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.
Rob Thompson, sheep farmer from Potter County, discussing his successes with improving his forages and reducing the parasite pressures in his 200-ewe flock by implementing a system that includes daily rotations and over 60-day rest periods between grazing events. Photo taken by Lindsay Shapiro from PA Sustainable Agriculture (PASA).
On October 20, 2023, ninety-eight farmers and agency employees attended an educational grazing field day titled “Harvesting Abundance: Sustainability in our Grazing Havens,” held at the Wilson Land & Cattle Co. in Tionesta, PA.
Most attendees plan to implement the conservation practices they learned, including soil health improvement, rotational grazing, biodiversity, and non-point source pollution reduction via cover crop planting with a no-till planter.
Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
DCNR Service Forester for Beaver County Jessica Pierce (on the right) presents a Forest Stewardship sign to district representatives Hannah Ward and Richard Voytko. Photo provided by Beaver County Conservation District.
The Beaver County Conservation District has been certified as a Stewardship Forest. Jessica Pierce, PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Service forester, recently presented the district with a sign noting this achievement. The Forest Stewardship Program is designed to promote the wise use and sustained benefits of forest resources.
To obtain this certification, the district developed a Forest Management Plan to guide the management of the forest resources on the Environmental Center grounds.
The plan has four key goals, which include:
This plan details the major forest habitat types and how they will be managed over the next ten years. This plan complements the existing land management and integrated pest management plans previously developed for the environmental center grounds.
The forests and wetlands at the district environmental center grounds are open to the public for hiking, bird watching, and a host of other outdoor pursuits. Come visit the grounds and enjoy the forest!
Register for the 2024 PACD Winter Meeting today! The 2024 PACD Winter Meeting will take place as a series of videoconferences. All six committee meetings and PACD Executive Council will take place via Zoom, with the option to participate online or via phone.
Registration is free and required. You will need to register for each activity separately. To register, please click on the meeting you would like to attend.
Registration for PACD Executive Council:
PACD Executive Council Videoconference
January 25, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Email mburns@pacd.org for a link to register.
Registration for PACD Committees:
PACD Conservation Committee Videoconference
January 5, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Email mburns@pacd.org for a link to register.
PACD District Employees Committee Videoconference
January 12, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Email hmiller@pacd.org for a link to register.
PACD Education and Outreach Committee Videoconference
January 11, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Email swehinger@pacd.org for a link to register.
PACD Legislative Committee Videoconference
January 17, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Email mburns@pacd.org for a link to register.
PACD Ways and Means Committee Videoconference
January 18, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Email abrown@pacd.org for a link to register.
PACD Operations Committee Videoconference
January 19, 2024 | 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
Email mburns@pacd.org for a link to register.
Registrants will receive a confirmation email with information to participate via Zoom or phone. Meeting materials will be distributed prior to the meeting.
Video and slides for the first two sessions of the 2023 Fall Leadership Series are posted at Building for Tomorrow. The final webinar in our 2023 Fall series is scheduled for Wednesday, December 13, and will focus on identifying gaps in insurance coverage. Click here to register.
All districts that produced video content this year are encouraged to submit their entries for the 4th Annual Conservation District Video Awards, scheduled for February 15. The deadline for entries is December 29, 2023.
Strategic Planning Grants are available for 2024. Districts considering strategic planning in the coming year can visit Building for Tomorrow or contact Matt Miller, LD Program Manager mmiller@pacd.org for more information.
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.
Photos provided by Westmoreland Conservation District.
From: “Conservation Assistance to Farmers” article from WCD Landmarks High Points November 2023 Newsletter.
John Kitz, who recently received the 2023 Conservation Farmer of the Year award from the Westmoreland Conservation District, is now the first farmer in the county to receive funding from the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program, or ACAP. Conservation improvements on John Kitz’s Mount Pleasant farm include fencing along streambanks, a stabilized cattle crossing, streambank stabilization, a water trough, a stabilized animal heavy-use area, subsurface drainage, a livestock watering ramp, subdivision fencing, and a riparian buffer with approximately 385 trees and shrubs. Upon completion, approximately 3,500 feet of stream will be improved.
ACAP was created through the Clean Streams Fund to reduce nonpoint source pollution in Pennsylvania’s waterways. It provides funding and technical assistance to implement best management practices on agricultural lands. Funding for the program is provided through local conservation districts.
Click here to read more and to see before and after photos.
Jason Snyder, Owner/Pilot of Horizon Crop Care LLC of New Bloomfield, talked about what drones can do for farmers. Photo provided by Snyder County Conservation District.
Submitted by Barry Spangler, Ag Conservation Technician, Snyder County Conservation District
The Snyder County Conservation District held a Farming for the Future Day event at the Middlecreek Valley Antique Association Grounds in Selinsgrove on November 1, 2023. Eighteen farmers, landowners, consultants, and conservationists attended the event.
Click here to read more and see more photos.
Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Photo provided by Washington County Conservation District.
The Washington County Conservation District offered a Buffer Workshop over the summer that focused on riparian forest buffers and other Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) best management practices. CREP materials and resources were provided at the workshop.
The workshop had 15 participants and cost $994. CREP education and outreach events were funded through the CREP Mini-grant Program for Conservation Districts. Click here for more information and to apply.
Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.
The 4th Annual Conservation District Video Awards presentation is scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2024, from Noon – 1:00 p.m. Deadline for entries is Friday, December 29. Visit Building for Tomorrow for information on submitting your video.
Last week’s Financial Issues webinar included information on grant management, internal controls, and SCC policy on donations and fundraisers. Session video and materials are posted at Building for Tomorrow. There’s still time to register for the remaining two sessions in the 2023 Fall Leadership Series. A Tech Roundtable Meeting on Website Accessibility is scheduled for November 29, and a session on Identifying Gaps in Insurance Coverage is planned for December 13. Visit Building for Tomorrow to register.
Friday, December 22, is the deadline for districts to submit a Letter of Intent for the 2023-24 Strategic Planning Grants program. Interested districts can find more information and review the program requirements at Building for Tomorrow or contact Leadership Development Program Manager Matt Miller.
Stay tuned for big announcements on 2024 Staff Training and Director Training Workshops!
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.
Photo provided by SCCD.
The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) held a tour this summer that showcased best management practices installed on farms to prevent nutrient and sediment pollution. The SCCD cooperated with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Middleburg Field Office and other agency staff to offer the tour. Twenty-six participants learned about various conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP).
This CREP education and outreach event was funded by a $3,000 CREP Mini-grant for Conservation Districts. Click here for more information and to apply.
Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Growing Greener Watershed Protection grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and with additional support from USDA-NRCS.