Conservation District Programs
Pennsylvania Environmental Agricultural Conservation
Certification of Excellence -- PEACCE
Download the PEACCE brochure (PDF)
Sponsors:
PennAg Industries Association
Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
The Pennsylvania State University
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (PA)
Mission
To promote environmentally safe agricultural practices among livestock
and poultry producers, to encourage them to minimize risks to the environment
and in turn minimize personal liability, and to recognize those producers
who meet or exceed standards as established by the Pennsylvania Environmental
Agricultural Conservation Certification of Excellence.
The PEACCE program has four components as described below. The first
three components are required for producer certification and the fourth
component will provide a mechanism for continuing education and maintaining
certification.
Level I - The Environmental Awareness Course
The course addresses current issues, regulations and commons sense practices
in the following four areas.
1. Environmental Awareness, Stewardship and Sustainability
2. Manure and Nutrient Application
3. Odor, Gaseous Emissions and Nuisance Issues
4. Environmental Laws and Regulations in Agriculture
Participants of the Environmental Awareness course are quizzed on the
subject material. A satisfactory grade earns the participant a Certificate
of Completion.
For more information, or to schedule a training session please contact:
Robb Meinen (814) 865-2987, rmeinen@das.psu.edu
Senior Extension Associate
The Pennsylvania State University
303 Ag Science and Industries Bldg.
University Park, PA 16802
Level II - The On-Farm Assessment and Environmental Review
The On-Farm Assessment and Environmental Review (OFAER) Program is administered
with funds provided by America's Clean Water Foundation to Environmental
Management Solutions, LLC. This voluntary, confidential program conducts
on-farm assessments free-of-charge to producers with dairy, swine, poultry
or feedlot operations. Two assessors, trained within specific species,
will be assigned to your farm. The assessors will confirm that they
have no conflict of interests with the producer and will follow all
biosecurity requirements outlined by the producer. The assessment identifies
environmental strengths and offers sensible recommendations for improving
environmental challenges in the following five areas:
1. Overall Site Appearance and Management
2. Buildings, Sheds and Lot Management
3. Manure Storage Management and Effects of Odors
4. Mortality Management
5. Nutrient Management and Manure Application
For more information or to register for OFAER contact Robb Meinen or
the program's Northeast coordinator:
Bob Mikesell (814) 865-2987, rem9@psu.edu
Senior Extension Associate
The Pennsylvania State University
303 Ag Science and Industries Bldg.
University Park, PA 16802
Level III - The County Conservation District Evaluation Checklist
Completes Certification
Producers who complete the first two levels of the PEACCE program are
eligible to participate in this final assessment tool. Trained representatives
from the County Conservation District and Penn State Extension will
utilize a standard, comprehensive checklist to verify that the producer
has met PEACCE requirements. Other voluntary aspects may also be assessed.
The District technician will then present a report of their findings
and recommendations to the oversight board that will then approve or
deny certification.
Upon PEACCE certification the farm will receive a farm sign and be
publicly recognized for meeting and exceeding the environmental standards
of the program.
Level IV - Maintaining Certification
PEACCE farms must maintain certification by receiving continuing
education credits and by participating in a County Conservation District
Status Review. These steps are to be completed every three years.
The Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship Curriculum (LPES)
will be used as the continuing education tool and will be adapted to
specifically fit Pennsylvania issues. LPES is a national education program
that has been developed through the collaborative effort of 15 land-grant
universities, the EPA Ag Center and the USDA. The educational curriculum
covers such issues as:
1. Environmental Awareness
2. Land Application of Manure and Whole Farm Nutrient Planning
3. Outdoor Air Quality
4. Manure Storage Systems
5. Species Specific Dietary Strategies to Reduce Nutrient Excretion
The County Conservation District Status Review will assess the agriculture
operation to verify that PEACCE standards and recommended practices
are being maintained.
Benefits to Producers
- Farm sign for display and statewide, public recognition of completion
- Good public relations and community image
- Promotion of environmentally safe agriculture
- Minimize risk of nuisance issues and litigation
- Possible insurance benefit
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