What is the Agricultural Enhancement Program?
The West Virginia Agricultural Enhancement Program (AgEP) is administered by the West Virginia Conservation Districts (CDs) with assistance from the West Virginia Conservation Agency (WVCA).
AgEP's mission is to assist the agricultural cooperators of West Virginia Conservation Districts with the voluntary implementation of best management practices (BMPs) on West Virginia agricultural lands in order to conserve and improve land and water quality for all West Virginia residents. The program offers technical and financial assistance as an incentive to implement suggested best management practices.
Overall program primary objectives include the reduction of nutrients and sediment from entering the waters within the State and increasing farm profitability and sustainability.
AgEP Newsletter July 2018.pdf
What are agricultural best management practices?
Agronomic or engineering activities that contribute to the wise use and sustainability of natural resources.What are the BMPs offered through AgEP?
Each Conservation District (CD) has the opportunity to select from the State Conservation Committee approved list.Please contact your local CD to learn which practices are available for you.
This WVCA BMP manual is available and contains useful information.
(Click on BMPs to see a brief definition for each. The name will appear in red for that BMP on the next page.)
Cover Crop
Critical Area Planting
Deer Exclusion Fence
Frost Seeding
Hay Reseeding
Heavy Use Area Protection
Invasive Species Management
Lime
Micro-Irrigation
Nutrient Management (Commercial Fertilizer)
Pasture Division Fence
Pasture Establishment or Reseeding
Pollinator Planting
Pond Clean-Out
Precision Agriculture
Roof Runoff Management
Urban Agriculture
Watering Systems
Water Protection Exclusion Fence
Winter Grazing
Woodland Exclusion Fence
How do I apply for AgEP?
Applications are taken during set periods at the Conservation District office. For specific dates contact your local CD.Am I eligible?
- In order to be eligible for the program you must:
- Be a Conservation District cooperator within the CD you are applying
- Obtain a conservation plan (have materials to support development of a plan)
- Obtain a comprehensive nutrient management plan, if applicable
- Be the owner or operator of the land (if operator proof is required)
- Additional land eligibility criteria may exist - contact your local CD for additional information
How is my application evaluated?
Each eligible application is ranked by staff according to approved ranking criteria. Questions range from general information to practice-specific.Please follow THIS LINK to see a list of BMP specific evaluation forms.
Who makes the approvals/denials?
The Conservation District board takes action on AgEP applications based on the ranking scores and available funds. Applications by Conservation District supervisors are approved/denied by the West Virginia Conservation Agency based on the ranking scores and available funds.What are the program timelines?
The program year for AgEP is July 1 - June 30. The program criteria, financial assistance rates, program schedules, BMPs and other information is approved each year by the State Conservation Committee and must remain in place for the entire program year. Each CD will have different application periods, ranking periods and program deadlines within the July 1 - June 30 program year. Please contact your local CD for additional information.What other resources are available for conservation assistance?
Please look over the resources provided by other agencies on our Outside links page.Below are a few examples of best management practices through AgEP:
Lime
Use Exclusion Fence
Pasture Division Fence
Alternative Watering Systems
Cover Crops
Contact your local conservation district office for more information on the AgEP.
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