Photo caption: Photo provided by Versant Strategies.
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!
(Left photo, left to right) Amy Brown, Senator Judy Schwank, and Chris Thompson. (right photo) Chris Thompson, Amy Brown, Senator Scott Martin, MeeCee Baker, and Derek Snyder.
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.
Photo of check presentation event provided by Berks County Conservation District.
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.
Photo caption: (left) Molly Burns and Amy Brown represent conservation districts at the Capitol.
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.
Luke Brubaker pulls a wagon on a tour of his farming operation.
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.
Amy Brown (left) and Barb Peace at the PACS announcement.
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.
(Top) Giorgi staff and representatives, (middle photo from left to right) Korissa Quinter, from Representative Rusnock’s Office; Jill Whitcomb, DEP; and Representative Jacklyn Rusnock. (bottom) Attendees prepare for the tour. Photos provided by Berks County Conservation District.
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.
(Left to right) State Representative Joe Hamm and State Representative Jamie Flick speak during the Legislative Breakfast. Photo provided by Lycoming County Conservation District.
On March 27, 2025, the Lycoming County Conservation District held a Legislative Breakfast in Williamsport, PA. Twenty-nine people attended the event.
Legislators in attendance included:
Legislators represented by their staff included:
During the event, the district highlighted the past year’s accomplishments in various programs. Special attention was given to the ongoing Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program from Tropical Storm Debby. All in attendance offered their ongoing support for the residents of Lycoming County, and statewide, who were affected by the flooding this storm caused. Lycoming County will have 21 EWP projects due to this storm event.
(left to right) LCCD District Manager Chris Thompson, PACD Director of Programs & Operations Amy Brown, and LCCD Chair and PACD Secretary/Interim Treasurer/Interim South Central Region Director Sonia Wasco.
On March 25, 2025, the Lancaster County Conservation District (LCCD) held its annual awards banquet in Lancaster, PA.
The program showcased examples of conservation work done throughout Lancaster County, and the district board recognized individuals and organizations contributing to the county’s natural resource concerns.
During the banquet, the district also held its 18th annual fundraiser auction to benefit its scholarship program.
PACD Director of Programs and Operations Amy Brown attended the event.