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Front Page: Your Weekly News & Updates
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| New marketing toolkit, free workshop for agricultural staff, Farm Bill update, news from Indiana and McKean Counties, motivations matter, Trout in the Classroom workshop, PASA conference, Coldwater Heritage grants available, and SWCS conference call for presentaions. |
PACD Unveils New Marketing Materials Available to Conservation Districts!
Project Promotion Toolkit Webinar to Kick-off this New Resource
PACD is holding a free webinar on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, from 10-11 a.m. to introduce conservation districts to a series of templates developed in conjunction with Water Words That Work to help districts promote their projects. The webinar will go over the toolkit contents and how to use them. In addition, there will be a brief discussion on how to handle difficult situations with legislators.
This webinar is for all conservation district staff! The toolkit was developed with the intention that all district staff could use it to promote the good work of conservation districts even if there isn't a communications person on staff.
The toolkit covers an on-the-ground stream restoration project, a post-project tour, and a new staff person being hired.
Specifically, the toolkit includes each of the following items for each of the three topics mentioned above:
- Press release template
- Media advisory template
- Newsletter article template
- Social media template
These templates will be available for conservation districts to adapt and use to promote their projects throughout the year!
Information on how to access the webinar will be sent the week prior. Information on how to access the toolkit will be included in the webinar.
Click here to register by January 9, 2019. Questions? Contact PACD Director of Communication & Education Shannon Wehinger at [email protected].
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Attention Agricultural Staff: Free Workshop in Lancaster for Conservation Districts
Learn the tricks of the trade from the Chesapeake Bay watershed's most successful conservation field people. If you want rural landowners to say "yes" to voluntary conservation practices and easements, this course is for you.
PACD is co-hosting a free workshop on Thursday, December 13, 2018, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. The event will take place at the Farm and Home Center (Multipurpose Room), 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.
This workshop is designed for early-to-mid-career field outreach staff at soil conservation districts, land trusts-anyone working directly with landowners to help implement voluntary conservation practices on farm and forest lands. The training explores the demographics and decision-making of rural landowners and the perceived benefits of, and barriers to, conservation practices and easements. Field staff will learn how to cultivate and maintain stronger relationships with landowners to help them reach a decision to pursue conservation on their property. The workshop includes three 90-minute blocks of information and interactive learning, plus a working lunch. Workshop content is based in part on surveys and focus groups of conservation field staff identified by their peers as being especially effective at working with farm and forest landowners to implement voluntary conservation practices.
This training is co-hosted by the Land Trust Alliance, Pennsylvania Land Trust Association (PALTA), and the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts. We are grateful for the project support of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund's Technical Capacity Grants program, funded in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as funding from the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.
Click here for the event flyer or contact Jennifer Miller Herzog, Land Trust Alliance, [email protected], 406-580-6410. Registration is free, but required.
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The Washington Post: Lawmakers Reach Tentative Farm Bill Deal after Months-long Impasse
Key lawmakers said Wednesday they have reached a tentative deal on a massive farm bill, breaking a months-long impasse over legislation that doles out more than $400 billion in federal funds for farm subsidies, food stamps and conservation efforts. The senators declined to offer details of the emerging compromise, cautioning that it was not final and could change pending completion of cost analyses and legislative language. Nonetheless, both expressed optimism the legislation could pass before the conclusion of Congress's lame-duck session next month.
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Indiana Holds Grazing Field Day
As part of the Indiana County Conservation District's Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-grant project, the district hosted over 40 attendees at a field day and pasture walk. Attendees learned about conservation practices to implement on agricultural land.
The field day was hosted at the Dave Pounds Farm where rotational grazing, no-till renovation of pastures, and other best management practices were showcased. Speakers included J.B. Harrold, Southwest regional USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service grazing specialist, and Dr. Sjoerd Duiker,
Professor of Soil Management and Applied Soil Physics.
Photo caption: Landowner Dave Pounds explains how he uses his heavy use area to manage forage in his rotational grazing system at the October Southwest Project Grass Field Day and Pasture Walk hosted by the Indiana County Conservation District. Photo provided by Indiana County Conservation District.
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.
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McKean County Conservation District Holds Streamside Stewardship Workshop
McKean County Conservation District held a Streamside Stewardship Workshop on October 20, 2018. The workshop was for landowners with a stream on their property. Participants learned about practices and tools to improve stream riparian areas and reduce non-point source pollution in local streams. Topics included tree planting tips for successful riparian buffers, identifying invasive plants, and a demonstration of practices for healthy streams.
Photo caption: Streamside Stewardship Workshop participants view an agricultural stream crossing and adjacent streambank stabilization structures on the tour at S & D Farms. These best management practices significantly reduce pollution from sedimentation in the watershed and protect stream banks. Photo provided by McKean County Conservation District.
