Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts

We support Pennsylvania’s Conservation Districts who work for clean water and healthy soil every day.

Potter County Conservation District Holds Field Day

Photo provided by the Potter County Conservation District.

The Potter County Conservation District held a “Managing Buffers for Wildlife” field day, where they discussed the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), riparian areas, pollinators, invasive species, and forestry practices. The project cost $352.

This event was 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.

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Adams County Conservation District Holds CREP Field Days

Photo of buffer sign produced by the district.

Adams County Conservation District hosted Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) field days, farmer and landowner workshops, and one-on-one site visits as part of their CREP education and outreach project. Riparian buffer installation and maintenance demos were provided at the Adams County Planting Partnership tree distribution, where over 400 partners picked up tree seedlings.

The district received $2,993 for the project 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.

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Tioga County Conservation District Holds Soil Health Meeting

Photo provided by Tioga County Conservation District.

Tioga County Conservation District held a Soil Health Meeting where participants learned about the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), water quality, riparian buffers, soil health, and livestock health. About 19 people were in attendance. The project cost $1,363.

This CREP education and outreach event was 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.

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CREP Social Media Guide for Partners

PACD is currently running a campaign to raise awareness about the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to enroll more farmers and landowners, and we ask that you share the message with your network to amplify the campaign. We have compiled a guide with some suggested posts to share on your social media channels. You can also use the recommended posts as a guide and create your variations.

Click here for the CREP Social Media Guide. 

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Blair County Conservation District Holds Buffer and CREP Workshops

Photo provided by Blair County Conservation District.

Blair County Conservation District held four multi-functional riparian buffer workshops highlighting buffers and the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). A total of 54 people registered for the four events.

The district received $3,000 for the project 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.

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Clarion Conservation District Holds Conservation Workshop

Photo provided by Clarion Conservation District.

On March 22, 2023, the Clarion County Conservation District held a Conservation Workshop for farmers and landowners to learn about funding and assistance programs in the county, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).

Partner presenters included Clarion Conservation District, Clarion County Tax Office, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, USDA Farm Service Agency, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Keystone 10 Million Trees Program.

The district received a $2,600 mini-grant for outreach and education 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.

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Union County Conservation District Holds CREP Field Day

Photo provided by Union County Conservation District.

Union County Conservation District held a field day in partnership with the riparian ranger program. Participants learned about plant identification, riparian buffers, farm etiquette, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), funding opportunities, and more. The Union County Conservation District created a CREP brochure specific to their county with county resources and contacts that they distributed at this event and others.

CREP education and outreach events were funded through a $994 grant 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.

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Over $80,000 Available for CREP Mini Grants through 2024!

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.

Project Completion & Final Report Deadline: August 31, 2024

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

We encourage working with CREP partners to complete education and outreach activities. Partners include USDA Farm Service Agency, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, PA Department of Environmental Protection, Pheasants Forever, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Stroud Water Research Center, PA Game Commission, and other conservation districts!

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.

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Sullivan County Conservation District Holds CREP Workshop

Photo provided by Sullivan County Conservation District.

The Sullivan County Conservation District offered a workshop about the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), ponds, permits, and other programs that apply to farmers and landowners. Forty-three people attended the workshop and were provided with CREP resources.

This CREP education and outreach event was funded through a $1,444.00 CREP mini-grant from PACD. 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.

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Jefferson County Conservation District Promotes CREP at Farmer Meeting

Photo provided by Jefferson County Conservation District.

The Jefferson County Conservation District held a Farmer Winter Meeting on February 16, 2023, at the conservation district office to share programs, funding, and assistance available to farmers and landowners. Included on the agenda was the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The conservation district also shared CREP resources and materials at the Western PA Grazing Conference and the Jefferson County Fair.

This CREP education and outreach event was 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.

 

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