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Soil & Water reports $1.0 million in program allocations, $524,718 STRAP grant
Summary
Soil & Water presented its FY24–25 accomplishments: five cost-share contracts totalling roughly $60,894, payments to landowners of $45,688.25, nearly 3,000 feet of exclusion fencing, 300+ acres of cover crops, and a $524,718 STRAP stream-rehabilitation grant.
Amelia Harold, the soil and water district natural resource conservationist, told the Board of Commissioners on Aug. 25 that the district administered conservation programs across Stokes County during fiscal 2024–25 and distributed more than $1 million in combined program allocations.
Amelia said five state-approved cost-share contracts in 2024–25 totaled $60,894 and that EQIP and CSP contracts contributed roughly $167,324 and $248,000 respectively to projects in the county. The district reported installing nearly 3,000 linear feet of livestock exclusion fencing, more than 300 acres of cover crops, and other best-management practices that together affected some 658 acres and resulted in calculated nutrient savings (about 980 pounds of nitrogen and 300-plus pounds of phosphorus saved).
She described the new STRAP (stream rehabilitation assistance) grant the district won — $524,718 allocated to remove roughly 2,500 cubic yards of sediment from a Little Yakin watershed structure and debris removal across seven stream segments totaling nearly 11,000 linear feet; work began in May and is expected to conclude in winter 2026.
Amelia also noted outreach and education efforts: a conservation awards banquet, Envirothon and environmental awareness programming for students, a no-till seed drill program, and volunteer support for district activities.
Commissioners praised the district’s outreach and encouraged greater publicizing of services so more landowners can access cost-share programs.
Next steps: the district will continue STRAP work into winter 2026 and staff hopes to broaden outreach to increase program uptake.