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.
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Motivations Matter in Sustainable Agriculture Decisions
Written by Shelly Dehoff on behalf of National Wildlife Federation's Cover Crop Champions Program
Farming is a challenging profession. Each year there is an ever-growing list of unknowns and risks. "100 year" weather events are happening more often than ever before, weed pressure is mounting, and soil is running off of fields and into the streets. So what can farmers do?
Farmers who intentionally manage their natural resources are able to pass the farm to the next generation in better condition than before. Many are turning to sustainable agriculture such as cover crops, no till, and rotational grazing to protect their farms from ever-changing conditions. To be prepared for the future means fortifying their soils now.
Photo caption: Tillage radishes produce a large taproot that will penetrate compacted soils to increase aeration and infiltration. The taproot also absorbs and retains macro- and micronutrients that otherwise might leach, making those nutrients available for spring planted crops. Photo provided by Shelly Dehoff.
Click here to read the entire article.
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Free Trout in the Classroom Training in Chester County
When: Tuesday, February 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Stroud Water Research Center, 970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311
This workshop will be an introduction to Trout in Classroom for new teachers and program partners and a refresher for those that have been involved with the program in the past. Trout in the Classroom is an environmental education program from Trout Unlimited in which students in grades 3-12:
- Raise trout from eggs to fry.
- Monitor tank water quality.
- Engage in stream habitat study.
- Learn to appreciate water resources.
- Begin to foster a conservation ethic.
- Grow to understand ecosystems.
Most programs end the year by releasing their trout in a state-approved stream near the school or within a nearby watershed.
Substitute teacher stipends are available for the first 10 teachers that indicate on the registration form that they need this assistance for their school to allow them to attend.
Click here for more information or to register.
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Pennsylvania Sustainable Agriculture Conference Coming to Lancaster in February
The PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) will host the 28th Pennsylvania Sustainable Agriculture Conference in Lancaster February 6-9.
Each February, thousands of farmers, homesteaders, educators, and other food system professionals will gather in Lancaster for four days of intensive learning on more than 160 food and farming topics.
No matter your experience level or agricultural interests, you'll be able to pack your schedule with valuable sessions that help hone your craft and advance your cause. Our conference also features networking and social events, a mini-conference for kids, and an expansive trade show that includes approximately 100 vendors.
People passionate about sustainable agriculture and healthy food systems from more than 30 states and six countries have gathered at our hallmark event since 1992, leaving inspired and energized for the season to come.
The deadline for early-bird prize drawings and other discounts is December 21. Click here for more information.
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2019 Coldwater Heritage Partnership 15th Anniversary Grant Round - Applications Due December 15, 2018
Under the Clean Water Act, states categorize water bodies for special protection. Coldwater Heritage Partnership (CHP) Grants are intended to protect the Commonwealth's best streams. Grants will be accepted starting September 1, 2018 for High Quality and Exceptional Value watershed planning and implementation projects. Grant announcements are expected in early 2019. To learn if your project is eligible, visit http://www.coldwaterheritage.org.
Grant round closes December 15, 2018 (received or post-marked by). CHP applicants are strongly urged to contact Ashley Wilmont, Program Director, prior to application submission. Please contact Ashley at [email protected] or 814-359-5233.
Click here to read the entire announcement.
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74th SWCS International Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, PA - Call for Presentations Open Now to January 9, 2019
The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is seeking oral presentations, poster presentations, symposia, and workshops for the 74th SWCS International Annual Conference, taking place July 28-31, 2019 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Submission Deadline: January 9, 2019
Poster Submission Deadline: March 6, 2019
(Poster submissions received after January 9, 2019 will not appear in the Preliminary Program.)
This year's conference features four submission tracks:
* Adapting Landscapes to Climate Change
* Engaging the Private Sector in Conservation
* Watershed Conservation to Unify Urban and Rural Communities
* 2019 General Conference Theme - Bridging the Divide: Uniting Rural and Urban Landscapes for Conservation
o Adaptive Management of Conservation Efforts
o Conservation Economics and Policy
o Conservation Models, Tools, and Technologies
o Conservation in Organic, Specialty, Small-Scale, or Urban Agriculture
o Outreach, Education, and Community Engagement
o Social Sciences Informing Conservation
o Soil Health Resources, Indicators, Assessment, and Management
o Water Resource Assessment and Management
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Conservation Districts in the News
Blair:
Clearfield, Indiana & Somerset:
Crawford:
Erie:
Monroe:
Washington:
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Upcoming Events
January 30-31, 2019
PACD/SCC Winter Meeting
Toftrees Golf Resort, State College, PA
February 27-28, 2019
Building for Tomorrow 2019 Staff Conference
Genetti Hotel, Williamsport, PA
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