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.

Highlighting PA conservation district employees who go above and beyond. Conservation district directors, associate directors, and staff may highlight outstanding district employees in our weekly e-newsletter by using this form. 

PACD will randomly spotlight one social media post from a conservation district each week. Don’t forget to share or tag other districts to share good news or something others could learn about.

This week’s feature item is Lancaster County Conservation District’s Facebook post about their best management practice of the month feature series. Follow the district at https://www.facebook.com/lancasterconservation.

Have a staff person in mind for the Outstanding in their Field feature? Use this form. 

 

As we kick off the new year, we’re looking back at 2025 to celebrate Clean Water Academy’s Top 10 Course Completion Champions across all conservation districts. These individuals completed the most courses throughout the year, demonstrating an incredible dedication to expanding their knowledge and expertise. Congratulations to our Top 10 learners!

1. Katie Sasala, Potter – 106 course completions
2. Brittany Brooks, York – 71 course completions
3. Kendra Schreck, Beaver – 71 course completions
4. Alexander Hrishenko, Mercer – 67 course completions
5. Alexander Peppiatt, Bucks – 65 course completions
6. Sara Benzio, Beaver – 64 course completions
7. Matthew Williams, Pike – 62 course completions
8. Alexis Albu, Berks – 57 course completions
9. Alaska Roberts, York – 56 course completions
10. Kate Vandal, Berks – 56 course completions

With new courses and training opportunities ahead in 2026, now is the perfect time to dive in

Click here to visit Clean Water Academy. 

Please contact PACD Water Resource Trainer Molly Bengs at mbengs@pacd.org with any questions or to create an account.

The Pennsylvania Clean Water Academy is an online training library administered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and supported by PACD. It provides training for DEP staff, Conservation District staff, Sewage Enforcement Officers (SEOs), and the public.

 

The monthly Board Development Video Series provides information and review on governance, compliance, and programmatic topics. These short-format videos are intended for viewing and follow-up discussion at your district board meetings. In the February installment, we preview some features of the newly revised online Director Handbook, which launches in March, along with a reminder about the “Back to Basics” Orientation Workshop regional series in March & April. Visit Building for Tomorrow for video and workshop registration links.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

 

On February 3, 2026, PACD Director of Operations Holly Miller attended the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) Workgroup meeting at Toftrees Golf Resort in State College, PA. Partners met to discuss priorities and the future of the program.

All district and partner staff are invited to attend an Assertive Communications & Conflict Management workshop, scheduled at five locations throughout the state in March. The training will be facilitated by Rita Graham, who explains why this topic is important and what attendees will take away from the workshop in this short video.

The workshops run from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and networking with refreshments begins at 9:00 a.m. Lunch is provided. Attendance is free but registration is required. Please click the links below to register:

• Tuesday, March 10 – French Creek State Park, Elverson 
• Tuesday, March 17 – Fred Rogers Institute at St. Vincent College, Latrobe 
• Thursday, March 19 – Ramada Conference Center, State College 
• Wednesday, March 25 – Camp Orchard Hill, Dallas 
• Tuesday, March 31 – Wanango Country Club, Reno

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

 

PACD and the PA Society of Professional Engineers, in conjunction with the PA Department of Environmental Protection, are hosting an Engineers Workshop: Permitting without Pain – Presenting Lessons Learned and Best Practices for Chapter 102. Six professional development hours are offered.

March 10, 2026 | 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Penn State Harrisburg Campus, Capital Union Building, Middletown, PA

Click here for information, including registration, agenda, and pricing. Please share this information with your local engineers.

PACD will randomly spotlight one social media post from a conservation district each week. Don’t forget to share or tag other districts to share good news or something others could learn about.

Washington County Conservation District’s Facebook post on their grazing series. Follow at https://www.facebook.com/pawccd/.

Have a staff person in mind for the Outstanding in their Field feature? Use this form. 

PACD held its annual Winter Meeting on January 29, 2026. Members received reports on work done by the PACD committees, heard from partners about their efforts, and learned what PACD staff have been working on over the last six months, including the new PACD Strategic Plan.

NACD Northeast Region Representative Nika Colley joined PACD at the recent PACD Executive Council Meeting and shared several links to help Pennsylvania’s conservation districts make the most of their national association:

• NACD Education Materials
• Legislative Fly-in Information and Issue Papers
• How to Take Advantage of Your NACD Membership (YouTube Video)

Nika also encouraged any district staff, directors, or associate directors who need help using the NACD Members Only Page to reach out to her at nika-colley@nacdnet.org.