Reduce erosion
Reduce erosion

Conversion of low return-on-investment row crop land to switchgrass can reduce soil loss by up to 95 percent.

Improve water quality
Improve water quality

Reduce phosphorus export by up to 89 percent and nitrogen losses by up to 84 percent

Improve nutrient management
Build soil carbon
Build soil carbon

Increase soil carbon by 1.8 tons or more per acre each year.

Boost farm revenue
Boost farm revenue

Participants receive a soil rental rate that is competitive with or higher than current values while reducing land management costs

Reduce farm management
Reduce farm management

Switchgrass establishment, management and harvesting is provided by the project team

previous arrow
next arrow

The Climate Smart Switchgrass Cropping System is a partnership between FDC Enterprises, Inc., the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and innovative skilled businesses including Starktech.

The project goals are to provide Virginia producers an alternative income opportunity by integrating native plant biomass on their property while also providing vital natural resource solutions to southern Virginia.

To paraphrase the NRCS, our aim is to “help Virginia’s farmers … conserve the nation’s soil, water, air and other natural resources. All programs are voluntary and offer science-based solutions that benefit both the landowner and the environment.”

Project Objectives

The Climate Smart Switchgrass Cropping System has a few key objectives. We share these to help our partners and farmers understand the mission and plan.

For more information, please visit NRCS’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

Let’s have a conversation

The first step is simply to answer your questions and see if this program could be a good match. There’s no obligation to participate. Give us a call today at 434-321-3666 or click on the button below to send us information about your farm.