Congratulations to district Conservation Farmers of the Year, Michael and Carolyn Edwards.

Michael and Carolyn Edwards own the 42 acre Four Oaks and Forge Farm in southwest Kanawha County off of Smith Creek Road.  Michael began working with the Capitol Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service in 2013 with the development of a Conservation Plan.  Through that plan, he has taken advantage of several programs through both agencies to improve pastures through grazing management, application of lime and fertilizer, and frost seeding.  He has also installed divisional fences and additional water sources to facilitate rotational grazing.  Michael improved water quality on his farm by installing gutters on his barn to direct water away from feeding areas and excluding livestock from the pond and wetland on his property.

In 2015, their farm was awarded WV Century Farm status through the WV Association of Conservation Districts.  The Edwards’ farm is one third of the 110 acre Alford Farm owned and operated by Carolyn’s family for over 100 years. 

Michael continues to regularly test soil, apply nutrients, and rotational graze patures to maintain a high level of conservation on his farm.  Michael is an excellent steward of the land and has done an excellent job of bringing his property back into a working farm.  For those efforts, we are honoring Michael and Carolyn Edwards’ farm as the 2017 Capitol Conservation District Conservation Farm.

The FY18 Capitol Conservation District Agriculture Enhancement Program

Sign up period ONE is JULY 1, 2017 - JULY 31, 2017. All applications must be received by July 31st at 4:00 pm. Completion deadline is December 31, 2017.

Sign up period TWO will begin JANUARY 1, 2018 - JANUARY 19, 2018. All applications must be received by January 19th at 4:00 pm. Completion Deadline is June 1, 2018

Please find our PDF applications under our DISTRICT FORMS link.

LIME

NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT (FERTILIZER)

PASTURE RESEED

HAY RESEED

FROST SEED

POLLINATOR PLANTING

HEAVY USE PROTECTION

INVASIVE SPECIES

URBAN AGRICULTURE

Questions? Please contact Aimee Figgatt, District Manager

afiggatt@wvca.us - 304.759.0736 office - 304.380.6336 cell

The Agricultural Enhancement Program (AgEp) supports West Virginia’s agriculture community through implementation of cost-share practices to reduce soil erosion, and improving the productivity of agriculture lands. The program is administered by the 14 West Virginia Conservation Districts with assistance from the West Virginia Conservation Agency. Supported practices are determined by the Conservation District to address local resource concerns.

• Through the program, financial and technical assistance are offered as incentives to implement best management practices.
• Applications are reviewed once monthly during the regularly scheduled board meeting.
• Applications are approved based on ranking criteria and availability of funding.
• Practices must not be initiated until board approval.
• ALL practices MUST be completed and receipts turned into CCD District Manager by June 1, 2017 for reimbursement. There are no extensions on this date.
• Please call the Capitol Conservation District office at 304.759.0736 with any questions.
• Applications may be scanned and emailed, but an original copy of the application must be brought or mailed to the district office at the address listed on our home page.