The McKean County Conservation District partnered with the Bradford Sanitary Authority and Penn State Extension’s Master Watershed Stewards to host a rain barrel workshop on April 15, 2023.

The Rain Barrel Workshop reached 29 participants. Topics included learning about rain barrels and rain gardens, watershed basics, stormwater impacts, and steps to take to reduce nonpoint source pollution. Participants of the workshop constructed a rain barrel to take home with them.

The workshop was part of the district’s “Promoting Healthy Watersheds” project, which also included a Winter Farmer’s Meeting and a No-Till Demo Day.

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Elk and Potter County Conservation Districts held workshops geared toward local realtors in January and February.

Project leader Victoria Challingsworth said, “Our goal was to reach new entities that play a role in some of the environmental impacts we see commonly and hoped to prevent issues before they arise. Real Estate Agents play a unique role and have the potential to provide a great deal of information about a property to interested buyers. We hope that educating realtors about environmental regulations will help them convey correct information to new owners about allowable activities near streams or wetlands.”

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Juniata County Conservation District joined the Chesapeake Conservancy, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Milford Township Supervisors, and community volunteers to install 680 live stakes on East Licking Creek. The field day provided instruction in identifying, cutting, storing, and installing live stakes on streambanks for water quality protection. 

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

On March 21, 2023, Fulton County Conservation District held an Ag Winter Meeting in Big Cove Tannery, PA. This was an educational event for local farmers to discuss how to properly use pesticides, manure nutrients, and apply nitrogen fertilizer to reduce the chance of field run-off during a high rainfall event. A presentation was also included on using cover crops to deter pests as an alternative to pesticide applications.

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Clarion and Jefferson Conservation Districts held the 25th Annual Western PA Grazing Conference on March 16, 2023, in Clarion, PA. There was also an evening session on March 15. This conference promotes sustainable grazing practices for Pennsylvania farmers. Troy Bishopp, “The Grass Whisperer,” was the keynote speaker. There were 149 registrants, including producers, grass farmers, agency personnel, vendors, and consultants.

The Clarion and Jefferson Conservation Districts help coordinate this annual conference as Western PA Grazing Conference Committee members. Committee members also include USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Penn State Extension, Northwest and Southwest Project Grass, and local farmers.

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

 

The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) conducted a meeting on February 17, 2023, in Selinsgrove. The meeting was for farmers dedicated to conservation-related issues. Speakers discussed proper soil and manure management, agricultural best management practices, available conservation programs, and newly developed corn nitrogen assessment tools. Farmers came away with methods, techniques, and guidance to manage their farms while improving water quality and farm resources.

Click here to read more about the meeting. 

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Five county conservation districts were awarded $12,645 for projects for the 2023 Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Mini-Grants. Conservation districts will use these grants to work with landowners to prevent pollution in our streams, lakes, and rivers. Projects will take place over the next six months.

The mini-grants were awarded to:

• Blair, $3,000
• Butler, $2,300
• Lebanon, $1,345
• Luzerne, $3,000
• Sullivan, $3,000

Projects include field days, workshops, and one-on-one visits. Whether participants are new to CREP or are already enrolled, they will learn more about the CREP program and how to make it work for them.

Contact Holly Miller at hmiller@pacd.org for more information about available funding for the CREP mini-grant program.

On September 27, 2022, Washington County Conservation District (WCCD) hosted an evening crop walk at the Carter Family Farm. Various cover crop strips were planted in August to serve as a demonstration plot for the event. In addition, a soil pit was dug so participants could see how cover crops improve infiltration and break up compaction. The farmer demonstrated how a cover crop roller works and discussed planting green.

WCCD also held two pasture walks and an agricultural winter meeting as part of the grant.

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Juniata County Conservation District held two soil health workshops. The first workshop was held at Chip Spatz’s Farm in Richfield on October 13, 2022.  Twenty-eight people attended the workshop. The highlight of this workshop was the opportunity to view an actively growing multi-species cover crop mix.

The second workshop was held on February 1, 2023, in Mifflintown. Thirty-two people attended. Attendees discussed the cost-effectiveness and benefits of soil health to production and water quality and the importance of soil health best management practices.

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Last week, Pennsylvania’s county conservation districts were awarded over $65,000 for thirty-seven pollution reduction projects in twenty-eight counties. These projects educate adults on water pollution prevention. Projects are funded through the Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-Grant Program. The projects will take place over the next fifteen months.

Click here to read the entire press release and here for a summary of funded projects. 

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.