From: Ashlynn Dunn – FWPM
Happy Halloween!
This past week NRCS staff attended the “Women for the Land Soil Health Learning Circle” at Hameau Farm in Belleville, PA organized by American Farmland Trust and their partners at PASA, PA NRCS, the PA Soil Health Coalition, and Penn State. This first event, in a 7-part series of virtual and in-person Learning Circles, fostered soil health discussion amongst 22 soil health professionals and farmers from across the state. Another field day is scheduled for Spring 2023 as well as a series of virtual discussions in the interim. If you or a farmer you know would be interested in attending upcoming events you can reach out to Amanda Cather with American Farmland Trust acather@farmland.org. The group is especially targeting outreach to farmers in Adams, Bedford, Berks, Chester, Centre, Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon and Lycoming Counties.
Hameau Farm in itself needs a moment to highlight. Farm owner Audrey Gay Rodgers is a third-generation Ayrshire breeder. In addition to an exceptional herd, Audrey has hosted an annual farm camp for girls ages 7-14 since 1996. Take a moment and visit the farm’s website, there’s a lot to learn about this wonderful woman-owned Pennsylvania farm: https://www.hameaufarm.com/
Pictured are PA NRCS’s very own Melissa Erdman, Jessica King, and Casey Stark. Melissa led a discussion in the classroom and in the field on the NRCS Soil Health Assessment and Pasture Condition Scorecard. Jessica and Casey acted as local representatives and stimulated great conversation on NRCS programs and science-driven practices and enhancements. Great job ladies!
|
From Denise Coleman
The 2022 Small Business Advantage Grant is now accepting applications for $1 million in available funds. This grant is offered through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The purpose of this grant is to provide small businesses in Pennsylvania with grant funds for projects that increase energy efficiency, reduce pollution, or protect our waterways. Many different types of small businesses, from manufacturing to retail to agriculture, may be eligible for funding under this program. Funding is awarded first-come, first served so interested applicants should act fast!
All program documents are available on the Small Business Advantage Grant Website; these documents include details about applicant and project eligibility and an overview of the application process. There is also a link on the website to the online application system used to apply for the grant. Additionally, there are tutorial videos available for everything from an overview of the program to using the Grant Calculator for specific project types.
Maximum grant awards will vary based on the attributes of a project. Projects will be eligible for more funding if they are located in Environmental Justice areas or reduce CO2e by at least 20 tons (as calculated by the Grant Calculator).
Please share this information with your clients, customers, or other audiences. If you or they have any questions, please direct them to the contact(s) identified in the Small Business Advantage Grant Program Guidelines.
By: Chantel Shambach, Soil Conservationist, Sunbury Field Office
On the morning of Tuesday, October 25, mist lay heavy on the landscape, a slight Autumn chill in the air, and a modest drizzle of precipitation fell amongst the landowner, students, and teachers, who came together to complete a common goal of planting a forested riparian buffer within our National Water Quality Incentive (NWQI) watershed.
|
One un-named tributary to the main stem of the Warrior Run in Northumberland County showed a need for better management practice implementation and a large portion of that stream was absent of any riparian buffer. We approached the landowner to gauge his management level and established practices. He was actively applying no-till and crop rotation but was not currently planting cover crops. After discussing the ability to apply for funding to establish a diverse cover crop into his crop rotation he agreed that he would be able to do that. We then asked what other concerns he may have, and if any involved the stream. He expressed his growing concern with the stream’s narrowness from years before due to sediment collection, which then turned to grass growth narrowing the channel. He was not initially receptive to the thought of a riparian buffer, but after knowing the Warrior Run Highschool would be interested in providing this opportunity to their students his demeaner changed to being fully invested.
|
The project extends a little over an acre of buffer and was broken into the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 to be planted. WNEP Newswatch 16 was contacted to extend an invitation for coverage, and they were more than happy to oblige. Around 30 High School students, their teachers, and the high school principal were present to plant 150 native riparian buffer species, provided by Keystone 10 Million Tree Foundation. The landowner was involved and interacting with the mass on his gratitude and optimistic outlook on the wildlife and pollinator aspects the buffer added to his property. In the end, the Fall 2022 trees were all planted, students were treated to hot cocoa and doughnuts, WNEP was thoroughly impressed and captured the moment like no one else could, the landowner overjoyed, and NRCS feeling a sense of accomplishment seeing a federal agency, producer, and local school district coming together to complete a successful project. We are hopeful, that for years to come, those students will be able to pass by and see their progress grow amongst the landscape. Stay tuned for the link to the aired segment through WNEP.
|
The following upcoming webinars are approved for 1 Forestry CEC each:
November 8th, 2022; Noon to 1:00pm; Pennsylvania Forest Seminar: Dormant-Season Invasive Plant Management in Forests; 1 Forestry CEC
December 13th, 2022; Noon to 1:00pm; Pennsylvania Forest Seminar: The History of Pennsylvania's Forests; 1 Forestry CEC
February 14th, 2022; Noon to 1:00pm; Pennsylvania Forest Seminar: Why Care About Trees; 1 Forestry CEC
Also see PA Events Calendar here.
November 1 - Sign up deadline for FY-2023 AMA, EQIP and RCPP18
November 1: “Addressing Bias and Stereotypes in Delivery of USDA Programs and Services”, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. AgLearn-https://aglearn.usda.gov/course/view.php?id=58606
November 1-3: Intro to Conservation Planning, Holiday Inn Harrisburg (Hershey Area), Grantville, PA
November 1-3: Connecting With Amish and Other Plain Communities Conference, Shipshewana IN, https://puext.in/AmishConference
November 4: CSP Renewals 2023-1 Selections Due (State Deadline)
November 7: Alley Cropping Field Day: Revitalizing a Hay Field to Grow Health & Heritagehttps://pasafarming.org/event/revitalizing-a-hay-field-to-grow-health-heritage/ 10am - 1pm, Many Streams Farm, 4157 Bridgeview Road, Stewartstown, PA 17363. NRCS may use the code "GATHER" to receive a 100% discount
November 8:Noon to 1:00pm;Pennsylvania Forest Seminar: Dormant-Season Invasive Plant Management in Forests; 1 Forestry CEC
November 9-10: PACD CREP Training, Register
November 11: Veterans Day, Federal Offices Closed
November 15: “EEO-101”, 1 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., AgLearn- https://aglearn.usda.gov/course/view.php?id=58109
November 16: “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and the New IQ”, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. AgLearn-https://aglearn.usda.gov/course/view.php?id=58168
November 24: Thanksgiving Day, Federal Offices Closed
December 13: Noon to 1:00pm; Pennsylvania Forest Seminar: The History of Pennsylvania's Forests; 1 Forestry CEC
December 16: CSP Renewals 2023-1 Obligations Due (State Deadline)
December 16: Vehicle Inspections Due
January 1: Application deadline for FY-2023 CSP Classic, AMA, EQIP and RCPP18
February 14: Noon to 1:00pm; Pennsylvania Forest Seminar: Why Care About Trees; 1 Forestry CEC
|
