Conservation District

Greene County's Reinvestment in Agriculture: Cost Share Enhancement Program (GRACE) is a conservation based program designed to enhance soil health within the agriculture community. Active farmers, farmers that rent or new farmers with animals may apply for livestock conservation fencing, lime, water development projects and fertilizer. The program also funds varios forestry practices, such as invasive species control.

The GRACE program provides guidance to new and existing farmers through technical assistance and cost share to help promote soil and water conservation practices that will improve pastures and soil health that lead to better animal production. When practices are implemented correctly value and profit will be added to the land.

"It is the goal of the district to offer a program that is easy to navigate and has a quick turnaround," Lisa Snider, district manager said. "Yes, there are a few hoops to jump through, but those hoops are beneficial in the long run to the operator."

Requirements such as becoming a cooperator with the District; registering with Farm Service Agency and completing conservation plans and manure management plans after an application only lead to further funding and a sound farming blueprint. Applicants for lime or fertilizer projects will also need to obtain a soil test kit from Penn State Extension that the Conservation District staff will administer during a farm visit. Applications must be submitted by August 31 to be considered for funding.

Funds for the program are a direct result of PA Act 13 that the district receives annually to foster conservation efforts within Greene County. Snider emphasized, "these funds are obtained through an 'impact' fee and the district believes that the money received should be used on the ground where the impacts were made."

Click image to access the GRACE brochure.

Click here to download an application for the GRACE program
Click here to download the Conservation District Cooperator Agreement

The Great Plains no-Till Drill is a 7-foot end wheel drill. A minimum of a 55hp tractor is required. The drill does not have a fertilizer box, and therefore, NO Fertilizer should be used in the box. The drill has 2 standard seed boxes and a native grass seed box. The User/Operator must be a Pennsylvania licensed driver and submit proof along with auto insurance documents. Each operator is responsible for pick-up and return of the drill to Frosty Springs Farm on Garards Fort Road, Greene County, PA. You will need your own hitch pin. NO INTERSTATE HAULING.

Click Image to download a rental agreement.

Applying lime to pasture and hay fields is one of the simplest management decisions to make.  Increasing soil pH can increase forage yields and palatability, with relatively low cost to the producer.

The Conservation District offers two lime spreaders for rent. The 4½-ton spreader has a large capacity and is ideal for larger meadows where steep slopes are not as much of a concern. Its large capacity means that a farmer can spend more time spreading lime and less time loading lime. The District's 2-ton spreader is more nimble and is outfitted with surge brakes. This makes it ideal for small pastures and areas where steep slopes are a concern. Offering these two different spreaders gives farmers more options to manage their forage with lime.

Click image to download a rental agreement.

The Manure Management Program is regulated by Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and requires Pennsylvania landowners that apply manure or agricultural wastewater, no matter the size, to have and implement a written manure management plan. This includes manure that is applied mechanically or manure that is directly applied by animals on pastures and in Animal Concentration Areas (ACA). So, farms that do not mechanically apply manure, but have pastures, do still need a written manure management plan. Uset the following resoruces or contact the Conservation District for assistance with writing your plan.

Pennsylvania DEP has developed a workbook (click image to access a PDF) and an instructional guide that allows farmers to write their own manure management plan
PAOneStop is an online farm mapping and Erosion & Sediment (E&S) Planning System developed by Penn State Extension. Farmers can use this system to generate farm maps and develop E&S plans.


 

Commonly known as Act 38, Pennsylvania's nutrient management law regulates land application of manure in order to control non-point source pollution as well as setting standards for defining Concentrated Animal Operations (high animal density operations) and regulating the import / export and hauling of manure.

Nutrient Management Plans are one requirement of the Nutrient Management Act. Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs) are regulated under this act. CAOs are defined as operations where the animal density is greater than 2,000 lbs live animal weight per acre of land suitable for manure application. The State Conservation Commission (SCC) is the primary authority to develop and implement regulations

A Nutrient Management Plan needs to be developed by a certified nutrient management planner. Individuals can become certified to write their own plans as well. To locate a certified nutrient management planner, visit this page on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's web site and search for Greene County.

Full text of Act 38 of 2005
Regulations under Act 38

The Conservation District works cooperatively with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to design conservation plans, grazing plans and resource management systems that work for you and your farm. The District’s role in conservation planning is to conduct a site assessment to discuss the landowner’s goals, assess resource needs and to visually inspect the operation. By improving soil health, managing nutrients, reducing soil erosion, creating buffers, and treating barnyard runoff water, we improve the water quality of our local streams.

