From backyard gardens to family farms, Campbell County residents are taking conservation into their own hands—and getting help to do it.
Campbell County Conservation District members presented to the Campbell County Fiscal Court on May 7 during soil and water conservation stewardship week. The district has promoted the sustainability of natural resources in the county since 1945, when it was incepted by a citizens’ vote in response to the 1930s Dust Bowl.
Kirt Hill, with the conservation district, highlighted some of the new programs and services offered. Hill said the district’s cost-share programs are a large part of its work.
The conservation districts offer cost-sharing programs, such as the backyard conservation local cost-share. This incentive program is intended to assist landowners with the cost of implementing conservation practices that benefit soil and water quality and wildlife habitat. The program reimburses 75% of project costs up to $500 and can go toward things like purchased materials and services, equipment rental and labor.
Hill said the district has seen a recent increase in program participation, with its most popular programs being backyard conservation and supplemental agriculture (enables farmers to do best demonstrated practices on their land).
In the 2024-2025 fiscal year, here are the amounts awarded in assistance under each program:
- Backyard conservation: 98 applications approved, totaling $49,000.
- Cover crop: three applications approved, totaling $3,000
- Dead animal removal: district funds totaling $18,125
- Farm dump cleanup: six applications approved, totaling $15,000
- Heavy Use Area: 11 applications approved, totaling $27,500
- Supplemental agriculture: 24 applications approved, totaling $60,000
- Tree swap: district funds $8,110
- Waste water disposal: Two applications approved, totaling $5,000
“It was one of our goals to raise awareness about what we do and drive participation, and we’ve been able to do that,” Hill said. “So, we are absolutely delighted by that.”
Because marketing its programs has been successful, the conservation district is pausing new applications to ensure it can fulfill its obligations to those already approved.
The district budget is about $190,080 to cover technical and financial obligations to give back to citizens. Education and outreach are budgeted at $100,275. The district provides outreach at no cost to citizens.
“We do adjust our programs by what our citizens are interested in,” Hill said. “In the last five years or so, we have added some newer programs that are for non-farming citizens, be it tree planting, tree swap and then that popular backyard conservation.”
Campbell County has nearly 500 farms. To view the grant opportunities offered through the conservation district, click here.
“I had a grandfather who was a farmer, and he liked to say, ‘The only thing between us and starvation is topsoil,’” said Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery. “Then he had a sort of famous conflict with the lady next door. She wanted him to cut down some trees on the property line, and he told her, ‘Those trees make the oxygen she breathes.’ I was standing right by to watch her. She was pretty dazzled. That’s what we’re dealing with here.”
Each year, the Campbell County Conservation District hosts its Backroads Farm Tour. The tour highlights agricultural producers in the area, be they farms, wineries, or flower producers. It is a family-friendly event that allows visitors to learn about agricultural processes and buy things made within Campbell County. This year’s tour takes place on Saturday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
