 Botetourt/Craig/Roanoke County, VA Newsletter - January 16, 2026 In This Issue: Mountain Castles Soil & Water Conservation District will host their annual banquet on Tuesday, February 10th, at the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department. Dinner begins at 6:00 pm followed by the awards program. The district will recognize the 2025 "Clean Water Farm Award" winner. Conservation program updates will be provided by Mountain Castles SWCD, NRCS, FSA, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the Virginia Small Farm Outreach Program. The banquet is free, but reservations are required. RSVP with Tim Miller at (540) 797-0217 or tim.miller@mountaincastles.org by February 5th. Top of page  USDA recently announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program available in all 50 states to assist American farmers in adopting practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality and boost long-term productivity, all while strengthening the nation's food and fiber supply. Administered by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), this new program delivers a streamlined, outcome-based conservation model—empowering producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application. During Fiscal Year 2026, the Regenerative Pilot Program will focus on whole-farm planning that addresses every major resource concern—soil, water and natural vitality—under a single conservation framework. USDA is dedicating $400 million through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and $300 million through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to fund this first year of regenerative agriculture projects. Learn more about the Regenerative Pilot Program. | Top of page USDA Botetourt/Craig/Roanoke County Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers of approaching application deadlines for purchasing risk coverage for some crops through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). NAP provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops impacted by natural disasters that result in lower yields, crop losses, or prevented crop planting. NAP covers losses from natural disasters on crops for which no permanent federal crop insurance program is available, including forage and grazing crops, fruits, vegetables, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf grass and more. Upcoming application deadlines for NAP coverage in Botetourt/Craig/Roanoke County for the 2026 production season include: - Grass Hay: February 17, 2026
- Grass Pasture: February 17, 2026
- Sunflowers: February 17, 2026
- Others: February 17, 2026
NAP basic coverage is available at 55% of the average market price for crop losses that exceed 50% of expected production. Buy-up coverage is available in some cases. NAP offers higher levels of coverage, ranging from 50% to 65% of expected production in 5% increments, at 100% of the average market price. Producers of organic crops and crops marketed directly to consumers also may exercise the "buy-up" option to obtain NAP coverage of 100% of the average market price at coverage levels ranging between 50% and 65% of expected production. Buy-up coverage is not available for crops intended for grazing. For all coverage levels, the NAP service fee is the lesser of $325 per crop or $825 per producer per county, not to exceed a total of $1,950 for a producer with farming interests in multiple counties. Premiums apply for buy-up coverage. If a producer has a Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification (form CCC-860) on file with FSA, it may serve as an application for basic coverage for all eligible crops beginning with crop year 2022. These producers will have all NAP-related service fees for basic coverage waived. These producers may also receive a 50% premium reduction if higher levels of coverage are elected on form CCC-471, prior to the application closing date for each crop. To learn more about NAP visit fsa.usda.gov/nap or contact your local USDA Service Center at 540-977-2698 x2. Top of page Farmers can use USDA farm ownership microloans to buy and improve property. These microloans are especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations. Microloans have helped farmers and ranchers with operating costs, such as feed, fertilizer, tools, fencing, equipment, and living expenses since 2013. Microloans can also help with farmland and building purchases and soil and water conservation improvements. FSA designed the expanded program to simplify the application process, expand eligibility requirements and expedite smaller real estate loans to help farmers strengthen their operations. Microloans provide up to $50,000 to qualified producers and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). To learn more about the FSA microloan program, contact your Pittsylvania County USDA Service Center at 434-432-9455 x4 or visit fsa.usda.gov/microloans. Top of page |
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