Soil & Water Conservation

The Alleghany Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is a governmental subdivision of the State of North Carolina, charged with the responsibility of promoting soil and water conservation and establishing conservation programs in the District. The District partners with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other state, federal and local agencies to carry out these responsibilities. The office is located on the second floor of the county office building at 90 S. Main St. Room 200 in Sparta.

A five-member Board of Supervisors directs the affairs of the District. The District Board meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 90 South Main Street in the conference room at 11:00 am and are open to the public. Contact the office for questions or to be put on the agenda..

MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of the Alleghany Soil and Water Conservation District is to promote the conservation of natural resources in Alleghany County through education, technical assistance, and available economic incentives.

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Alvin Dixon, Chairman
Travis Dalton, Vice Chairman
Jena Reeves, Sec/Treasure
Bill Osborne, Member
Dustin Sheets, Member

Preservation and protection of natural resources can be achieved through many technical, financial and educational programs.

The Alleghany County Agricultural Advisory Board (AAAB) was appointed as one of the recommendations of the comprehensive Farmland Preservation Plan adopted by the County in November 2013.The AAA Board will pursue grant opportunities, advise county government in agricultural related issues, and encourage and promote agriculture to ensure the economic viability and profitability of farms in the future.

AAA Board
Johnny Wishon, Chair
Jimmy Joines, Vice-Chair
Stacey Barker, Secretary/Treasurer
Alvin Dixon
Aaron Gambill
Travis Dalton
Dustin Sheets
Bill Hash
Tracy Bottomley
Cindy Atwood
Bill Osborne
Jimmy Phipps
Richard Doughton

Ex-officio Members
Nathan Cox
Aaron Ray Tompkins
Bobby Irwin
Brandon Keener
Chelsie Bobbitt

Technical/Financial Services
Technical assistance is provided to individuals, groups, or corporations to address natural resource concerns.

Technical and Financial assistance may be available for installing practices to address natural resource concerns through the following cost share programs: 

North Carolina Agriculture Cost Share Program (NCACSP) 

Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP)

Agricultural Water Resources Assistance (AgWRAP)

Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP)

Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP)

We work with numerous state, federal, and local agencies and organizations to protect our natural resources.

Educational Programs
Contests: 3rd and 4th grade poster, 5th Grade Poster, 6th Grade Essay, 7th and 8th Grade Speech, and 9th Grade Computer Designed Poster competitions at school, county, area, and state levels.

Envirothon: County, AreaState, and North American Competitions: Environmental Educational events in which middle and high school teams attend outdoor stations and compete in the area of soils, aquatics, wildlife, forestry, and current environmental issues.

Resource Conservation Workshop: Two or more high school students are sponsored to attend NC State University for one week in June for classes and college orientation, with field trips in the study of natural resources.

NC Ag in the Classroom
Project WILD
Project WET

Scout programs/Day Camp, Agricultural Fairs and Environmental Field Days
Provided upon request.

Eric Hamilton
District Director
eric.hamilton@alleghanycounty-nc.gov

Chelsie Bobbitt
Admin and Education Coordinator
chelsie.bobbitt@alleghanycounty-nc.gov

Contact:
90 South Main St., Room 200
PO Box 1095
Sparta, NC 28675
Phone: 336-372-7777
Department Links:
FAQ
Newsletter
Alleghany Soil Survey
External Resources