John Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District

06/01/2026

Don't be fooled by the recent rainfall, the U.S. Drought Monitor map shows Virginia is still in a moderate to severe drought.

Fauquier County Government has recently added a Drought Conditions 2026 tab to the website under County Administration. This site showcases current drought conditions, water conservation measures, water service providers information, and more.

To learn more and keep up with the drought status throughout the year, visit this link: https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/government/departments-a-g/county-administration/drought.

Fauquier County Agricultural Development
Fauquier County Department of Community Development

To see or report current drought impacts, please visit the Drought Impacts Toolkit, where you can find impacts from media in the Drought Impact Reporter and from citizen scientists and other volunteer observers under Condition Monitoring Observations.

05/29/2026

On April 14th, John Marshall SWCD hosted the first of two 2026 Conservation Farm Field Days at the Fauquier Education Farm! 270 students, teachers, and parents from three Fauquier County Elementary Schools, along with our natural resource partners, spent the day learning about, and speaking on, a wide range of topics. Stations ranged from livestock and wildlife, to soil and crops, forestry and riparian buffers, bees, aquatic ecosystems, and human impact.

Thank you to our partners from the Fauquier Education Farm (host farm and crop station), Fern Hill Apiary (bees), Fauquier County Environmental Services (human impact), Virginia Department of Forestry (forestry), Old Rag Master Naturalists (wildlife), Friends of the Rappahannock (riparian buffers), Fauquier & Rappahannock County Master Gardeners (soil), and to JMSWCD staff (livestock and aquatic ecosystems) for making this day so successful!

Fauquier County Agricultural Development

05/27/2026

Over Fauquier County Public School’s spring break, Fauquier County 4-H and the District cohosted an environmental science camp where 21 students explored the basics of our environment: soil and water. They then expanded their understanding to ecosystems and adaptations. The students learned about food webs/chains, macroinvertebrates and what they tell us about our streams, migration, competition in ecosystems, adaptations through bird’s beaks, and more!

Fauquier County Agricultural Development

05/26/2026

Happy last week of school Fauquier County!

Our teacher newsletter is out and takes a look into next school year with highlight events including Envirothon and VASWCD Youth Conservation Leadership Institute, poster and photo contests, Summer Professional Development Opportunities, and 2027 summer camps.

Reach out to Kelsi Steele, [email protected], any time with questions about programs.

Have a great summer! We look forward to partnering with you next school year!

Fauquier County Agricultural Development
Fauquier County 4-H
Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD)

05/22/2026

Our Spring 2026 Newsletter is now available on our website!

This quarter's newsletter includes articles highlighting spring education events, what JMSWCD staff is planting this spring, and information on Hidden Creek Farm's Regenerative Land Management Plan.

Other features in our newsletter are upcoming events for farmers, landowners, and interested citizens and noteworthy happenings around the state.

Follow this link to read our Spring 2026 Newsletter: https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/49026/639148012147370000

Visit our website at the following link to read some of our previous newsletters: https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/government/departments-h-z/john-marshall-soil-water-conservation-district/newsletters-annual-reports

Fauquier County Agricultural Development
Fauquier County 4-H

05/22/2026

Farm Service Agency (FSA) has two job openings in the Louisa County FSA Office.

Follow the link below for the job posting! Closing date to apply by is next Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Fauquier County Agricultural Development

This is a County Program Analyst position, located in the Louisa County FSA Office, in Louisa, Virginia. Major Responsibilities for this position can be found below.

05/19/2026

On April 10th, the District hosted their second Earth Day Fair at Highland School that offered 2nd-4th graders the opportunity to explore seven environmental topics and how they connect to one another.

Students engaged in topics about forestry from Virginia Department of Forestry's area foresters and bay watershed specialist, bees from Fern Hill Apiary, wildlife and insects with local expert volunteers, aquatic macroinvertebrates with Friends of the Rappahannock, soil with Fauquier & Rappahannock County Master Gardeners , and human impact from Fauquier County Environmental Services.

A big thank you to our partners for helping make this day happen and offering students fun, hands-on learning experiences!

05/19/2026

The Virginia Tech Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center is hosting an Equine Pasture Management Series this summer!

Learn all about:
- Grass identification, W**d identification, and Portable fencing options (May 28)
- Heavy use areas, Watering systems, Track systems, and Cost share programs (June 25)
- Hay, rationing, and Best management practices for pasture and grassland birds (July 30)
- Pasture renovation and Fertility (August 20)

All sessions will be from 6-8PM at the address 5527 Sullivans Mill Rd, Middleburg, VA 20117 with light hors d'oeuvres and drinks included!

Register for the sessions at this link: https://forms.gle/RxkokxbdP7jfG3Kb9

Fauquier County Agricultural Development

Join us for the Equine Pasture Management Series at the Middleburg Agricultural Research & Extension Center! Learn all about:
- Grass identification, W**d identification, and Portable fencing options on May 28th
- Heavy use areas, Watering systems, Track systems, and Cost share programs on June 25th
- Hay, rationing, and Best management practices for pasture and grassland birds on July 30th
- Pasture renovation and Fertility on August 20th

All sessions will be from 6-8PM at the address 5527 Sullivans Mill Rd, Middleburg, VA 20117 with light hors d'oeuvres and drinks included! You can register for the series at this link: https://forms.gle/RxkokxbdP7jfG3Kb9

Virginia Cooperative Extension - Loudoun
John Marshall Soil & Water Conservation District
Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact William Golightly at (540) 687-3521 during business hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event.

05/13/2026

📢 2026 Photo Contests

The 2026 VASWCD Photo Contest is open! The theme this year is “Stewardship in Sight.” Capture those vibrant moments and express what conservation looks like through your lens. All photographs must be taken within Virginia. Visit the VASWCD website (vaswcd.org/photocontest/) to learn more, submit photos, and see past winners. Deadline to submit is August 1, 2026.

John Marshall SWCD is hosting a photo contest from now until August 1, 2026! Do you have a photo that features agriculture or conservation? We’d love to see it! Fill out the form at the link below to have a chance to be featured in our Annual Report!

VASWCD Submission Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScnPbrIeLrvFrC7zQdK8edUylCMSyGASEuzDTKwgJ0WPsc1sg/viewform

JMSWCD Submission Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBKngRtPhF65Eb5ZqHzpbj8auLSGqqyrIeaec4YDMovcJpsg/viewform?usp=dialog

Fauquier County Agricultural Development

05/13/2026

📢DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JUNE 15, 2026!

There is still funding available for and enrollment is still open statewide for Virginia producers to improve their land with conservation practices that support their soil, pasture, and farm productivity.

Producers who have not previously participated in the Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture Project may apply for one of the following programs:

1) General Program: Producers may implement Nutrient Management, Grazing Management (formerly Prescribed Grazing), or Pasture and Hay Planting on up to 120 acres, with payments of $100 per acre.

2) Pasture Renovation Subpilot: An opportunity for producers to take a more comprehensive approach and implement all three practices — Nutrient Management, Grazing Management, and Pasture and Hay Planting — on up to 50 acres, with payments of $300 per acre.

More information about each program is available at the link below.

The enrollment period in Virginia is extended to June 15, 2026.

Fauquier producers who have questions regarding the program should contact Melissa Allen, JMSWCD District Manager, at 540-422-8493 or [email protected].

Fauquier County Agricultural Development
Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Virginia Tech Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center

Virginia is expanding the Alliance program in 2026. Producers from any county in Virginia are now eligible to enroll in the Alliance! Producers will implement one of the following practices: Nutrient Management, Grazing Management, or Pasture and Hay Planting.