BCTV.org recently released a video on urban agriculture programs. The video features Briana Johanson, Agriculture Resource Conservationist, and host Ryan Bradley, Clean City Coordinator for the City of Reading, discussing urban agriculture programs offered by the Berks County Conservation District.
Click here to watch the video.
The PACD Administrative Assistant is responsible for clerical duties and provides general program support for the office. This part-time position reports to the Executive Director in the Harrisburg, PA office. Salary range: $20-22/hour plus benefits.
Click here for the full announcement. Please apply by email with the subject heading “Administrative Assistant” to jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30 p.m. EDT on November 21, 2023.
Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS.
On October 19, 2023, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service officials joined Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission representatives to launch the new Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (the Center). Berks County Conservation District Manager Dean Druckenmiller attended the event.
Through the Center, this partnership aims to provide resources and technical expertise to Pennsylvania’s conservation professionals to implement agricultural conservation practices. The Center will also help ensure healthy land and water throughout the Commonwealth by leveraging funding and partnerships.
The Center will specialize in creating and hosting technical training, assuring conservation practices meet the highest quality standards, offering continuing education credits to conservation professionals, and furthering conservation practice implementation in the Commonwealth.
Click here to read the full press release.
Screenshot of Chelsey Weyant’s testimony.
On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Blair County Conservation District’s Stormwater Coordinator/Watershed Specialist Chelsey Weyant provided testimony to the Senate Democratic Policy Committee on the consequences of insufficient funding to address stormwater issues. Weyant represented the Blair County Conservation District, the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, and the Blair County Intergovernmental Stormwater Committee.
The Committee hearing addressed the increasing challenges stormwater issues cause our communities. Funds received from the American Rescue Plan were in high demand. However, it was determined that Pennsylvania needs nearly five times the initial funding to address water, sewer, and stormwater needs.
Click here to read the testimony and here to view a recording of the hearing. (Weyant’s testimony starts at 1:47.)
PACD is hiring six conservation planners or nutrient management specialists, who will work toward conservation planning certification for a two-year period to assist in conservation efforts across the Commonwealth. One planner will be hired in each of these counties: Dauphin, Erie, Bucks, Indiana, Lackawanna/Wayne, and Franklin. The salary range is $45,000 to $50,000 per year.
Click here to read the entire job description.
Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD by e-mail with the subject heading “Conservation Planner” to: jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:00 PM on November 3, 2023.
Gloria James is our newly hired Administrative Assistant at PACD. Gloria, husband Maurice, and their family reside in the City of Harrisburg. She enjoys dancing, live music festivals, gardening, and spending time with her family. She served in the US Air Force Reserve for eight years. Over the past two decades, she’s gained experience in the Administrative, HR, and Customer Service fields in both government and corporate sectors. Her email address is gjames@pacd.org.
The PACD Administrative Assistant is responsible for clerical duties and provides general program support for the office. This is a part-time position reporting to the Executive Director in the Harrisburg, PA office. Salary range: $20-22/hour plus benefits.
Click here for the full announcement. Please apply by e-mail with the subject heading “Administrative Assistant” to jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30 pm EDT on September 5, 2023.
Photo provided by Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Indiana County Conservation District Manager Doug Beri presented at the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ 75th Annual Meeting. Doug’s topic was, “Maximizing Total Compensation to Retain and Motivate Talented Employees.” The meeting was held in Springfield, Illinois from July 16 to July 18, 2023.
By: Brenda Shambaugh, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts
Brenda Shambaugh at the Senate Committee Information Session.
Did you know that over one-quarter of all the land in Pennsylvania is farmland? Of the 52,700 farms on this land, 88% are small producers making under $250,000 in gross revenue each year.
Many farmers rely on federal Farm Bill conservation programs to adopt conservation practices. Congress will soon consider a 2023 Farm Bill, which could provide a unique opportunity to focus resources on farms in Pennsylvania, helping to ensure clean water for future generations, reduce pollution, bolster farms to weather climate change, and keep them operating with a profit.
Click here to read the entire op-ed.
(Left to right) FCCD Manager Dave Stoner; Directors Nelson Egolf, Dennis Musser, and Evan Burkholder; Associate Director Samuel Worley; Directors Barry Best, Paul Witter, and Mike Ross. Not pictured: Franklin County Commissioner David Keller.
The Franklin County Conservation District (FCCD) recently celebrated the 102nd birthday of Associate Director Sam Worley. Worley served as an FCCD board member for 27 years (1992-2019), after which he was named Associate Director. He has served in various capacities for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) over the years and continues to be a member of the PACD Ways & Means Committee. His support and concern for conserving natural resources has been, and remains, an invaluable resource to Franklin County.