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Applications being Accepted for 2025 Boot Camp Training

The application period for Agricultural Conservation Technical Training (“Boot Camp” Basic Level and Level II) is now open. Conservation district staff are encouraged to take advantage of these free training opportunities, including classroom learning and experience in the field.

The Basic level will be held once, and the Level II training will be held twice if needed. You may apply for one training only. Do not apply for both Basic and Level II this spring.

March 11, March 18, and April 4, 2025 (virtual)        

March 24-27, 2025 (in-person)              

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Basic Level

Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.  

Union County Government Center, Lewisburg, PA

March 21 and March 28, 2025 (virtual)  

April 7-11, 2025 (in-person)                  

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II 

Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.  

Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County) and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA                                      

March 21 and March 28, 2025 (virtual)  

April 28-May 2, 2025 (in-person)           

Agricultural Conservation Technical “Boot Camp” Training – Level II (IF NEEDED)      

Both in-person and all virtual training sessions are required to complete the course.  

Keystone Conference Center, Ft. Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA (Lebanon County) and the USDA NRCS State Office, Harrisburg, PA

The deadline to apply is January 29, 2025.

Email Shannon Wehinger at swehinger@pacd.org with questions.

Photo caption: Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the State Conservation Commission sponsor the training, and PACD coordinates with these partners.

Leadership Development Updates

January Board Development Video: Policy Audits & Employment Law

New for 2025, Leadership Development will post a monthly series of short videos to share information, promote programming, and encourage discussion on board development topics. The January installment of this series includes an overview of the importance of employee policy audits, review reminders about our online sample policy catalog and some of the focus topics for the upcoming Employment Law Seminars scheduled for February.

Register Now for 2025 Staff Training Initiative

All district personnel are encouraged to register for the upcoming 2025 Staff Training Initiative, which runs online and in-person from January through March. This year's program features a variety of topics, with a focus on communications and admin roles. Webinar topics include the PA Agricultural Ombudsman Program and Understanding PA's Legislative Process, and interactive roundtables for sharing admin and budgeting tips and best practices. An in-person training workshop on public speaking will present an audience-driven approach to super-charging any district presentation. It will provide a valuable opportunity for practice and confidence-building for all staff members in public-facing communications roles. Lastly, don't forget the 5th Annual Conservation District Video Awards, where we will award the coveted CONDIVA trophy to the highest-scoring district video entry from 2024. Visit Building for Tomorrow for information & registration links.

Fall Leadership Webinar Series Videos Available

The 2024 Fall Leadership Video Series is posted at Building for Tomorrow, along with references and other supporting documents. The series focused on "Back to Basics" topics appropriate for all new district personnel, but particularly for new directors and managers, including an overview of Act 217, Other Applicable Laws for Districts, and a 2-part presentation on Board Function and Engagement.

Financial and other support for the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Program is provided through a grant from the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission. Guidance for the Program is provided through the Pennsylvania Conservation Partnership’s Leadership Development Committee.

Jefferson County Conservation District Completes Second PRISM Project

Jefferson County Conservation District and the local Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) pilot program advisory board conducted a pasture walk on a beef operation in September 2024 to spotlight problematic invasive plants on the farm and how to control them. The project cost $1,129.61 in grant funding.

The district's other PRISM project involved signage and was highlighted in the November 25, 2024, issue of Front Page.

Photo caption: Nicole Santangelo Thompson of Penn State Extension provides information on invasives and other problematic weeds in the pasture.

Financial and other support for the PRISM Pilot Program in NW Pennsylvania is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. through a Landscape Scale Restoration Grant with the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Lebanon County Conservation District Launches Pre-Sidedress Program

The pre-sidedress Soil Nitrate Test (PSNT) for corn is a tool that can be used to assess the soil nitrogen (N) supply and determine a sidedress N application recommendation. Effectively applying nitrogen can help lower fertilizer application costs while maximizing crop production and minimizing environmental N loss.

Lebanon County Conservation District is now offering free testing to farmers in Lebanon County. Farmers who choose to participate will receive soil sampling, testing and a sidedress recommendation at no cost.

More information can be found at www.lccd.org/psnt.