PA CREP News and Updates

Fall 2023

PACD Accepting CREP Mini-Grant Applications from Conservation Districts

PACD is accepting mini-grant applications for 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 and/or CREP maintenance.

Applications will be accepted and approved on a rolling basis until funds are expended.

Project examples:

- Walk abouts/field days

- Farmer and landowner workshops

- Riparian buffer workshops

- Workshop series with several topics

- Developing educational materials like brochures, flyers, fact sheets, and billboards

- Hire interns to provide CREP outreach

Project Focus:

- CREP (general)

- New enrollment in CREP

- Re-enrollment in CREP

- Maintenance of CREP practices

- Riparian Buffers

We encourage working with USDA-NRCS, USDA-FSA, Pheasants Forever, PA Game Commission, Stroud Water Research Center, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, DEP, and other CREP partners to set up workshops and other projects! Be creative!

Click here for the application and guidelines.

CREP Mini-Grant Projects completed in 2023

During 2023, twelve mini-grant projects were completed through the CREP Outreach Program Office Mini-grant Program for Conservation Districts. Over $20,000 was awarded. Funding is available for the 2023-24 round.

Projects were completed in Adams, Blair, Butler, Clarion, Jefferson, Lebanon, Potter, Snyder, Sullivan, Tioga, Union, and Washington counties. Outcomes of the projects are below.

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

CREP Social Media Guide for Partners

PACD is currently running a campaign to raise awareness about the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to enroll more farmers and landowners, and we ask that you share the message with your network to amplify the campaign. We have compiled a guide with some suggested posts to share on your social media channels. You can also use the recommended posts as a guide and create your variations.

Click here for the CREP Social Media Guide.

Conservation Districts Complete Buffer Projects

Three conservation districts recently completed buffer projects using over $28,000 from PACD’s multi-functional riparian buffer sub-grant program.

Clarion County

Clarion Conservation District planted 2.5-acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffer along Pigeon Creek in Clarion County. The project cost $14,000.

Delaware County

Delaware County Conservation District planted 2.27-acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffer and live stake nursery at Smedley Park in Delaware County. The project cost $6,548.

Potter County

Potter County Conservation District planted 5-acres of multi-functional riparian forest buffer along Oswayo Creek on a farm in Potter County. The project cost $7,878.

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a grant from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation.

One conservation district recently completed a buffer project using almost $5,000 from PACD’s riparian buffer sub-grant program.

Warren County

Warren County Conservation District planted 1-acre of multi-functional riparian forest buffer on a farm in Glade Township, Warren County. The project cost a total of $13,433 with $4,958 funded by a sub-grant through PACD and $8,474 match from the Warren 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 Community Conservation Partnerships Program

Environmental Stewardship fund, under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation

Landowner Guide to Buffer Success

CREP partners updated the “Landowner Guide to Buffer Success” that was last published in 2007. The guide features key tasks by season, tips to improve outcomes, example photos, summaries of how riparian forest buffers help streams, and links to resources. Guides are still available.

Contact Holly Miller at hmiller@pacd.org to request copies and make arrangements for pick-up.

Thank you to all our CREP partners who contributed to the Landowner Guide to Buffer Success!

Are You a Member of the CREP Partners Listserve?

Members of the CREP Partners Listserve already know that it’s a convenient way to share and receive program information, but did you know it’s also an email discussion group? Listserve members can ask questions, seek opinions, and discuss current issues related to the program through the list. Interested partners can email Molly Burns at mburns@pacd.org to join.

Financial and other support for the CREP Outreach Program Office 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.

The Pennsylvania CREP program is administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency.

Learn more about the CREP Partnership

CREP Outreach Program Office | 717.238.7223 | info@creppa.org | www.creppa.org

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