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

Applications will be accepted and approved on a rolling basis until funds are expended. The project completion and final report deadline is May 2, 2025.

Project examples include:

– 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

Click here for the guidelines, application, and reporting documents for the CREP mini-grant program.

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.

Jefferson County Conservation District conducted one-on-one visits with seven landowners to review Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) maintenance. CREP information was also shared at county events and published in newsletters.

The project cost $647 and was paid for through PACD’s CREP Mini-grant Program.

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.

Juniata County Conservation District held a Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) tour. Participants learned about installing and maintaining CREP buffers along with program enrollment opportunities. The project cost $1,576 and was paid for through PACD’s CREP Mini-grant Program.

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 offers mini-grants for conservation districts for up to $3,000 to implement educational and outreach activities that support and extend the work of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

Beaver County Conservation District offered an educational workshop about CREP to 30 landowners. The workshop focused on CREP maintenance, new enrollment, and re-enrollment.

Blair County Conservation District held four multi-functional riparian buffer workshops this year to discuss the benefits of buffers and CREP. Seventy-five people registered for the events. 

Westmoreland Conservation District and partners held a Soil Health Conference that provided information about CREP and its benefits. CREP partners, including the USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service, were there to answer questions. Eighty-three landowners and partners attended the conference.

Contact Holly Miller at hmiller@pacd.org with questions about the program.

Photo caption: Photos provided by Beaver County Conservation District (top), Blair County Conservation District (middle), and Westmoreland Conservation District (bottom).

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

Applications will be accepted and approved on a rolling basis until funds are expended. The project completion and final report deadline is extended to October 31, 2024.

Project examples include:

– 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

Click here for the guidelines, application, and reporting documents for the CREP mini-grant program. 

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.

 

In January, Westmoreland Conservation District featured CREP at their soil health conference. Over 80 people attended the event.

In March, Beaver County Conservation District offered an agricultural workshop where participants learned about many ag programs, including CREP. About 30 individuals attended the event.

PACD is accepting mini-grant applications from conservation districts 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 will be accepted and approved on a rolling basis until funds are expended. The project completion and final report deadline is extended to October 31, 2024. Contact Holly Miller at hmiller@pacd.org with questions.

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 accepting mini-grant applications from conservation districts 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 will be accepted and approved on a rolling basis until funds are expended. The project completion and final report deadline is August 31, 2024.

Project examples include:

– 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, application, and reporting documents for the CREP mini-grant program can be found here. 

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.

The 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show runs January 6-13, 2024 in Harrisburg. This year’s event celebrates how we are Connecting Our Communities. Visit the Conservation District booth (co-located with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service) in the GIANT Exposition Hall.

Also, check out the new Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) banner that will be displayed in the Farm Show facility for all of 2024! This banner is part of the CREP Outreach Program Office hosted by PACD and funded through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.

Click here to read more about the event.

 

The Washington County Conservation District offered a Buffer Workshop over the summer that focused on riparian forest buffers and other Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) best management practices. CREP materials and resources were provided at the workshop.

The workshop had 15 participants and cost $994. CREP education and outreach events were funded through the CREP Mini-grant Program for Conservation Districts. Click here for more information and to apply.

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.

The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) held a tour this summer that showcased best management practices installed on farms to prevent nutrient and sediment pollution. The SCCD cooperated with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Middleburg Field Office and other agency staff to offer the tour. Twenty-six participants learned about various conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

This CREP education and outreach event was funded by a $3,000 CREP Mini-grant for Conservation Districts. Click here for more information and to apply.

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.