Front Page Newsletter September 19, 2022

Now Accepting Applications for a New Round of CREP Mini-grants

PACD is now 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 are due November 18, 2022.

The guidelines and application for the new grant round are posted here. Questions should be directed to Holly Miller at hmiller@pacd.org.

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.

Ten CREP Projects Conducted by Conservation Districts

PACD’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) funded ten conservation district projects in the 2021-22 round.

The outcomes were impressive:

· 447 Farmers and landowners reached

· 5 Field Days held

· 16 Workshops held

· 27 one-on-one visits held

(Top photo:) Blair County Conservation District Bramble Workshop, (center photo) Adams County Conservation District Tree Planting Maintenance Workshop, and (bottom photo) Westmoreland Conservation District Ag Stewardship Workshop.

Rita Graham facilitates a panel discussion on district-partner relations on September 14, 2022. (Pictured: Joe Buczynski, PA Department of Environmental Protection North East Regional Office Acting Regional Director; Dan Ludwig, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State Resource Conservationist; Lisa Meade, PA Department of Environmental Protection North Central Regional Office Local Government Liaison; Laurel Rush, State Conservation Commission Nutrient Management Program Regional Coordinator; Kate Beats, PA Department of Environmental Protection Chesapeake Bay Program Specialist; and Bobby Hughes, Eastern Pennsylvania Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation Executive Director.)

Management Summit Concludes

The 2022 Management Summit was held September 13-15, 2022, at the Wyndham Garden State College. The Tuesday Pre-Con was attended by 30 new assistant managers as well as partner staff. The total Summit attendance was 58. Summit attendees participated in group discussions on strengths-based management, partner relations, and program cost assessment and budgeting.

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.

Meet PACD's New Staff Member, Brian Cooper

Brian Cooper was recently hired as PACD’s Bookkeeper/Administrative Assistant. Brian resides with his wife Susan in Lower Paxton Township, Harrisburg. He enjoys hunting, golfing, and spending time with his family. He served in the US Army and has retired from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. His email address is bcooper@pacd.org.

Brian Cooper with his wife Susan and grandson Grayson.

ICCD Legislative Tour attendees learning about the district’s demonstration hop farm project. Photo provided by Emil Bove.

Indiana County Conservation District Holds Bus Tour

On August 22, 2022, the Indiana County Conservation District (ICCD) held a legislative bus tour. The thirty attendees visited a Community Garden Project, two Low Volume Road Projects, and an acid mine drainage project site. PACD Second Vice President Emil Bove (Westmoreland) represented PACD at the event.

Susquehanna County Conservation District Legislative Tour

Forty-eight individuals attended a legislative tour hosted by Susquehanna County Conservation District on September 8, 2022. Participating dignitaries included: Agricultural Secretary Russell Redding, Tom Williams with Senator Lisa Baker’s office, Susquehanna County Commissioner Elizabeth Arnold, Susquehanna County Commissioner Judith Herschel, and Representative Jonathan Fritz. PACD North East Region Director Chuck Gould (Monroe County Conservation District) represented PACD at the event.

Tour stops included Aldrich Homestead, a seventh-generation innovative dairy farm; Harford Farm and Flower Market, a Certified organic vegetable farm with 49 acres of farmland specializing in organic produce and flowers; and a dirt and gravel road project site.

Harford Farm & Flower Market Owner and Operator Geoff Smeltzer (left) with PA Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell C. Redding during the tour. Photo courtesy of the PA Department of Agriculture.

NACD 2023 Annual Meeting to be held in New Orleans

Get ready to register for the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) 2023 Annual Meeting! Stay tuned for information about upcoming registration, tours, speakers, and more. Hosted in partnership with the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts, the 2023 Annual Meeting will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana from February 11-15, 2023, at the New Orleans Marriott. NACD's Annual Meeting is the biggest event of the year and brings together hundreds of conservation leaders from across the nation!

New Video on How PA's Beverage Industry Benefits from Forested Ecosystems

Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation produced a new video that highlights the benefits of forested ecosystems on water quality, and how that in turn benefits PA's ever-growing craft beverage industry (beer, wine, cider, soda, etc.). Click here to watch the video.