NEW MARKET, VA (Rocktown Now) —The Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative announced the opening of its incentives program for landowners and farmers. Now through November 30, farmers in 16 counties across the Blue Ridge, northern Virginia Piedmont, and now also in the Shenandoah Valley can apply for financial incentives to implement practices that help support nesting grassland birds during the 2026 haying and grazing season.

“Delayed haying until at least July 1 is a game changer for birds, because it allows them to fledge at least one successful clutch of young. But it also lets producers strategically spread-out labor requirements during the hay cutting season, and the higher-fiber, more mature hay resulting from delayed haying is good for feeding dry cows, horses, and retired animals, as well as for mushroom hay and bedding,” said Lauria McShane, PEC’s VGBI assistant in a release.

VGBI will provide tools and technical assistance and pays farmers up to $35 per acre in exchange for: 1) delaying the first cut of hay until July 1 or later; and/or 2) rotating livestock out of select fields between April 15 and July 1 or later. Farmers can learn more about the program and apply at Financial Incentives Program – Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative.