On February 14, 2023, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) administered oaths of office to its new Officers and Executive Board members. Cliff Lane took the oath of office as the North East Region Representative. Cliff is also McKean County Conservation District Commissioner Director, Secretary/Treasurer, and PACD North West Region Director.
Click here to read the press release.
Brian Sneeringer (left) receives the Distinguished Service Award from NACD President Michael Crowder.
During the National Association of Conservation District’s (NACD) Annual Meeting in New Orleans last week, Brian Sneeringer received the Distinguished Service Award. Sneeringer is the Ag Conservation Supervisor at the Adams County Conservation District.
For over 30 years, Sneeringer has been a conservation district leader in no-till and implementing conservation practices. His well-established reputation with the farm community allows him to have one-on-one discussions with local farmers, where he challenges them to think outside the box and try new and innovative techniques. He is an innovator, leader, mentor, and outstanding example of a high-performing conservation professional.
Congratulations Brian! Click here to read the press release.
PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh (second row, right) attends the Executive Director Meeting. Photo from NACDconserve Flickr.
The Association of Conservation Executive Directors met on February 13, 2023, during the National Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting in New Orleans. The group began building its first Plan of Work, discussed upcoming funding opportunities, and held elections.
Mark your calendars for the 2023 Section 319 Virtual Watershed Planning and Implementation Meeting from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on May 22-23, 2023. The event is open to entities involved in Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management projects, including conservation district staff, PA Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency staff, incorporated watershed associations, counties, municipalities, councils of governments, 501(c)(3) non-profits, educational institutions, and municipal authorities. Registration will open in March.
The 3rd Annual Conservation District Video Awards presentation was held on Thursday, February 16.
Clips from eight 2022 video submissions were screened, district staff discussed the production of their content, and awards were presented based on overall production, presentation, and messaging scoring.
The First Prize, and the coveted CONDIVA trophy, went to “Improving Driveways and Access Lanes,” submitted by Kylie Schultz of Westmoreland Conservation District.
Runners-up trophies were awarded to Berks, Chester, and Pike County Conservation District entries.
Video of the 3rd Annual CDVA presentation and links to the 2022 entries can be found on the Building for Tomorrow website.
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.
Dr. Heather Karsten, Associate Professor for Penn State University’s Department of Plant Science, reviews the results of a manure injection study. The workshop was held at Reinford Farms, Mifflintown.
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.
Photo of installed rain barrel provided by Dauphin County Conservation District.
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.
Photo provided by Tioga County Conservation District.
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.
William Lyons, Ag Land Preservation Board Chairman, addresses the audience. Photo provided by Perry County Conservation District.
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.