Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts

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Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training Level II 2025

Take advantage of this free training opportunity which includes both classroom learning and experience in the field! Five days will be in-person and two will be virtual.

Dates

Virtual Training:
March 21 and March 28

In-person Training: 
April 7, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. – April 11, 2025 at 01:30 p.m.
or
April 28, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. – May 2, 2025 at 01:30 p.m. (IF NEEDED)

Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course unless you previously attended Level II on one track and are now returning for the other. In that case, you will only attend the in-person training Monday-Wednesday, and you DO NOT need to attend the virtual portion.

Location

Keystone Conference Center
17-104 Essayons Rd, Annville, PA 17003

USDA NRCS Office
359 E Park Dr #2, Harrisburg, PA 17111

Please note that one track will meet at the Keystone Conference Center, and the other will meet at the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Appropriate for those who attended Basic or Level II training (and want to take the alternate track) in the years 2000-2024.

For Spring 2025, the Level II training will be held twice only if needed. The content is the same, and attendees will only attend one week.

Please note: Boot Camp is not a two-week course. The instructors prefer that you use the information you learned in Basic for a year and take Level II the year following Basic. Do not apply for Basic and Level II in the same year. 

If you do not receive confirmation from PACD, you will not be admitted. No walk-ins will be accepted. If you do not receive an email by February 7, please email swehinger@pacd.org.

COURSE CONTENT

General (provided to all): Conservation Planning and Ag Waste System Planning – plus the topics covered by your “track.”

FEES

Participant registration fees are waived. Funding is provided through a Special Leadership Development Project Grant, sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission.

LODGING

An overnight room block will be available. Information will be provided to those accepted into the course. 

For Conservation District Employees:
PACD will reimburse the conservation district (up to $140/person/night) AS FUNDING ALLOWS for the lodging of those whose office is more than 45 miles away from Fort Indiantown Gap. Monday through Thursday evenings only. Please note: there may not be sufficient funding to fund all four nights for every district employee. Reimbursement forms will be sent the week of the training. 

MEALS

Lunch will be provided. Breakfast and dinner will not be provided. Please plan to bring your own refillable water bottle and coffee mug.

The deadline to apply is January 29, 2025. 

Sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, State Conservation Commission, and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.