The Oconee Soil and Water Conservation District is in partnership with the Foothills Farmstead, a 501 (c) 3 organization, who is currently creating a living farmstead museum; which will interpret farm life in our county, circa 1885 to 1925. Several vintage farmstead buildings are in different stages of disassembly and reconstruction. For more information, visit www.foothillsfarmstead.org.
Oak Grove Center
The Oak Grove Center, located at 183 Capps Road in Westminster, is a 14-acre event center that includes the 4-H Barn, the Clemson Extension Riding Ring and the 100-year old Oak Grove School House. The Barn can be rented by contacting the OSWCD office (send message on our Contact Page or call 864-638-2213). We have hosted weddings, reunions, livestock shows and other events. We would be happy to hear from you and help you plan your proposed event.
Barn at Oak Grove Rental Contract
Oak Grove School Project
The Oak Grove School Project intends to refurbish the Historic Oak Grove School, a 100-year old building that was central in the history of the Oak Grove Community. Funds for a project of this scope are hefty and a continuous fundraising effort has been on-going, since we acquired the building from the Oconee County School District. Please contact the office for more information or to make a donation.
We offer two no-till drills for rent to perform conservation planting. Planting with a no-till drill conserves the soil by planting directly into the ground without having to break the surface by tilling. This has been a very successful endeavor and many acres of top soil have been saved by using this process. We encourage the rental of these drills for this purpose and can answer any questions you may have by contacting our office.
Rental fees are by the acre.
Oconee Soil & Water Conservation District Affiliate Member or Oconee County Cattlemen's Association Member | $10 / acre
Oconee County Resident | $14 / acre
Non-Resident | $16 / acre
Conservation Easements
Foothills Farmstead
No Till Drill
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides financial and technical assistance to farmers that address and benefit natural resource concerns. Participants receive assistance from your local NRCS office to plan, fund and implement improvements to conservation practices. These efforts not only help conserve natural resources, but also help improve local agricultural operations, in order to meet the farmer's goals and vision. This is a voluntary program that allows you and NRCS to co-invest in efforts to make conservation work for you. You can learn more about EQIP on the NRCS website: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/eqip/.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary program through the USDA's NRCS. Farmers that choose to add to their conservation efforts, in addition to continuing their current efforts, may receive payment through this program. The CSP addresses several concerns, such as: Air Quality, Animal Resources, Energy, Plant Resources, Soil Erosion, Soil Quality, Water Quality and Water Quantity. Through a 5-year contract, participants can receive annual payments for installing new conservation activities (enhancements), while maintaining existing practices. Additional information may be found on the NRCS website: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp.
Learn more with this CSP Infographic
Farm Service Agency Announcements
No current announcements.
FSA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
For more information on these and the many other services provided by NRCS and FSA, please visit the links provided below.
Natural Resources Conservation Service |www.nrcs.usda.gov
Farm Service Agency |www.fsa.usda.gov
Our Conservation Easement Program helps protect the precious resources and productive farm land we have here in Oconee County. We currently hold 22 conservation easements, protecting over 2,700 acres and continue to work with property owners on additional protections.
Conservation easements are a voluntary, legal agreement that limits the uses of land, in order to protect its conservation values. By working with the NRCS, the South Carolina Conservation Bank and the Oconee County Conservation Bank, we are partnering to put preservation on the ground and provide green space for generations to come.
If you have interest in protecting your property or would like more information, call or email to schedule an appointment with the District Manager to discuss options.
NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE AND FARM SERVICE AGENCY