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Front Page: Your Weekly News & Updates
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| Meeting wrap-up and postponements, news from Susquehanna County, and NRCS. |
Chesapeake Bay Staff Meeting Wrap-Up
The 2017 Chesapeake Bay Program Conservation District and PA Agency Staff Meeting was held on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. Over one-hundred, seventy-five people attended the meeting to hear about current topics related to the Bay and to network with colleagues.
Presenters from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and various conservation districts, discussed topics such as best management practice (BMP) verification, the Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan, and PracticeKeeper software. A lot of discussion focused on the current farm inspections with an open forum session that encouraged questions on the topic. Three conservation districts also shared their experiences and lessons learned about the farm inspection. Maybe the most popular session, however, was one that provided a completely different perspective on some of the topics. During this session, three farmers from Bradford County talked about how they view the inspections and what district and DEP support would be helpful to them.
Photo at right: Rich Batiuk, Associate Director for Science, Analysis and Implementation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Chesapeake Bay Program Office, discusses best management practice verification on March 13, 2017.
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Weather Cancellations and Postponements
Due to the weather, the Intro to Conservation Planning course was cancelled. It will be rescheduled for a date that falls within the next three months. Participants should stay tuned for more information.
Also, the PACD North West Region Meeting was cancelled for March 15 and will also be rescheduled.
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Susquehanna County Conservation District Holds Municipal Workshop
Approximately 40 municipal officials attended the Dirt, Gravel & Low Volume Road Municipality Workshop on February 28, 2017 held by the Susquehanna County Conservation District. The workshop focused on the proper way to fill out Dirt and Gravel project applications. Attendees also learned about stream crossing permitsand the district was able to provide large wallmaps to each municipality. The maps showed potential and completed worksites. At the end of the agenda, participants had time to review specific project application questions from their municipality.
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Urban Agriculture Conservation Grants Available
The National Association of Conservation Districts has secured funding for another round of the Urban Ag Conservation Grant Initiative. This grant offers up to $50,000 of support for districts who are beginning some form of urban agriculture outreach, education, or technical assistance programs. Four conservation districts in Pennsylvania received this grant last year. It is mostly for staffing costs, with a small amount of equipment and project funds. Here is a link to the FAQ and application page.
The deadline for 2017 proposals is May 14, 2017.
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Reminder about Biosecurity Protocols from NRCS
PA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) issued a reminder about Biosecurity Protocols for visiting poultry operations during a potential Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak.
On March 5, 2017, the first confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak was found on a commercial flock located in Lincoln County, Tennessee. It was detected in one 10,000 flock barn but, as a precautionary step, all 73,500 birds at the complex were culled. Testing was started and continues on all flocks within a six-mile radius of the farm. It was confirmed as an H7 virus of wild bird linage. This event, along with a low pathogenic outbreak in Wisconsin, has resulted in veterinary authorities and industry groups in Pennsylvania reminding everyone to scrutinize their biosecurity procedures.
NRCS issued a Bulletin on March 8, 2017, reminding our employees and partners to practice additional biosecurity protocols when the potential for an avian influenza outbreak exists. This information is available for everyone to access on the PACD website and the USDA NRCS PA Bulletin Section. The key message is to always meet or exceed the poultry operation biosecurity protocols and avoid or limit site visits to poultry operations during times of heightened threat.
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NRCS Accepting Applications for Wetland Conservation Program
Pennsylvania conservation partners now have a new opportunity to work with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to protect, restore, and enhance the state's critical wetlands through conservation easements.
NRCS will offer technical and financial assistance to foster collaboration with states, local units of governments, non-governmental organizations, and American Indian tribes, interested in promoting wetland preservation. Offered through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP), this funding will enable partners to help landowners enroll wetlands into easements and adopt conservation practices that improve their function and condition.
This year, NRCS is encouraging partners to propose projects focused on improving water quality and habitat on working landscapes in high-priority areas such as the Chesapeake Bay. Interested entities should submit proposals to Hathaway Jones, Easement Program Manager, at hathaway.jones@pa.usda.gov by April 24, 2017.
WREP is part of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), offered through the 2014 Farm Bill. Visit the national ACEP webpage to learn more.
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Register Online for the Agency Planter & Drill Workshop
The Penn State Extension Agency Planter & Drill Workshop is geared towards conservation planners with little or no experience in setting up a planter. The goal is to help participants better understand the problems that farmers face in transitioning their equipment to no-till, and to help farmers find solutions to guarantee success in setting up their equipment.
The event will be held April 5, 2017, at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center in Pennsylvania Furnace, PA. Registration is now available online. The deadline to register is March 31, 2017.
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Conservation Districts in the News
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Upcoming Events
Agricultural Conservation Technical Training - Basic Level
March 20-24, 2017
Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County)
Spring 102/105 Technical Training - Basic
March 20-23, 2017
Ramada Conference Center, State College, PA
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PA Association of Conservation Districts | 717.238.7223 | pacd@pacd.org | www.pacd.org
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