To get started with conservation planning, 
Additional information may be found on the USDA/NRCS website and the PA Department of Agriculture website.

Southwest Project Grass is a cooperative committee made up local farmers and County Conservation Districts that works to increase grassland productivity while minimizing environmental impacts of farming.

Click image to visit the Project Grass website.

The Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Program was created through Act 55 of 2007. It allows farmers and businesses to earn tax credits in exchange for planning, sponsoring or implementing best management practices (BMP) on agricultural operations that will enhance farm production and protect natural resources. Farmers can also receive tax credits for conversion or upgrading to a no-till cropping system.

Click image to visit the REAP website.

Agricultural Security Area (ASA) protection strengthens and defends agricultural communities. Local farm landowners work together to protect their communities from non-agricultural development.

Greene County has a total of 83 landowners with 11,104.53 acres enrolled/approved in the ASA program, they include the following:
Cumberland Township — 908.23 acres enrolled with 6 landowners
Center Township — 1,691.4 acres enrolled with 7 landowners
Franklin Township – 803.76 acres enrolled with 5 landowners
Greene Township — 1,189.14 acres enrolled with 5 landowners
Jefferson Township — 429.63 acres enrolled with 4 landowners
Morgan Township — 1,604.66 acres enrolled with 8 landowners
Washington Township — 2,364.27 acres enrolled with 40 landowners
Wayne Township — 2,122.9 acres enrolled with 8 landowners

To join an existing ASA or petition your township to create a new ASA, use this Registration form.

The Greene County Farmland Preservation Program is dedicated to protecting valuable farm acreage from development. The Farmland Preservation Board of Directors accepts all applications meeting the minimum requirements for inclusion in the county’s agricultural easement program. The minimum requirements are:

• Landowners must be enrolled in an approved agricultural security area (ASA) consisting of at least 500 acres;
• Have at least 50 contiguous acres;
• Have at least 50 percent of the soils on the property in soil capability classes I-IV (as defined by the Web Soil Survey) and be available for agricultural production;
• Contain the greater of 50 percent or 10 acres of harvested cropland, pasture or grazing land.
• The landowner must own their surface mineral rights.

Each application will be scored using the approved Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) scoring system. The LESA system is used to rank the easement applications by evaluating soil and location factors for the property. Farms are then ranked according to their LESA score to be purchased in order as funds allow.

Click the image for a Landowner Application Package.

Activities involving moving earth are regulated under the Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 102.

Visit the Department of Environmental Protection's eLibrary to access permit information.
Clean Water Program-Chapter 102-NPDES PAG02 Permit Applications
Oil and Gas-ESCGP-3 Permit Applications

Activities involving encroachment in streams & wetlands are regulated under the Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 105.

Visit the Department of Environmental Protection's eLibrary to access permit information.
Waterways Engineering and Wetlands - Chapter 105 General Permit Applications

A watershed is a geographic area through which water moves toward a common water body. A lot of things come together to deterimine a watershed what a watershed looks like. These includie the unique geography and topography of an area, networks of streams, rivers and groundwater aquifers, and the land use decisions of individual property owners.

Click image for more information on watersheds from the Environmental Protection Agency.
 

Monitoring water quality in our streams is an important part of protecting and improving Greene County's water resources.

Click image to download the most recent Water Quality and Assessment Report from Pennsylvania DEP.

We all need clean water for drinking, cooking and sanitation. We need to work together at protecting our source waters, both above and below the ground.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) offers resources for users of public drinking water utilities and private wells and springs.

Click image for information about DEP's Sourcewater Assessment and Protection program.

Increased runoff from urban areas, roadways and other development are a major source of water pollution that can only be controlled by effective stormwater management. The biggest problems are sediment and nutrient polluted runoff.

The Environmental Protection Agency offers a very good explanation of the issues related to polluted runoff, or non-point source pollution.

Click image for a guide to managing stormwater at home.

Streams are a wonderful and valuable resource for a landowner but require periodic maintenance. Two of the most common maintenance needs are gravel bar removal and debris removal.

Coarse woody debris from fallen trees and branches is actually a good thing for streams and the species that live in them. It provides habitat complexity that fish and other creatures need as well as a source of valuable nutrients as it breaks down. To learn more about stream habitats and how they can be improved, check out the guide and assistance program from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) below. Like anything, though, too much of a good thing can be troublesome. Logjams and stream blockages can cause flooding and increased streambank erosion.

