Farm Service Agency employees from the Virginia State Office and the county office located in Warrenton, Virginia, recently played host to approximately 23 Korean government officials who work in the Korean Ministry of Environment. The Koreans were visiting the U.S. for the purpose of observing and studying American environmental protection policies and efforts. They were particularly interested in the Virginia CREP as well as other watershed issues. They wanted to learn how Virginia CREP practices protect public health and the environment in the region, especially concerning water quality. They also wanted to know how CREP participants are compensated.

FSA teamed with Natural Resources Conservation Service and local Soil and Water Conservation District officials to provide an overview of the Virginia CREP. FSA State Executive Director Jacquelin (Jacki) Easter welcomed the group and explained that across the country, more than 34 million acres are enrolled in CRP, including more than 614,000 in CREP. Virginia has over 3,400 farms and 62,000 acres enrolled in CRP with a little over 20,000 acres enrolled in CREP.

"CREP is unique in that it is a partnership between the Federal government and State and local governments and non-governmental groups," Easter told the group.

After receiving the overview, the group visited two Virginia CREP sites in Rappahannock County. Their first stop was the Greenwood Cattle LLC, owned and operated by Dick McNear.

There the group observed the nearly 1,000 acre ranch with approximately 100 acres enrolled in the Virginia CREP. Owner Dick McNear told them this was the first federal program in which he had been a participant because he felt this was the program that was fair to farmers.

From there the group traveled a few miles to the Mount Vernon Farm in Sperryville, Virginia, owned and operated by J. Clifford Miller. There they saw a unique operation. Miller raises 100 percent grass-fed Argentine-style beef and New Zealand-style lamb. Miller raises his animals without grain, antibiotics, synthetic growth hormones, or chemicals. Miller has several Virginia CREP projects. The most notable are Riparian Buffer practices which include fences and water systems to keep the herds out of the streams running across his 700-acre operation.

The Korean officials had many questions during the tour. They explained that water quality issues are having an impact in their country, and they hoped to learn ways to mitigate their problems. By all accounts, the visit to Virginia accomplished their goal.

The Koreans survey Dick McNear farm and Filter Strip installed through the Virginia CREP.

Related Photo

Owner/operator Cliff Miller explains the CREP practices installed on his farm to government officials visiting from Korea.

Virginia FSA SED Jacki Easter explains CREP provisions to delegation from Korean Ministry of Environment. Virginia FSA Conservation Specialist Bob Smith also accompanied the delegation

A representative from NRCS explains some of the conservation planning employed on Dick McNear's farm. Virginia FSA SED Jacki Easter and farm owner/operator Cliff Miller listen along with members of the Korean delegation.