. Virginia's state BMP cost-share stacks with EQIP and is one of the most generous in the country, apply for both

Tools for Virginia Ranchers

Run the numbers before your next USDA visit. Each tool takes 2–3 minutes.

EQIP Cost Estimator → PRF Rainfall Analysis → Drought Dashboard → Deadline Calendar → Emergency Triage → Program Screener →

County Guides (95 counties)

Each county guide includes local USDA office information, relevant programs, and conservation priorities specific to that area.

Accomackcorn, soybeans, wheat · 254 farms Albemarlecattle, flowering plants, potted, equine · 866 farms Alleghanycattle, sheep, goats · 165 farms Ameliamilk, soybeans, cattle · 251 farms Amherstcattle, corn, equine · 385 farms Appomattoxcattle, corn, soybeans · 345 farms Arlingtonhoney · 3 farms Augustacattle, milk, corn · 1,460 farms Bathcattle, corn, soybeans · 88 farms Bedfordcattle, corn, equine · 1,183 farms Blandcattle, corn, equine · 324 farms Botetourtcattle, corn, milk · 529 farms Brunswicktobacco, soybeans, wheat · 206 farms Buchanancattle, sheep, equine · 88 farms Buckinghamhogs, cattle, soybeans · 375 farms Campbellcattle, milk, soybeans · 642 farms Carolinecorn, soybeans, wheat · 214 farms Carrollcattle, corn, equine · 757 farms Charles Citycorn, soybeans, sheep · 84 farms Charlottesoybeans, cattle, tobacco · 393 farms Chesterfieldequine, soybeans, corn · 162 farms Clarkecattle, equine, equine · 421 farms Craigcattle, sheep, hogs · 186 farms Culpepercattle, corn, soybeans · 609 farms Cumberlandcattle, soybeans, corn · 232 farms Dickensoncattle, sheep, equine · 108 farms Dinwiddiesoybeans, corn, tobacco · 350 farms Essexcorn, soybeans, wheat · 99 farms Fairfaxequine, equine, flowering plants, potted · 77 farms Fauquiercattle, soybeans, milk · 1,040 farms Floydcattle, milk, cut christmas trees · 668 farms Fluvannacattle, soybeans, corn · 289 farms Franklinmilk, cattle, corn · 886 farms Frederickcattle, corn, soybeans · 674 farms Gilescattle, corn, cut christmas trees · 356 farms Gloucestercorn, soybeans, wheat · 135 farms Goochlandmilk, corn, soybeans · 268 farms Graysoncattle, cut christmas trees, cut christmas trees & short term woody trees · 616 farms Greenecattle, soybeans, corn · 187 farms Greensvillecotton, soybeans, corn · 94 farms Halifaxhogs, soybeans, cattle · 759 farms Hanovercorn, soybeans, wheat · 512 farms Henricosoybeans, honey, cattle · 84 farms Henrytobacco, wheat, hogs · 258 farms Highlandcattle, sheep, maple syrup · 258 farms Isle of Wightcotton, hogs, corn · 212 farms James Citymilk, alpacas, cut flowers & cut cultivated greens · 79 farms King Georgesoybeans, corn, wheat · 169 farms King Williamcorn, soybeans, wheat · 122 farms King and Queencorn, soybeans, cattle · 110 farms Lancastercorn, soybeans, wheat · 54 farms Leecattle, sheep, equine · 629 farms Loudouncattle, corn, equine · 1,332 farms Louisasoybeans, cattle, corn · 452 farms Lunenburgtobacco, soybeans, cattle · 299 farms Madisoncattle, corn, soybeans · 447 farms Mathewssheep, wool · 65 farms Mecklenburgtobacco, soybeans, cattle · 394 farms Middlesexcorn, soybeans, cattle · 70 farms Montgomerycattle, milk, corn · 523 farms Nelsoncattle, corn, soybeans · 399 farms New Kentcorn, soybeans, wheat · 112 farms Northamptoncorn, soybeans, foliage plants · 151 farms Northumberlandcorn, soybeans, wheat · 111 farms Nottowaysoybeans, corn, goats · 303 farms Orangecorn, soybeans, cattle · 430 farms Pagecattle, corn, soybeans · 492 farms Patrickcattle, milk, corn · 452 farms Pittsylvaniamilk, cattle, tobacco · 1,053 farms Powhatancorn, cattle, soybeans · 260 farms Prince Edwardcattle, tobacco, soybeans · 323 farms Prince Georgecorn, soybeans, cattle · 123 farms Prince Williamsoybeans, cattle, equine · 316 farms Pulaskicattle, milk, corn · 390 farms Rappahannockcattle, equine, corn · 399 farms Richmondcorn, soybeans, wheat · 109 farms Roanokecattle, honey, goats · 254 farms Rockbridgecattle, milk, corn · 640 farms Rockinghammilk, cattle, corn · 1,722 farms Russellcattle, corn, equine · 808 farms Scottcattle, corn, milk · 1,070 farms Shenandoahcattle, corn, milk · 859 farms Smythcattle, corn, milk · 568 farms Southamptoncotton, hogs, corn · 278 farms Spotsylvaniacattle, soybeans, corn · 281 farms Staffordcorn, cattle, honey · 231 farms Surrycorn, soybeans, wheat · 113 farms Sussexcotton, soybeans, corn · 106 farms Tazewellcattle, milk, corn · 500 farms Warrencattle, wheat, corn · 316 farms Washingtoncattle, milk, sheep · 1,358 farms Westmorelandcorn, soybeans, wheat · 141 farms Wisecattle, goats, goats · 120 farms Wythecattle, milk, corn · 712 farms Yorkhoney · 58 farms

Built by ranchers who've been through it. Every guide on this site is free.

By Doug McCarty · Spencer Shadow Ranch, Oregon · Last updated 2026-04