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.

In December, the Tioga County Conservation District held a Women in Agriculture meeting in Wellsboro. Eighty attendees learned about managing livestock to improve pastures, manure management and agricultural erosion and sedimentation plans, and lawn conversion.

After the workshop, attendees better understood different best management practices and how they can improve their farm and benefit downstream water quality.

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.

PACD is now accepting mini-grant applications for up to $3,000 to implement educational and outreach activities that support and extend the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) work. Projects should focus on CREP enrollment, re-enrollment and/or CREP maintenance.

Applications are due February 24, 2023.

Project examples:

-Walkabouts/field days
-Farmer and landowner workshops
-Riparian buffer workshops
-Workshop series with several topics
-Developing educational materials like brochures, flyers, fact sheets, or even billboards
-Hire interns to provide CREP outreach

The guidelines and application for the new CREP mini-grant program for conservation districts are posted here https://pacd.org/?page_id=24534. Questions should be directed to Holly Miller at hmiller@pacd.org.

Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.

PACD is ready to open a new round of Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grants! This funding is possible thanks to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency continuing to support conservation district educational projects.

Grants up to $2,000 are awarded to conservation districts for adult educational projects that offer strategies for reducing and preventing NPS Pollution. Projects should stimulate local awareness of water quality issues, promote the theme “We All Live Downstream,” and encourage citizen participation in activities to improve water quality in local watersheds.

The deadline for NPS mini-grant applications is January 31, 2023. Projects selected for funding will be announced on February 8. Click here for the online application and more information. Questions should be directed to Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org.

Financial and other support for the NPS Mini-grant Program 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.

PACD is now accepting mini-grant applications for up to $3,000 to implement educational and outreach activities that support and extend the work of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Projects should focus on CREP enrollment, re-enrollment, and/or CREP maintenance.

Applications are due February 24, 2023.

Project examples:

• Walkabouts/field days
• Farmer and landowner workshops
• Riparian buffer workshops
• Workshop series with several topics
• Developing educational materials like brochures, flyers, fact sheets, or even billboards
• Hiring interns to provide CREP outreach

The guidelines and application for the new CREP mini-grant program for conservation districts are posted here. Questions should be directed to Holly Miller at hmiller@pacd.org.

Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.