Edgefield Soil and Water Conservation District

08/26/2026

08/22/2026

08/14/2026

Reports of Fall Armyworms are starting to come in on our pest tracker! Be sure to be monitoring and scouting your pastures/hayfields! Please report any Fall Armyworm sightings on our pest tracker.

https://www.clemson.edu/extension/pest-alerts/

08/14/2026

NRCS in South Carolina Accepting Applications for Conservation Programs

(Columbia, SC, August 11, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to put Farmers First through a historic investment in conservation on agricultural lands through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as a result of the conservation funding provided by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

“We know that America’s producers know the land the best and are the best stewards,” said NRCS State Conservationist Kellee Melton in South Carolina. “We encourage producers interested in conserving natural resources and keeping their operations productive, profitable, and sustainable for future generations to contact their local NRCS office.”

While NRCS accepts applications year-round, interested agricultural producers in South Carolina should apply by September 30 to be considered for fiscal year 2027 funding. Programs include:

Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP): The Agricultural Land Easement component of ACEP enables producers to protect their agricultural land from development by enrolling it in a permanent Agricultural Land Easement. The Wetland Reserve Easement component of ACEP helps landowners protect, restore, and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): CSP helps producers build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening their operation.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): EQIP provides producers with the technical and financial resources they need to address resources concerns on their land including improved water and air quality, increased soil health, reduced soil erosion, improved natural vitality and more.
NRCS is also providing additional financial assistance nationwide through the Regenerative Pilot Program (RPP), which enables producers to implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application for EQIP and CSP. RPP is part of USDA’s commitment to putting Farmers First and advancing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda by building a healthier, more resilient food system.

Additionally, producers can apply to participate in a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project. The ranking date for RCPP applications will be announced at a later date.

For more than 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forest landowners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. NRCS uses the latest science and technology to help keep working lands working, boost agricultural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. NRCS provides one-on-one technical advice and financial assistance and works with producers to help them reach their goals through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. For more information, visit

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06/18/2026

Edgefield Soil & Water Commissioners:

William G Smith III - Chairman
Joe Alvin Derrick - Treasurer
Malcolm O'Neal
Reg Williams
J. Lee Holmes

05/26/2026

Congratulations to Emerson Holmes and Mollie Bartley from Strom Thurmond High School. They each received the Bob Bowie scholarship given by the Edgefield County Soil and Water Conservation District.

05/21/2026

SALUDA COUNTY LAND OWNERS
The South Carolina Forestry Commission
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.