Submitted by Dylan Varner, Nutrient Management Specialist, Cumberland County Conservation District

Cumberland County Conservation District conducted their Pre-Sidedress Nitrogen Test (PSNT) program. The PSNT program helps determine if additional nitrogen is needed to reach the desired yield goals, limiting, and in some cases eliminating, excess nitrogen from entering surface water entities.

Cumberland County’s 2022 PSNT Program tested 132 fields equaling 2,304 acres. Twenty-one farmers participated, and just two farmers required additional nitrogen.

If all the farmers participating needed a nitrogen recommendation and would follow our calculated recommendation, we would save around 247,432 lbs. of excess nitrogen from being applied to the fields and potentially entering the Chesapeake Bay. This, on average, would save each participating farmer $5,891 at current nitrogen prices. This would be a big step in helping Cumberland County reach its goal to reduce its current nutrient pollution by 2.205 million pounds of nitrogen per year.

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Urban soil is known to contain contaminants, like lead, that harm human health. New research from the University of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Conservation District links patterns of contamination in Pittsburgh’s soil with historic emissions from the city’s industrial past.

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Position Title:  Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant

Number of Positions Available:  1

Salary Range:  $20-22/hour

Location:  5925 Stevenson Ave., Suite A, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Duties:

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) supports Pennsylvania’s conservation districts so they can conserve natural resources for our future. The PACD Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant is responsible for bookkeeping and clerical duties and provides general program support for the office. This is a part-time position reporting to the Executive Director.

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

A qualified candidate should have the following:

• Working knowledge of bookkeeping using QuickBooks, including entering payroll and reconciling accounts.
• Ability to play a critical role in the office’s day-to-day operation, including answering phones, processing mail, and ordering supplies.
• Organizational skills and attention to detail to assist with a variety of programs on an on-going basis.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks and Microsoft Office Suite.

Education:

Applicant must, at a minimum, have completed high school.

Work Schedule:

This position is part-time, 20-25 hours per week. Hours are somewhat flexible. Occasional travel is required.

Benefits:

Benefits include a 401k retirement plan, nine paid holidays, and accrued PTO leave. Relocation expenses will not be provided.

How to Apply:

Candidates must submit a resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references to PACD:

Please apply by e-mail with the subject heading “Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant” to jobs@pacd.org.

Deadline for Application: 

All application materials must be received by 4:30 pm EDT on August 19, 2022.

 

All management staff are encouraged to register for the 2022 Management Summit, September 13-15 at the Wyndham Conference Center State College. This year’s conference features a dedicated Pre-Con meeting on Tuesday, September 13, that will examine fundamentals of team management and personal leadership development and is suitable for all new and first-time managers, assistant managers, team leads, and other aspiring management staff. In addition, summit attendees will be invited to participate in the CliftonStrengths for Managers assessment. The focus topics for Wednesday, September 14, include strengths-based management and partner relations, with two interactive workshops and a facilitated panel discussion. Thursday, September 15, will include a group discussion on program cost assessment and other budget issues, along with a presentation from the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership.

Visit Building for Tomorrow for more information to register for the 2022 Pre-Con and Management Summit.

The deadline for reservations from the Wyndham room block is Friday, August 12 – please see the event registration pages for room reservation instructions.

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.

 

Armstrong Conservation District planted 2.4-acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffer along Crooked Creek in Burrell Township, Armstrong County. The project cost $12,434.00 and was paid for through PACD’s multi-functional buffer sub-grant program: https://pacd.org/?page_id=17536 

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 Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

Beaver County Conservation District planted 6.5-acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffer at Zelienople Airport in Beaver County. The project cost $24,948.00 and was paid for through PACD’s multi-functional buffer sub-grant program: https://pacd.org/?page_id=17536 

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 Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

 

On June 29, 2022, Jefferson County Conservation District held a grazing field day at Sandy Lick Farm in Summerville, PA. Thirty-seven farmers and agency personnel attended the event. Attendees were able to see first-hand the benefits of a rotational grazing system, utilizing a roofed heavy-use area and manure storage for the winter months.

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.

Clearfield County Conservation District held a field day for farmers on July 29, 2022, at a dairy farm in Dubois, PA. Seventy people attended the event. Topics included cover crops and nutrient management.

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.

Discounted conservation district registration is available.

PACD is co-hosting a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) Review Course. The course will be held at the Red Lion Hotel Harrisburg Hershey on October 25, 2022. The cost is $365 for non-district participants and $175 for conservation district staff (contact hmiller@pacd.org for the discount code). Register online at https://envirocert.org/event/pacd-cpesc-in-person-training.

The CPESC certification is a professional designation for erosion and sedimentation technicians, engineers, and other specialists involved in the design, construction, inspection, or other aspects of erosion and sedimentation control.

The review course will ensure CPESC applicants understand which concepts will be covered by the exam and acts as a review for most of those concepts. Applicants for the exam should have a sufficient combination of education and experience to be able to independently study the materials identified in the General Principles Review Manual.

The review course is open to anyone, including conservation districts, agency staff, or private companies, actively pursuing a CPESC certification through EnviroCert International, Inc. Please pass this information along to anyone who may be interested.

*If you have not yet started the CPESC certification process, we recommend you go to the Envirocert International, Inc. website and review the requirements and process now. Please see the link below for certification instructions.

Click here for more information. 

Registration is open for the 2022 Management Summit Conference, scheduled for September 13–15, 2022, at the Wyndham Garden State College Conference Center in Boalsburg. This year’s event starts with a Pre-Con meeting on Leadership Fundamentals on Tuesday, September 13. It is suitable for all new and first-time managers, assistant managers and team leaders, and any other staff aspiring to management roles in their districts. The traditional two-day Summit meeting on Wednesday, September 14, and Thursday, September 15, features sessions on strengths-based management, partner relations, and financial topics, including budgeting and program cost assessment.

Visit Building for Tomorrow for Summit Conference agenda and registration.

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.