Gravel bars are large deposits of rock and sand that form in streams because of upstream erosion. They can change the course of streams and cut away at streambanks. Landowners can remove gravel bars as part of their stream maintenance, although in some cases, permits are required for these activities. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provides good information for landowners on their stream maintenance web page.

DEP Guide to Stream Maintenance
PFBC Guide to Stream Habitat Improvement
PFBC Technical Assistance Program

Ponds can be a useful and beautiful addition to a farm or other property; providing recreation, a water source and other benefits.

• Penn State Extension offers a wealth of information on managing and constructing ponds.
• Pond and dam construction projects are regulated by Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Dam Safety.
  • Dam Permit Fact Sheet
  • Dam Permit Application
  • Dam Permit Application Instructions

 

The Greene County Conservation District has established a Water Quality Mini-grant Program to provide full or partial funding, up to $5000, to projects that address water quality improvement through implementation/installation of best management practices (BMP). 

Exact awards are based on funds expended by the applicant, up to the maximum award. Up to 5 grant awards may be given in one year at the discretion of the Conservation District Board of Directors (The Board) any undisbursed grants will remain with the Conservation District to be used at its discretion. Funds will not roll over to the next year. Funds allocated to this program are non-tax dollar funds.

Click image to download an application for the Water Quality Mini-grant.

NRCS is an agency committed to “helping people help the land”—our mission is to provide resources to farmers and landowners to aid them with conservation. Ensuring productive lands in harmony with a healthy environment is our priority.

Click image to visit agency website.

Contact:

Phil Evans 
Lamont Furnace Service Center
1359 Connellsville Road, Suite 10
Lamont Furnace, PA 15456
724-437-7971 ext 101
Phil.Evans@pa.usda.gov 

Our mission is to deliver timely, effective programs and services to America’s farmers and ranchers to support them in
sustaining our Nation’s vibrant agricultural economy, as well as provide first-rate support for domestic and international
food aid efforts.

Click image to visit agency website.

Contact:

Michal E. Roup
County Executive Director
Washington/Greene County 
Farm Service Agency
50 Old Hickory Ridge Road
Washington, PA  15301
Phone:  724-705-8127 or
  724-222-3060 ext. 2
Fax:  855-847-3602
michal.roup@pa.usda.gov

 

To be responsive to conservation districts so they can conserve natural resources for our future.

Click image to visit agency website.

Contact:
Brenda Shambaugh
Executive Director
Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts
5925 Stevenson Avenue, Suite A
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Telephone: 717-238-PACD (7223)
Fax: 717-238-7201
bshambaugh@pacd.org

The Department of Environmental Protection's mission is to protect Pennsylvania's air, land and water from pollution and to provide for the health and safety of its citizens through a cleaner environment.

Click image to visit agency website.

Contact:
DEP Southwest Regional Office 
400 Waterfront Drive 
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 
Telephone 412-442-4000

The Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission (SCC) is a 14-member commission that has a primary mission to ensure the wise use of Pennsylvania's natural resources and to protect and restore the natural environment through the conservation of its soil water and related resources.


Click image to visit agency website.

Contact:
Karl Brown
Executive Secretary
Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission
2301 North Cameron Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-787-8821

The mission of the Pennsylvania Game Commission is: To manage and protect wildlife. To manage wildlife habitat. To inform and educate the public on wildlife and safe hunting practices.




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Contact:

Steve Leiendecker
SW Regional Field Office
4820 Route 711
Bolivar, PA 15923
Bus: (724) 238-9523
sleiendeck@pa.gov 

The mission of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is: to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth's aquatic resources and provide fishing and boating opportunities.




Click image to visit agency website.

Contact:

Eric Davis
236 Lake Road 
Somerset, PA 15501-1644
Bus: (814) 445-8974
erdavis@state.pa.us 

The DCNR Bureau of Forestry’s mission is to ensure the long-term health, viability, and productivity of the commonwealth’s forests and to conserve native wild plants.



Click image to visit agency website.

Contact:

Russell Gibbs, Service Forester
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bureau of Forestry, Forbes State Forest
10 Nickman Plaza
Lemont Furnace, PA 15456
Bus: (724) 437-7983
rugibbs@pa.gov 
 

Penn State Extension is a modern educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities.

Click image to visit agency website.

Contact:
Tom Beresnyak 
Client Relationship Manager
Penn State Extension
26 West High Street, Room 1
Waynesburg, PA 15370-1324
814-409-7976
teb119@psu.edu