News & Notes June 2005

PACD Still Accepting Applications for Mini-Grants

PACD is currently accepting applications for the 2005-06 Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Educational Mini-Grants and Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-Grants. Districts continue to provide positive feedback to PACD about the ease of the mini-grant program application and reporting processes.

This is an opportunity for districts to secure funding for projects that address their educational priorities. All Pennsylvania conservation districts are eligible to apply for the nonpoint source pollution prevention grants; only Bay counties are eligible for the Chesapeake Bay grants. The application deadline for both grants is June 15, 2005.

Districts have rated the mini-grant program as one of the most valuable services that PACD provides to districts because it places money where it can do the most good-at the local level. And, because grants support local efforts, mini-project success stories are numerous. Two previously funded projects are highlighted below:

Professor from South Dakota Speaks at Adams County No-Till Workshop

Dr. Dwayne Beck, agriculture professor at South Dakota State University, was the keynote speaker at the No-Till Workshop on March 3, 2005 in Gettysburg. Adams County Conservation District (ACCD) received a Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Educational Mini-Grant (funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Chesapeake Bay Program) to help cover the cost of the workshop.

ACCD's Agricultural Conservation Technician Brian Sneeringer had heard from farmers that they would like to do more no-till but aren't convinced they can because of heavy soils in Adams County. Motivated by this information, Brian and his colleagues submitted an educational mini-grant application to fund a workshop. Brian worked with Joel Myers, the state agronomist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), to develop a no-till workshop agenda that featured national, regional, and local experts.

Eighty-five farmers, mainly from Adams and neighboring counties, attended the workshop which far exceeded Sneeringer's expectations. Several NRCS and Penn State Cooperative Extension personnel also attended the workshop.

The day long session featured Dr. Beck's "No-Tilling in the Mud" presentation. Dr. Beck addressed the myth that no-till doesn't work in heavy, wet, clay soils. If no-till works in South Dakota where the soil is 80 percent clay, he explained, it can work in Adams County where the clay content is 20-25 percent. Dr. Beck emphasized the importance of soil organic matter, in particular carbon, to the success of a crop. Vy Trinh, ACCD watershed specialist spoke about the district's low rent program for the aerway and rotary harrow, two implements that can aid a no-till system. Steve Groff of Cedar Meadow Farm explained how cover crops help make no-till work on his farm. Joel Myers then led a discussion on equipment and accessories that make planters work better for no-till. Afterwards, eight Adams County farmers who attended the national no-till conference in January led a panel discussion. Finally, a question and answer session concluded the event.

Brian Sneeringer noted the positive outcomes of the workshop. "The farmers who attended left convinced that they shouldn't plow. So far I've heard from five farmers in the county who have modified their planters with no-till attachments. I spoke to three of those five so far and they are amazed and happy with their no-till results," he said. The workshop was successful in attendance and creating enthusiasm for no-till in Adams County. The implications for reducing nonpoint source pollution entering tributaries and eventually the Chesapeake Bay are far reaching. For more information contact the Adams County Conservation District, (717) 334-0636 or email lmartick@adamscounty.us.

Rain Barrel Workshops:
How Homeowners Can Help Control Nonpoint Source Pollution

During recent years, several conservation districts have hosted rain barrel workshops with funding provided by the Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Educational Mini-Grant Program. Last year the Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD), for instance, held three workshops featuring a PowerPoint presentation on non-point source pollution and water conservation. The District was interested in hosting the workshops because rising development in Snyder County is creating nonpoint source water pollution caused by increased stormwater runoff. The goal of the workshop sessions was to inform local residents on ways to control stormwater runoff and conserve groundwater.

Not only did the workshop inform attendees about stormwater runoff, it also provided them with a means of doing their part to reduce runoff. Rain barrels, constructed by district staff, were distributed to attendees. "The majority of attendees are already using them," said Jim Roush, SCCD watershed specialist. For more information contact the Snyder County Conservation District, (570) 837-0007 or email snyder@pa.nacdnet.org.

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