PACD Executive Director Amy Brown joined Versant Strategies President/CEO MeeCee Baker and Chief Marketing Officer Bailey Fisher at the Capitol building in Harrisburg on June 22, 2026.

The group met with staff from both the House Republican and House Democratic Agriculture Committees, including the Executive Directors and a legislative fellow. They also met with Representative Eddie Day Pashinski, Chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, to discuss issues important to Pennsylvania conservation districts.

 

 

Submitted by Tammy L. Bartsch, Event Coordinator, Berks County Conservation District

On June 5, 2026, the Berks County Conservation District held their annual legislative breakfast. This year’s breakfast featured a Dirt and Gravel Road Project in Ontelaunee Township, Bowers Road and Lake Shore Drive (Route 73).

Guests enjoyed a delicious lakeside breakfast buffet, followed by presentations and a few speakers.

Dean Druckenmiller, District Executive, gave a presentation on a Dirt and Gravel Road Project, which was to reroute a road to improve access to the parking lot. The total grant amount from the State Conservation Commission (SCC) was $138,927.60, and the in-kind contribution from Ontelaunee Township was $166,882.85. It took a few years and a lot of hard work to get the project completed.

David Osgood, Watershed Specialist, presented information on the Source Water Protection Plan.

To wrap up the morning, the Reading Area Water Authority gave a tour around the lake, which is not accessible to the general public.

There were over 40 people in attendance, including Senator Judy Schwank, Representative Jamie Barton, and Representative Jacklyn Rusnock. Staff from Representative David Maloney’s office, Berks County Commissioners Christian Leinbach and Dante Santoni, and Berks County Controller Joe Rudderrow were also in attendance. A variety of agencies were represented, including the SCC, the Reading Area Water Authority, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Berks County Department of Agriculture, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

 

 

On April 28, 2026, Versant Strategies President/CEO MeeCee Baker and COO Derek Snyder met with House Ag Chairman Eddie Day Pashinski to celebrate Conservation District Week!

 

 

Lancaster County Conservation District Manager Chris Thompson and PACD Executive Director Amy Brown recently joined MeeCee Baker and Derek Snyder of Versant Strategies at the Capitol in Harrisburg. The group met with Senator Judy Schwank and Senator Scott Martin to thank them for their continued support. They also spoke about the increase in the line items in the state budget for conservation districts.

 

PACD Executive Director Amy Brown attended the Potter County Conservation District’s legislative luncheon on March 27, 2026, in Coudersport, PA.

During the luncheon, district staff presented accomplishments and future initiatives. They also held an open roundtable discussion with partners.

State Senator Tracy Pennycuick’s office helped the Berks County Conservation District obtain a PA Department of Community and Economic Development Watershed Restoration and Protection Program grant in the amount of $143,703. The grant funds will be used to restore a wetland and a tributary to Oysterville Creek in Pike Township, Berks County.

Currently, the tributary is routed along the road shoulder and is a traffic concern, especially in winter, when it causes ice buildup. With that come road salt issues, namely road salt entering an exceptional-value, wild brown trout stream. The Berks County Conservation District plans to return the tributary to its original channel and restore the wetlands. 

On February 3, 2026, PACD Executive Director Amy Brown and PACD Project & Event Specialist Molly Burns spent the afternoon at the PA State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg, where the Pennsylvania State Council of Farm Organizations (PSCFO) held its annual Cornucopia event. The event allowed participants to highlight Pennsylvania’s food and agricultural products while giving farmers and ag organizations the chance to connect directly with state legislators.

PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell C. Redding and the Dean of the College of Agriculture for Penn State, Troy L. Ott, spoke during the event.

On October 8, 2025, PACD Executive Director Amy Brown attended a legislative event in Lancaster County to promote funding for conservation on farms.

Also attending the event were Lancaster County Conservation District Chair and PACD Secretary Sonia Wasco, Lancaster County Conservation District Manager Chris Thompson, and State Conservation Commission Executive Secretary Doug Wolfgang.

Click here to read an article on the event. 

PACD First Vice President Barb Peace and PACD Acting Executive Director Amy Brown attended the announcement for the relaunch of the Pennsylvania Agriculture Conservation Stewardship (PACS) program on August 12, 2025, at Ag Progress Days.

Also during Ag Progress Days, Barb and Amy attended an evening legislative reception hosted by Penn State at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. Barb and Amy met legislators and spoke with PA Department of Agriculture Secretary Redding and Deputy Secretary Hostetter. PACD thanks Versant Strategies for sponsoring the event and inviting us to attend.

 

The Berks County Conservation District held its Legislative Breakfast on June 6, 2025, hosted by Giorgi Mushroom Company at their facility in Blandon, PA. The event highlighted the impact of collaboration among agencies and funding sources, specifically the Growing Greener Plus Grant Program. With $64,799 in grant funds and $27,023 in-kind and cash contributions from Giorgi, the project supported environmental management planning for mushroom farms, compliance visits with the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Best Management Practices implementation, and digital mapping of operations.

Following the presentation, attendees toured parts of the mushroom farm. The event welcomed representatives from Giorgi, the Berks County Conservation District, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Penn State Extension, state legislators and staff, the Berks County Commissioners, the DEP, and the State Conservation Commission. Giorgi went above and beyond in their hospitality by assisting with all aspects of the event and offering attendees local mushroom products and branded gifts. The Conservation District extends its sincere thanks to Giorgi Mushroom Company and all who participated in making the event a success.