News & Notes May2007

Agricultural Conservation Series Provides Both Classroom and Field Instruction

Springtime brings with it an annual Agricultural Conservation
Technical (ACT) training series that is facilitated by the PACD and
known as “Boot Camp”. Identified by the Conservation Partnership
as a priority, trainings such as Boot Camp (two 5-consecutive
day sessions currently held at Fort Indiantown Gap), Conservation
Planning and the Agronomy sessions target Conservation District
and NRCS staff during their first three years of employment.
The trainings, sponsored by the State Conservation Commission,
Natural Resources Conservation Service, PA Department of
Agriculture, Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts,
Inc., PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, PA
Department of Environmental Protection, and the Dauphin County
Conservation District, provide an opportunity for attendees to gain
essential knowledge about a variety of agriculture-related topics.
These trainings include both classroom and field instruction, utilizing
teaching by experienced NRCS instructors and hands-on farm
experiences as its primary learning tools.

Now in its eighth year, the typical process for completion of the Boot Camp series is Level I in the first year, Level II (Agronomy or Engineering track) in the second year, and Level II (Agronomy or Engineering track) in the third year of employment.

“The ACT series of courses offers individuals who have limited
experience, especially in the field and on farms, an opportunity to
obtain hands-on agronomy information and be exposed to a broad
perspective on the role that agronomy plays in conservation.” ACT
Instructor, Joel Myers (NRCS retired).

Level I is geared toward new employees and provides a forum for exploring the topics of Conservation, Crops and Grazing, Soil Resources, Hydrology, Planning, Laws and Regulations, Working with Landowners and Farmers, Construction Materials, and Quality Assurance.

“[Level 1] was packed full with important information and
field exercises. There was a perfect balance between presenting
several topics while not overwhelming us with details. While we
did not complete the week as experts in any one area, we left with
knowledge about many topics and awareness of current issues. It is
now up to us to use what we have learned and the contacts we have
made to make a difference in the greater cause of agricultural conservation.” Lynette Gelsinger, Lebanon Co. Conservation District

The Level II Agronomy and Level II Engineering sessions are open to employees who have completed Level I. These sessions include the topics of Soil Quality, Soil Engineering, Pasture Management, Basic Hydrology Concepts, The Human Side of Quality Assurance, and Conservation Planning.

“I enjoyed ‘Boot Camp’. Participants were provided with a
wide range of technical topics mixed with real-life, in field exercises.
One tends to ‘tune out’ after too much technical jargon, so the
field exercises were great at allowing you to solidify what you just
learned. Also, I liked the fact that we didn’t always go to textbook
farms. It was interesting to see what my classmates recommended
on the farms that could use improvement. The instructors were very
knowledgeable in their respective areas and, lastly, who could pass
up a week at Fort Indiantown Gap??!!” Greg Bonsall, Union Co.
Conservation District

Two other Agronomy-related trainings are being offered at the Penn State Agronomy Research Farm at Rock Springs. First, on May 29-31, a Principals and Practices of Agronomy session will be held. This session is designed for field personnel who lack an agronomy background. This course will offer sessions about common forage and field crops along with information about planters, drills, and other no-till crop equipment. Tillage machinery demonstrations are scheduled. On June 1, the Tillage Management School will offer an advanced course on the latest developments in tillage systems and soil management practices.

The summer Conservation Planning training is scheduled for June 12-13 at Rock Springs. This session is available to persons who have an interest in writing conservation plans. Please note that attendance at both Boot Camps I & II is a prerequisite to the Conservation Planning Training.

PACD is currently accepting applications for the Agronomy and the Conservation Planning training sessions. Information is available on the PACD website at www.pacd.org/events/default.htm.

Farmers Working to Protect Chesapeake
Bay Recognized

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.
(PACD) is pleased to announce that the Wagners of Hummelstown
and Ron and Catherine Kittle of Troy, have been named as this year’s selection to receive the 2007 Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award. PACD will recognize these award recipients on July 17, 2007 in Scranton, PA during its Annual Awards Program luncheon. To further acknowledge their accomplishments, the landowners will receive certificates and large “Clean Water Farm Award” signs to erect on their property.

The Clean Water Farm Award, initiated in 1986, recognizes farmers within Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, whose exemplary farm management practices result in improved local and downstream water quality. The farms’ conservation plans address issues that help control potential pollutants such as eroded soil, pesticides, and fertilizers from entering streams or groundwater supplies.

Recipients of the annual Clean Water Farm Award (CWFA) are
nominated by county conservation districts. The CWFA program is
coordinated by the PACD, through its Chesapeake Bay Education
Office grant, and co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Chesapeake Bay Program and the
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. PACD’s Chesapeake Bay
Education Office conducts numerous activities promoting the theme,
“We All Live Downstream.” For more information, visit the PACD
website at: www.pacd.org/resources/cb/default.htm.

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