Agricultural Stewardship
The Agricultural Stewardship Program works with farmers and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts to resolve water quality problems reported to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) concerning nutrients, sediment and toxins from agricultural activities.
Why is this Program Important?
Virginia’s agricultural community promotes stewardship of our land and water resources. As a show of commitment to this concept, agricultural leaders supported the passage of the Agricultural Stewardship Act (ASA) in 1996. The ASA program gives the farmer an opportunity to correct a water quality problem voluntarily before any enforcement action is taken. The ASA can also be an opportunity to educate all parties involved regarding best management practices and agriculture.
How is the Program Structured?
The Agricultural Stewardship Program is administered by VDACS’ Commissioner's Office, which receives all complaints. If a complaint is under the jurisdiction of the ASA, the local Soil and Water Conservation District is notified and given the opportunity to investigate, assist VDACS with the investigation or defer to VDACS to perform the investigation. After a complaint is investigated, the Commissioner's Office reviews the findings and determines if the complaint is founded and requires further action under the ASA. If so, the farmer is required to develop a plan to correct the problem and complete plan implementation within 18 months. The Commissioner's Office contacts complainants to inform them of the findings.
What’s Not Covered?
The Agricultural Stewardship Program does not cover agricultural activities subject to water quality permits from the Department of Environmental Quality, forestry activities, air pollution, odor concerns or water quality problems that do not involve an agricultural activity.
What Are Examples Of Water Quality Problems?
Water quality problems may be caused by nutrients from manure in feed lot runoff, sediment from erosion on crop fields, toxins from pesticide runoff, etc.
More Information
Contact
For questions regarding the Agricultural Stewardship Act Program or to file a complaint, please contact your regional coordinator.
VALLEY/NORTHERN REGION: |
SOUTHWEST REGION: |
CENTRAL/EASTERN REGION: |
| Tim Higgs | Joseph Maloskey | Darrell Marshall |
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Agricultural Stewardship Program Coordinator SWCD/Localities: |
Agricultural Stewardship Program Coordinator SWCD/Localities: |
Agricultural Stewardship Program Manager SWCD/Localities: |
| Timothy Abbott | ||
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Agricultural Stewardship Program Coordinator 261 Mount Clinton Pike Harrisonburg, VA 22802 Mobile: 804.718.8232 Fax: 804.371.7679 timothy.abbott@vdacs.virginia.gov SWCD/Localities: Mountain Castles - Craig, Botetourt Mountain - Alleghany, Highland, Bath Lord Fairfax - Shenandoah, Warren, Frederick, Clarke, (Winchester) Loudoun - Loudoun Northern VA - Fairfax Prince William - Prince William John Marshall - Fauquier Culpeper - Greene, Madison, Culpeper, Rappahannock, Orange Tri-County/City - Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, (Fredericksburg |
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