Thirty individuals attended the Agricultural Conservation Technical Boot Camp Training – Basic Level March 24-27, 2025, at the Union County Government Center in Lewisburg, PA. Attendees included staff from conservation districts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and affiliates, the PA State Conservation Commission, county planning offices, and a nonprofit organization.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Conservation Commission, Penn State Extension, and PACD coordinate the event.

Registration is now open for Chapter 102 Basic Technical Training, which will take place May 19-23, 2024, at the Red Lion Harrisburg Hershey in Harrisburg, PA. Attendance is open only to conservation district and DEP employees working with Chapter 102.

The training is appropriate for individuals who are new or relatively new to their position, have never attended a similar training, would like a refresher, or would like guidance and skill enhancement for field inspections. The course curriculum assumes all participants have completed the prerequisite coursework on Clean Water Academy.

There is no cost to register, most meals are provided, and lodging reimbursement is available. (See registration page for additional details.) There is no virtual attendance option.

Click here for additional information and to register. You must log into the Clean Water Academy (CWA) to register. Please contact Kelly Davidson at kdavidson@pacd.org if you need help accessing the CWA. All other questions may be directed to Molly Burns at mburns@pacd.org.

This training is funded through a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection and made possible through the cooperation of the PA Association of Conservation Districts and Pennsylvania’s conservation districts.

Clean Water Academy is excited to launch our new Lunch & Learn Webinar Series! Our first session will take place on Thursday, March 27, from Noon–1:00 p.m. and will feature David Wise, Watershed Restoration Manager at Stroud Water Research Center.

David will present “The Overlooked Half of Forested Buffers: Stream Ecology and Trees,” exploring the critical connections between stream health and riparian forests. This session will provide valuable insights into how trees influence stream ecology and why they are essential for watershed restoration.

Grab your lunch and join us for this engaging and informative discussion! Click here to learn more and register. Registration is free but required.

Stay tuned for more Lunch & Learn sessions in the coming months!

Individuals working in agricultural conservation can dive into professional development opportunities by attending the “ACAP Ag Conservation Con,” April 1-3, 2025, at Best Western Premier: The Central Hotel and Conference Center at 800 East Park Drive in Harrisburg, PA.

This conference is designed for conservation district employees, agricultural conservation professionals, and anyone associated with the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) or other conservation financial assistance programs.

Click here for more information and to register. A discounted early registration fee of $55 is available through March 7, 2025.

The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training at Penn State Extension was formed in 2023 along with partners at the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission (SCC) and the Pennsylvania State Office of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Funding for the center is provided through the state Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). 

The application period for Agricultural Conservation Technical Training (“Boot Camp” Basic Level and Level II) is now open. Conservation district staff are encouraged to take advantage of these free training opportunities, including classroom learning and experience in the field.

The Basic level will be held once, and the Level II training will be held twice if needed. You may apply for one training only. Do not apply for both Basic and Level II this spring.

March 11, March 18, and April 4, 2025 (virtual)        
March 24-27, 2025 (in-person)              
Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Basic Level
Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.  
Union County Government Center, Lewisburg, PA

March 21 and March 28, 2025 (virtual)  
April 7-11, 2025 (in-person)                  
Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II  
Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.  
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County) and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA                                                               

March 21 and March 28, 2025 (virtual)  
April 28-May 2, 2025 (in-person)           
Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II (IF NEEDED)      
Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.  
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County) and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA

The deadline to apply is January 29, 2025.

Email Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org with questions.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission sponsor the training, and PACD coordinates with these partners.

 

Mark your calendars for Chapter 102 Basic Technical Training May 19-23, 2025, at the Red Lion Hotel Harrisburg-Hershey in Harrisburg, PA. This training is open to conservation district and DEP staff who work with Chapter 102. The curriculum is designed for new or newer conservation district technicians and incorporates classroom learning and a field component. Registration will open in March. Questions? Contact Molly Burns with PACD at mburns@pacd.org.

This training was funded through a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection and made possible through the cooperation of the PA Association of Conservation Districts and Pennsylvania’s conservation districts.

Twenty-six students attended the Intro to Conservation Planning training in Lebanon, PA, from November 19-21, 2024. The three-day training provided a mix of classroom learning and field experience.

The training was made possible by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission. PACD provided administrative support.

Mark your calendars for Agricultural Conservation Technical Training (“Boot Camp” Basic Level and Level II). Conservation district staff are encouraged to take advantage of these free, week-long training opportunities, including classroom learning and experience in the field.

Basic will be held once, and Level II will be held twice (if needed). Applicants may apply for one and only one of the three training sessions. Do not apply for both levels this spring.

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Basic Level
March 11, March 18, and April 4, 2025 (virtual)
March 24-27, 2025 (in-person)
Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.
Union County Government Center, Lewisburg, PA

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II
March 21 and March 28, 2025 (virtual)
April 7-11, 2025 (in-person)
Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County) and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II (IF NEEDED)
March 21 and March 28, 2025 (virtual)
April 28-May 2, 2025 (in-person) (if needed)
Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County) and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA

The application period will open in early January 2025. Email Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org to receive a notification when the application period opens.

The following sponsors make these training opportunities possible: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.

 

Conservation district and DEP staff are invited to register for a Verbal Judo Workshop October 16-17, 2024, at Toftrees Golf Resort in State College, PA. Participants will learn techniques to redirect emotionally charged verbal attacks to generate voluntary compliance, enhance their professionalism and gain improved verbal communication skills.

Registration is free and required and space is limited to 50 registrants. In the unlikely event that demand exceeds space available, preference will go to staff who conduct inspections or respond to complaints. Most meals are provided and up to two nights of lodging are covered. Click here for more information and to register.

This training is coordinated by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts and funded through a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection.

PACD is partnering with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the State Conservation Commission (SCC) to deliver a three-day Introduction to Conservation Planning course. This free training is scheduled for November 19-21, 2024, at the Iron Valley Golf Club, 201 Iron Valley Dr., Lebanon, PA.

The event is for entry-level employees of all organizations in Pennsylvania delivering conservation planning technical assistance, including, but not limited to, NRCS, conservation districts, SCC, farmland preservation entities, and non-profits. This training is only for those interested in writing conservation plans and becoming NRCS Certified Conservation Planners or apprentices.

The training is free, and lunch will be provided.

The application period is now open. Click here for the application and more information. Click here for information on the pre-requisite.

The deadline to apply is September 27, 2024.