Juniata County Conservation District held two soil health workshops. The first workshop was held at Chip Spatz’s Farm in Richfield on October 13, 2022.  Twenty-eight people attended the workshop. The highlight of this workshop was the opportunity to view an actively growing multi-species cover crop mix.

The second workshop was held on February 1, 2023, in Mifflintown. Thirty-two people attended. Attendees discussed the cost-effectiveness and benefits of soil health to production and water quality and the importance of soil health best management practices.

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.

The submission deadline for the 2023 National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Poster Contest is June 30, 2023. The theme this year is “One Water.” Posters must be submitted to PACD via email to swehinger@pacd.org. Click here for the contest flyer and here for more information from NACD. 

Last week, Pennsylvania’s county conservation districts were awarded over $65,000 for thirty-seven pollution reduction projects in twenty-eight counties. These projects educate adults on water pollution prevention. Projects are funded through the Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-Grant Program. The projects will take place over the next fifteen months.

Click here to read the entire press release and here for a summary of funded projects. 

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.

In December, the Tioga County Conservation District held a Women in Agriculture meeting in Wellsboro. Eighty attendees learned about managing livestock to improve pastures, manure management and agricultural erosion and sedimentation plans, and lawn conversion.

After the workshop, attendees better understood different best management practices and how they can improve their farm and benefit downstream water quality.

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.

On December 12, 2022, the Perry County Conservation District Board hosted the Farmland Preservation 10,000 Acre Celebration and Annual Banquet at the Perry Mennonite Reception Center in Elliottsburg, where a delicious dinner was served to 114 attendees.

Click here to read the entire article. 

All district personnel are invited to tune in via Zoom for the 3rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards next Thursday, February 16, from Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Only a handful of spaces are left for the Employment Law for Conservation Districts seminars February 21–23. Director and managers, don’t miss this valuable training opportunity – visit Building for Tomorrow to register.

Registration for the March 9 CliftonStrengths workshop at Keystone State Park is closed, and the rest are filling up quickly – any staff or managers interested in attending can visit Building for Tomorrow to register before February 17.

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 January 24, 2023, the Cumberland County Conservation District held its annual cooperating agency luncheon and board meeting. PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh attended the event and provided a report.

Mark your calendar and join us for the PACD spring region meetings! All meetings will be in-person with a virtual option.

March 21, 2023 | 10:00 a.m.
PACD South Central Region Meeting  
Cumberland County Conservation District, Carlisle, PA

March 23, 2023| 9:30 a.m.   
PACD South East Region Meeting      
Henning’s Market, Harleysville, PA

March 30, 2023 | 10:00 a.m.
PACD North East Region Meeting   
Schuylkill Conservation District, Pottsville, PA

April 4, 2023 | 10:00 a.m.        
PACD North Central Region Meeting  
Clinton County Conservation District, Mill Hall, PA

April 12, 2023 | 10:00 a.m.   
PACD North West Region Meeting    
Suites on Main at PennWest Clarion University, Clarion, PA

April 19, 2023 | 10:00 a.m.   
PACD South West Region Meeting  
Westmoreland Conservation District, Greensburg, PA

All district personnel and partners are welcome to join us on February 16 for the 3rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards. Tune in via Zoom from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. as we celebrate district-produced video content and find out who will win the coveted CONDIVA trophy for 2022.

Registration is still open for the 2023 Employment Law for Conservation Districts seminar series scheduled for February 21-23. Space is limited and filling up quickly, so directors, associate directors, and managers interested in attending should register as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this valuable training opportunity. Visit Building for Tomorrow to register and for more information.

Staff and managers participating in the CliftonStrengths 2023 Initiative should complete their assessments by February 3, and those planning to attend a team-building workshop should register by February 17. Visit Building for Tomorrow for registration 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.

As the Conservation Technician for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) in the North East Region, the incumbent will provide technical assistance to the Growing Greener program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

This position will: provide technical assistance to area partnership Growing Greener personnel and the NRCS in the planning, design, and construction of engineering practices; prepare designs of agricultural conservation practices and water quality best management practices (BMPs), which are site-specific and require coordination among various groups and individuals; and provide engineering assistance in conducting preliminary investigations.

Salary Range: $40,000 to $42,000. Benefits include health insurance, a 401k retirement plan, and accrued PTO leave.

Click here for the full job description. Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD at jobs@pacd.org. The deadline to apply is January 31, 2023.