Kelly Snoddy, representing the Peter Francisco Soil & Water Conservation District, briefed the Buckingham County Board of Supervisors on the district’s annual activities and ongoing programs.

Snoddy said the district continues to offer agricultural and residential cost‑share assistance programs to install conservation practices aimed at improving water quality. She reported that, as between last year and the current program year, the district has approved projects and funding totalling about $1,400,000 for Buckingham and Cumberland and that for the 2026 program year the district has roughly 90 contracts under application.

On septic system assistance, Snoddy said the Slate River watershed program reimbursed Buckingham homeowners $25,484 to date, and the district reimbursed $11,693 for homeowners outside the Slate River watershed within Buckingham. She noted the septic program is a reimbursement program and that reimbursements can take up to 45 days depending on board approvals and paperwork.

Snoddy also reported staffing changes (retirement of Sherry Ragland; promotion of Snoddy to district manager/conservation specialist; hiring of Brandy Maxey as operations manager), scholarship recipients from the district (Jordan Dorrier of Buckingham to Sweet Briar, Rebecca Sanderson to Virginia Tech, Johnna Stevens to University of Lynchburg), youth education programming and the installation of satellite remote monitoring devices on watershed dams to improve notifications during high water events.

Snoddy encouraged residents to contact the district office or visit the district website for more information on cost‑share and septic programs.