2024-2028 Blue Ridge SWCD Strategic Plan: Agricultural Producer Survey

Agricultural Producer Survey

NOTE: If you are NOT an Agricultural Producer in Franklin, Henry, Roanoke Counties or the City of Roanoke, please DO NOT complete this survey. Please consider the General Constituent survey. Visit www. brswcd.org for other surveys.

The Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation District (BRSWCD) is in the process of updating our four year strategic plan to help guide our operations and generate our goals and objectives. We rely on input from our constituents to accomplish this. Your input is important to us, so we request that you thoughtfully answer each survey question.

Virginia's Conservation Districts are "political subdivisions of the Commonwealth of Virginia" classified as (501) (c5) that utilize state, federal and private sector resources to solve today's conservation issues. The guiding philosophy of all Conservation districts is that decisions on conservation issues should be made at the local level, by local people, with technical assistance provided by government.

Each conservation district is led by a Board of Directors (are not paid) made up of local people from all walks of life. These elected/appointed members study local natural resource issues and make decisions which enhance and protect their community.

The BRSWCD is one of 47 SWCD's throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia designed to give a local voice to the conservation of our state's natural resources. Our mission is accomplished through a variety of programs including the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMP) Program, an Environmental Education Program, Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP), Ag Stewardship Act, TMDL (319 grant(s), and a Technical Assistance Program. Blue Ridge SWCD serves the citizens of Franklin, Henry, Roanoke Counties and the City of Roanoke. The Blue Ridge SWCD was formed under the authority of Title 21, Code of Virginia passed by the General Assembly in 1938.

All SWCDs are required by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to develop a strategic plan that will guide district operations for a defined period. The following stakeholder survey will help direct us in our operations for the next four years. Your input is important to us, so we respectfully request your participation in the following survey. Information collected will be utilized to generate goals and objectives in our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan.
As a participation incentive, respondents will be eligible to win one of three random drawings of $75.00 each.

Please return the survey no later than November 1, 2024. Thank you in advance for your time, efforts and consideration to this request to complete this survey.

Mission Statement: "The Mission of the Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District is to promote conservation of our natural resources".

Vision Statement: "The Blue Ridge Soil & Water Conservation District, as an elected autonomous body, will strive to coordinate the natural resources interests to achieve our mission by educating and providing technical assistance to the citizens within".

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* 1. Where do you live? (Mark only one oval)

Franklin County

Henry County

Roanoke County

City of Roanoke

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* 2. What type of agricultural producer are you? (Check all that apply)

Beef

Dairy

Goat/Sheep

Crop

Other (please specify)

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* 3. Have you participated in a cost share program in the past four years? (Mark only one oval).

Yes

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* 4. Please rank your level of satisfaction with the Blue Ridge SWCD's customer service.

Very Dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

Neutral

Satisfied

Very Satisfied

N/A

Very Dissatisfied

Dissatisfied

Neutral

Satisfied

Very Satisfied

N/A

If dissatisfied, please provide comments as to why

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* 5. Do you know who represents your county/city on the Blue Ridge SWCD Board?

Yes

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* 6. Have you participated in a farm tour or other producer event sponsored by the Blue Ridge SWCD?

yes

Please provide comments and/or suggestions for a future field day or related event.

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* 7. What type of Best Management Practices have you implemented on your operation?

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* 8. Rank your level of satisfaction with the technical assistance you were provided when implementing best management practices.

Very Satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral

Dissatisfied

Very Dissatisfied

N/A (No technical assistance received)

Very Satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral

Dissatisfied

Very Dissatisfied

N/A (No technical assistance received)

If dissatisfied please provide feedback

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* 9. Rank the following agricultural resource concerns in relation to local water quality. (1 being most important) Mark only one oval per row

	1	2	3	4	5
Livestock access to water ways	Livestock access to water ways 1	Livestock access to water ways 2	Livestock access to water ways 3	Livestock access to water ways 4	Livestock access to water ways 5
Nutrient Management	Nutrient Management 1	Nutrient Management 2	Nutrient Management 3	Nutrient Management 4	Nutrient Management 5
Soil Erosion from crop fields	Soil Erosion from crop fields 1	Soil Erosion from crop fields 2	Soil Erosion from crop fields 3	Soil Erosion from crop fields 4	Soil Erosion from crop fields 5
Animal Waste	Animal Waste 1	Animal Waste 2	Animal Waste 3	Animal Waste 4	Animal Waste 5
Groundwater Quality	Groundwater Quality 1	Groundwater Quality 2	Groundwater Quality 3	Groundwater Quality 4	Groundwater Quality 5

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* 10. Identify new best management practices the Blue Ridge SWCD should consider promoting in the future. Examples: Cover crop mixtures, advanced nutrient management/greenseeker, alternative fencing, manure injection, cover crop rolling, etc.

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* 11. Are you aware that there are now multiple options for fencing out creeks? Any where from 10 feet fencing setback up to 50 feet fencing setback?

Yes

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* 12. How would you like to be notified about cost share opportunities and field days?

Newsletter

Office visit

E-mail

Website

Newspaper/Radio Advertising

Facebook

Other (please specify)

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* 13. Rank the following factors that influence your participation with cost share programs (1 being the most influential)* Mark only one oval per row

	1	2	3	4	5
Financial incentives	Financial incentives 1	Financial incentives 2	Financial incentives 3	Financial incentives 4	Financial incentives 5
Water quality improvement	Water quality improvement 1	Water quality improvement 2	Water quality improvement 3	Water quality improvement 4	Water quality improvement 5
Concern of future regulation	Concern of future regulation 1	Concern of future regulation 2	Concern of future regulation 3	Concern of future regulation 4	Concern of future regulation 5
Soil health improvement	Soil health improvement 1	Soil health improvement 2	Soil health improvement 3	Soil health improvement 4	Soil health improvement 5
Nutrient management	Nutrient management 1	Nutrient management 2	Nutrient management 3	Nutrient management 4	Nutrient management 5

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* 14. Please provide additional comments and/or suggestions related to the Blue Ridge SWCD's soil and water conservation efforts.

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* 15. For a chance to win one of three $75.00drawings, please provide information below:

Name

Company

City/Town

State/Province

ZIP/Postal Code

Email Address

Phone Number

Question Title

* 16. Thank you for completing this Agricultural Producer Survey. If you entered an opportunity to win one of three $75.00 drawings, the winner will be notified at the conclusion of the survey period.