Each year the PACD Auxiliary offers a $1,000 scholarship for Pennsylvania college students majoring in an agricultural or environmental field. The deadline to apply is June 15.

Student Eligibility:

Students must meet all four of the following requirements in order to be eligible:

1. Must be a Pennsylvania resident
2. Must attend a Pennsylvania college or university
3. Major must be related to:

a. Agriculture
b. Environment
c. Conservation

4. Must be a Junior or Senior in a four-year program
OR
Must be in the second year of an Associate’s degree program

How to Apply:
Interested students must complete and submit an application form by June 15 to:

PACD Auxiliary Scholarship
York County Conservation District
118 Pleasant Acres Road
York, PA 17402

Photo by Holly Hunt

Photo by Holly Hunt

Photo by Holly Hunt

Photo by Holly Hunt

Photo by Holly Hunt

Photo by Holly Hunt

Photos courtesy of Holly Hunt.

In early April, 26 individuals from PA’s conservation districts, Natural Resource Conservation Service, PA Department of Environmental Protection and county farmland preservation offices participated in agricultural conservation technical training (also known as “boot camp”) at Fort Indiantown Gap (a National Guard Training Center) in Annville, PA. The basic level is an intensive, hands-on training for newer employees to learn about conservation agronomy, working with landowners and applicable regulations.

An advanced course was held two weeks later. The 24 Agricultural Conservation Technical Training Level II participants were divided into two tracks: agronomy and engineering. These individuals with more work experience were able to build on the knowledge they gained during the basic level training.

“PACD understands that training is important to the conservation districts. That is why we continue to help facilitate this training,” said Robert B. Maiden, PACD Executive Director. “I had the opportunity to speak to the Level II participants and I let them know how important the work they do is to Pennsylvania’s citizens. I’m proud that PACD is integral in planning this training which uses local farms as outdoor classrooms where the participants can see first-hand the conservation practices they learn about in the classroom.”

The training is also sponsored by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.

Greetings,

My name is Brandi Hunter-Davenport and I am the new Director of Education with PACD.

I am very excited about this role and the work I will be able to do with each of you.

My background is a mix of the nonprofit, state government (including some time with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) and higher education sectors. Within the last 10 years, I have developed vast experience in media relations, training and development, event planning, writing, public relations and marketing as well as some grant writing.

I plan to use these skills and help you meet your needs in your various districts. Together, we will ensure you have a strong media presence so that your surrounding communities know of the work you are doing to protect and preserve your part of Pennsylvania. I will also secure funding for your projects that will allow you to continue the conservation and stewardship of your towns, rivers, streams and open lands.

I look forward to meeting you all and learning from each of you.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly if there is anything I can do to be of assistance.

Thank you and I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Brandi Hunter-Davenport
Director of Education, PACD
brandi-davenport@pacd.org

To mark Earth Day 2012, members of the community, local officials and the Mercer County Conservation District (MCCD), celebrated an innovative Earth Day event at Munnell Run Farm with help from GeoCaching equipment.  The goal of this earth day event was to teach the local community how to explore environmental treasures using this new technology.

“Today’s event truly exemplifies the spirit of Earth Day,” said Robert B. Maiden, Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts while taking part in the GeoCaching experience.  “Using technology to explore the environment is becoming more important especially with our youth. If we can encourage our children to use technology to learn to love the outdoors - it’s a true – win-win.”

During the day-long celebration, MCCD and Munnell Run Farm showcased the worldwide sensation of GeoCaching, or the outdoor activity that uses Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology to locate “hidden treasures” or unique geographic locations.  The day started with a general lesson on how to Geocach. Then conservation district staff took each member of the community on guided lessons on how to use the GPS to find unique geographic locations. Afterwards, the district served the community a family style lunch and then ended the day with a old fashioned family scavenger hunt.