The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) held two manure management plan (MMP) writing workshops for farmers, farm owners, livestock, and poultry operators to write their own MMPs. The sessions were held at the SCCD office on March 24, 2022. Nine farmers attended.

Barry Spangler, SCCD Agricultural Conservation Technician, gave an overview of the Manure Management Manual and other agricultural, environmental regulations. He gave a step-by-step process of how farmers can write their MMPs that meet these new regulations, including a demonstration of PAOneStop. Spangler also provided information about the state agricultural erosion and sedimentation plan requirements for owned and rented lands.

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 Section 319 Virtual Watershed Planning and Implementation Meeting will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. May 18-19, 2022. The event is open to entities involved in Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management projects, including conservation district staff, DEP and EPA staff, incorporated watershed associations, counties, municipalities, councils of governments; 501(c)(3) non-profits, educational institutions, and municipal authorities.

Click here for more information and to register.

The Conservation Technician for the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD) provides technical assistance to the Growing Greener program and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The area covered includes 17 counties in the South Central and South East Region.

This position will: Provide technical assistance to area partnership Growing Greener personnel and 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.

Click here for the full job description. In addition, candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to PACD at jobs@pacd.org. All application materials must be received by 4:30 p.m. on March 31, 2022.

Spring 102/105 Basic Technical Training will take place May 3-6, 2022, at the Red Lion Harrisburg Hershey in Harrisburg, PA. Attendance is open to new conservation district and DEP staff working with Chapters 102 and 105.

Thanks to a grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection, there is no cost to register, most meals are provided, and reimbursement for mileage and lodging is available. (See registration page for additional details.)

Registrants should note the course curriculum assumes all participants have completed the prerequisite coursework on the Clean Water Academy. In addition, due to the nature of the training and the integral nature of the field component, there is currently no virtual attendance option.

Click here for additional information and to register. You will need to log into the Clean Water Academy (CWA) to access this link. Please contact Nick Yeagy at nyeagy@pacd.org if you need assistance accessing the CWA. All other questions may be directed to Molly Burns at mburns@pacd.org.

For the second year, the Elk County Conservation District is issuing a challenge to other conservation districts to pick up trash during the month of April.

The district that picks up the most trash in their county is the winner. First, track the number of bags and weight of trash (if possible). Then, share your district’s photos and results on Facebook using the hashtags #ConservationCallout #DistrictTrashTalking.

The winning district will be recognized during the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference in July and receive the trash talker award (pictured) for the year. The trophy is currently held by the 2021 winning district in Washington County and will be passed on to the 2022 winner.

Potter County Conservation District (PCCD) held a Legislative luncheon on March 11, 2022, at the beautiful Susquehannock Lodge and Trail Center in Ulysses, PA. Senator Chris Dush, Representative Clint Owlett, and Representative Martin Causer, among many other local leaders, attended.

Dauphin County Conservation District planted a total of 5.7-acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffers at four sites in Dauphin County. Together the projects cost $17,651.56 and were 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.

Recognized by both the Pennsylvania State House and Senate, April 10-16, 2022, will be “Conservation District Week.” During this week, district offices will hold in-person and virtual meetings with legislators.

Conservation district resources are available here. 

Resources include:

• Press Release
• Fact Sheet (Word) 
• Template Letter to Legislators (Word) 
• Follow-up Thank You Letter (Word) 
• Template Proclamation (Word) 
• Social Media Images 

Please take advantage of these resources PACD created for conservation districts to use.

PACD is accepting mini-grant applications up to $3,000 to implement educational and outreach activities that support and extend the work of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). Projects should focus on CREP enrollment, re-enrollment, CREP maintenance, or riparian buffers.

Project examples:

• Walkabouts/field days
• Farmer and landowner workshops
• Riparian buffer workshops
• Workshop series with several topics
• Developing educational materials like brochures, flyers, fact sheets, or even billboards
• Hire interns to provide CREP outreach

Districts are encouraged to work with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA’s Farm Service Agency, Pheasants Forever, PA Game Commission, Stroud Water Research Center, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, PA Department of Environmental Protection, and other CREP partners to set up workshops and other projects!

The extended application deadline is April 8, 2022. Click here for the application and guidelines: https://pacd.org/?page_id=23193

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.

Close to 4,000 township officials and guests from all over Pennsylvania will attend the annual Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) Conference and Trade Show, April 24-27, 2022. Once again, there will be a conservation district booth at the show from Sunday, April 24, through Tuesday, April 26.

Please consider volunteering for a morning or afternoon shift at the conservation district booth. This is a valuable opportunity to promote the districts, explain the type of work they do, and reinforce existing relationships with local township officials.

We are currently seeking volunteers for the following shifts:

• Sunday, April 24:  Noon – 5:00 p.m.
• Monday, April 25:  Noon – 4:00 p.m. (2nd shift)
• Tuesday, April 26:  7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

To volunteer, please contact Diane Young with PACD at dyoung@pacd.org.