Barnwell Soil and Water Conservation District

05/13/2026

APPLY NOW: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a second national deadline for agricultural producers and landowners to apply for fiscal year 2026 assistance in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The new deadline for entities to apply is May 29, 2026. NRCS is providing up to $200 million in funding for the application period for agricultural land easements.

ACEP helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore and enhance wetlands, protect the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses of that land that negatively affect the agriculture and conservation values, and protect grazing and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible land.

Agricultural land easements provide cost-share assistance to eligible entities to acquire easements from qualifying landowners, preserving agricultural use, including grazing, and protecting associated conservation values on eligible land.

Learn more: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/agricultural-conservation-easement-program/news/nrcs-announces-second?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

05/13/2026

APPLICATION PERIOD OPEN FOR HURRICANE HELENE DISASTER RELIEF BLOCK GRANT

Hurricane Helene dealt a heavy blow to forest landowners across the western part of South Carolina in September 2024. Recognizing these losses, the South Carolina Forestry Commission and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture applied for and received funds from the US Department of Agriculture to help offset a portion of these losses.

SCDA began taking applications for the SC Disaster Relief Block Grant for Helene today. The block grant is designed to help offset some of the financial losses suffered by farmers and forest landowners due to Hurricane Helene. Losses eligible for assistance include infrastructure damage, market losses, future economic losses and timber losses. The SC Forestry Commission is overseeing the timber loss aspect of this grant.

Here are the basics regarding timber loss:

Property must be located in an eligible county (see green counties in attached map).

Property must have been owned by a private landowner on September 27, 2024.

Property must contain at least 10 contiguous acres of forestland with at least 15% of the trees with significant damage (broken main stem, blown over or major crown damage).

No restoration work is required — these funds are designed to help offset financial losses. Participation in other federal programs does not impact eligibility for this grant.

Loss valuations will be carried out by consulting/registered foresters and by SCFC foresters.

Forest landowners who meet the following criteria can apply online by visiting the SCDA website at https://agriculture.sc.gov/divisions/agency-operations/grants/helene/.
For more information about the block grant, eligibility, application process and more, please visit our website at scfc.gov/management/landowner-services/hurricane-helene-timber-block-grant.

05/04/2026

Barnwell Soil and Water is proud to support Ms. Myrick’s agricultural class at Guinyard-Butler with the purchase of a new BenchMaster! 🌱 Investing in our students today helps grow the future of agriculture tomorrow.

02/17/2026

08/26/2025

Applications for EQIP and CSP are accepted on a year-round basis, but application evaluations only take place during announced batching periods. October 3, 2025, is the final date by which a producer or landowner must submit a signed application at their local NRCS office for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) funding consideration. Applications received after this date will be considered during the next funding cycle.

EQIP is NRCS’ flagship conservation program that helps farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners integrate conservation into working lands by offering technical assistance and financial incentives to implement practices that will improve the quality of the environment on their land. With over 170 practices available, EQIP allows producers to invest in solutions that will deliver benefits such as improved water and air quality, increased soil heath, and improved or created wildlife habitat.

CSP offers technical and financial assistance to help agricultural and forest producers who are already implementing conservation activities on their land and want to achieve a higher level of environmental stewardship. CSP provides annual payments over a five-year period to strengthen existing conservation efforts, address priority resource concerns, and improve agricultural production.

08/13/2025

The Bamberg Soil & Water Conservation District is looking for a part-time Administrative Assistant/Education Coordinator to join their team!

📍 Location: 3828 Main Highway, Bamberg, SC
🗓️ Deadline to Apply: September 30, 2025
📞 Contact: 803-245-4311, Ext. 3

💼 Qualifications:
✔️ Type at least 45 WPM
✔️ Proficient in Microsoft Word & Excel
✔️ Passion for education and conservation

📚 Duties include:
Office and bookkeeping tasks, plus coordinating educational programs and materials for schools and clubs.

📄 Applications available at the BSWCD office. Please feel free to share.

08/13/2025

Feral Hog Exclusion Fencing Program Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost share rate?
The NRCS cost share rate at 75% as a standard and 90% for historically underserved (HU) participants will be used.
This program will pay for the installation of permanent electric high tensile fencing. The Cost share for this practice is $1.64 per linear foot or $1.96 for HU participants.

What are the specifications for the fencing?
The Job Sheet provides the specifications for which the fencing must be installed.

What are the priority counties?
Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper, and Orangeburg

Do participants have to be in the priority counties?
No, anyone in the state can apply for the program.

Who will do the certifications for the practice?
SCACD will provide a technician to certify that the fencing has been installed to specification.

Application:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAMAAY7c-HRUOEZFUDFUOFZTUDBVR0VLQTRaTVFXU0dRNi4u

08/12/2025

We are pleased to share that the application deadline for this program has been extended. The new deadline is August 29th.

The South Carolina Association of Conservation Districts (SCACD) is pleased to announce the launch of the Feral Swine Exclusion Fence Funding Program, made possible through the NACD Feral Swine Exclusion Fencing Grant.

This cost-share program supports South Carolina landowners in installing fencing to protect against feral hog damage—an issue that causes millions of dollars in losses to crops, pastures, and natural resources each year.

Program Highlights:
• Reimbursement-based cost-share funding
• Supports installation of feral swine exclusion fencing
• Application deadline: August 29, 2025

APPLICATION:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAMAAY7c-HRUOEZFUDFUOFZTUDBVR0VLQTRaTVFXU0dRNi4u

08/06/2025

The South Carolina Association of Conservation Districts (SCACD) is pleased to announce the launch of the Feral Swine Exclusion Fence Funding Program, made possible through the NACD Feral Swine Exclusion Fencing Grant.

This cost-share program supports South Carolina landowners in installing fencing to protect against feral hog damage—an issue that causes millions of dollars in losses to crops, pastures, and natural resources each year.

Program Highlights:
• Reimbursement-based cost-share funding
• Supports installation of feral swine exclusion fencing
• Application deadline: August 29, 2025

APPLICATION:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAMAAY7c-HRUOEZFUDFUOFZTUDBVR0VLQTRaTVFXU0dRNi4u

03/27/2025

3rd Annual Kenneth Cathey Memorial Fishing Tournament

Students you are allowed to participate in this tournament as well. I know you guys didn't know Kenneth Cathey since he was a student of mine at Swansea but all money raised from this event will go into a scholarship account for you guys to have a chance to apply for in your senior year. If you have any questions, come see me. -Mrs. Still

Information Flyer: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGiYW4RHWc/h41lgjpYzpKGPZUeb_SmxA/edit?utm_content=DAGiYW4RHWc&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Rules/Regulations: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGiTN3--gU/pfO_54P8k6K7RczO43d2ew/edit?utm_content=DAGiTN3--gU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Registration Link: https://forms.gle/nqff1d6rtpK1gQ5S9

Online T-shirt Orders (participants that register and pay get a t-shirt, any non-participants or additional t-shirt orders will need to be purchased through the link) : https://kennethcatheymemorial.itemorder.com

**sponsors pictured on the proofs were from the last tournament, they will be changed for the current year's sponsors once those are finalized**

If you are interested in sponsoring this event or know somebody who would, please let me know and I will send you our sponsorship letter. We are in need of prizes and/or monetary donations to pay for the venue rental and prizes. All proceeds will go to a scholarship account for agriculture students and FFA members at Barnwell County Career Center. Since I started this in honor of Kenneth, I took this event with me when I left Swansea and started at BCCC.

PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD AND SHARE!!!!! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ANY SUPPORT TOWARDS THIS MEMORIAL FISHING TOURNAMENT AND SCHOLARSHIP FUND!