ACT Training for Conservation District Staff

Agricultural Conservation Technical Training Application
Level II "Boot Camp" Session
May 19-23, 2008
Fort Indiantown Gap
Annville, PA (Lebanon County)
Please note the dates have changed. Due to Fort Indiantown Gap scheduling of military training exercises, we have been bumped from any April dates. (Please check your schedule. Those who have submitted applications will be notified of the date change to confirm they are still able to attend.)

The application deadline has passed.

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Sponsored by the State Conservation Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service, PA Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc., PA Department of Environmental Protection, and the Dauphin County Conservation District.

Target audience: Appropriate for those who attended a Basic training held at Fort Indiantown Gap in the years 2000-2007, those who attended one track of level II last year and would now like to attend the other, and those with 1 to 3 years of professional experience.

Agenda Topics: (Participants choose a track)

_____ Agronomy Track         
Agronomy Crops
Soil Quality
Agronomy Pasture/Intensive Grazing

_____ Engineering Track
Hydraulics
Engineering Use/ID of Soils
Construction Materials, Quality Assurance

_____If my choice is full I am willing to take the other Track at this time

General (provided to all): Conservation Planning and Ag Waste System Planning

Fees: Participant registration fees are waived. Funding is provided through a Special Leadership Development Project Grant, sponsored by the PA Department of Agriculture/State Conservation Commission.

Please type or print the following information:

Name: _________________________ Title: ___________________

Employer: ______________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________

City:______________________________ PA Zip:_____________

Phone: (____)_______________ Fax: (____)__________________

Work E-mail Address:____________________________________

Emergency Contact:________________ Phone:________________

Employment information:

Time on the job: ___6 mos. Or less ___6-12 mos. ___12-18 mos.

___18 mos. to 3 years

Current Position: ____ ACT ____ NRCS ____ Bay Tech.

____ Watershed Coor. ____ Nutrient Management Tech.

____ Other:____________________________

Formal Education: ____________________ Degree____________

_________________________ Degree_______________________

Have you attended Basic Boot Camp? Check one:
YES _____ Year 20_____ NO _____
Have you attended Level II Boot Camp Agronomy? Check one: YES _____ Year 20_____ NO _____
Have you attended Level II Boot Camp Engineering? Check one: YES _____ Year 20_____ NO _____

Other related education/training/professional experiences (Please describe).

Complimentary On-site Lodging and Meals can be provided:

1. Do you wish to utilize the lodging accommodations at Fort Indiantown Gap? ___Yes ____No

2. Do you have any special dietary needs/restrictions? Please explain:

_____________________________________________________

Return this application by March 14, 2008 to Lisa-Suhr@pacd.org

You will be notified by April 4, 2008 via e-mail, on the status of your application.

Information on Selected Topics to be Covered in Boot Camp
Level II
May 19-23, 2008

Quality Criteria Synopsis
The objective of this section is to provide an overview of all the resource concerns that need to be addressed when evaluating land units. The information collected forms the basis of data needed for the client to make resource concern decisions and encompasses the first 3 steps in the conservation planning process.

Agronomy-Soil Quality Synopsis
The objective of this section is to provide training on basic soil quality and soil health properties. Soil quality properties evaluated will include physical, chemical and biological. Data collected from this evaluation is used to assist clients in conserving and sustaining our natural resources and environment.

Grazing Synopsis
The Objective of this section is to define the resources needed to identify a pasture. Participants will be able to identify resource concerns associated with soil, water, air, plants and animals on a pasture. They will also be able to identify common grasses and do simple calculations, and procedure to be able to identify a managed pasture versus a non managed pasture.

Elementary Soil Engineering Synopsis
All structural measures and many land treatment measures for which we provide technical assistance involve the use of soil as a building material or supporting medium. This Lesson is designed to explain basic soil concepts that relate to engineering, present the engineering classification and description system, and present the procedure for performing site investigations.

These skills enable conservationists to assist in the application of complex practices and select appropriate locations.

Hydrology Synopsis
Basic concepts in hydraulics will be taught related to applications for conservation work. Focus will be on the analysis of closed conduit and open channel conveyance systems that can occur in typical agricultural settings. Appropriate computer programs for field office use will be taught.

The Human Side Of Quality Assurance Synopsis
This topic is important for Quality Assurance personnel demonstrating techniques, in dealing with contractors, landowners, and approving officials during construction of Ag. BMP's. Upon completion of the training, the trainee will have an understanding of Quality Assurance roles and responsibilities, good Quality Assurance techniques, and will be able to prevent problems and fix problems that occur. Some of the topics that will be covered are; field visits to farms with Ag. BMPs under construction, tour a quarry processing various aggregates, and tour of a concrete batch plant.

Conservation Planning Synopsis
The objective of this section is to provide an understanding of the first 6 steps of the conservation planning process. The first 6 steps encompass identifying problems, determining objectives, inventorying resources, analyzing resource data, formulating alternatives and evaluating alternatives. This overview will assist the class participants with data collection and analysis on the field trip and subsequent conservation plan that class groups will develop for presentations