Agricultural Programs
“To be a successful farmer one must first know the nature of the soil.” --- Xenophon, Oeconomicus, 400 B.C.
The Bucks County Conservation District promotes conservation practices in the agricultural community in by:
§ Assisting famers with improvement of agriculture, conservation and nutrient management activities.
§ Administering and/or publicizing financial assistance opportunities for conservation planning and implementation.
§ Administering and disseminating information regarding to the Nutrient Management Law (Act 38)
§ Promoting and assisting in educational events pertaining to agriculture conservation.
Requests for Technical Assistance
Left: Farmers can receive technical assistance in designing erosion control structures such as this grassed waterway and rock outlet.
The Agriculture Conservation Technician (ACT) is available to assist in conservation planning and provide technical assistance to farmers interested in doing conservation work on their farms.
To become a cooperator farmer with the District, the applicant must complete an assistance request form. Shortly thereafter, the ACT will conduct an inventory and evaluation of the farm’s natural resources*and recommend appropriate Best Management Practices (BMPs). The request for planning or technical assistance must be approved by the Bucks County Conservation District Board where it will be given a priority level and a cooperator number. The signed agreement may be terminated upon written notice by the applicant or the District.
*natural resources include soil, water, animal (domestic and wild), air, and plant resources.
Agricultural Conservation Programs
Left: several agricultural conservation programs provided cost and technical assistance for streambank restoration at a local farm.
Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP)
REAP provides state tax credits to farmers and businesses for implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs), purchase of no-till or low disturbance manure incorporation equipment and planning for conservation and/or nutrient management plans.
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REAP PROGRAM GUIDELINES - explain REAP eligibility, program requirements, approval procedures and includes all attachments relating to the REAP program.
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REAP APPLICATION - includes application instructions that provide concise information on what you need to do for different project types
. Please read before completing application.
§ APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS All REAP applications must be submitted through and reviewed by the Bucks County Conservation District. See for application instructions for fee schedules and program timelines.
§ CONTACT - Rachel Onuska
Agricultural Conservation Technician
BUCKS COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Phone: (215) 453-9527 x108
DEP Compost Infrastructure Grant
In an effort to promote foodwaste recycling (and keep it out of the landfills), DEP has initiated a Compost Infrastructure Grant. Organic waste such as food, grass clippings, leaves and brush account for more than one-third of all the trash entering Pennsylvania’s landfills. The grant provides funding for composting equipment (up to$100,000) to private and non-profit organizations that are looking to increase food waste diversion. To date 21 grants have been awarded for compost equipment
§ ELIGIBLE EQUIPMENT: Turners, screeners, loaders, tractors, monitoring equipment, transportation and collection vehicles, plastic separation, and vermicompost equipment.
§ This program is administered through the Central DEP office in Harrisburg.
§ CONTACT :
o Charlie Scheidler
(717) 787-7382
Plan Development Incentives Program (PDIP)
PDIP is a cost-share program for Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs) that are developing nutrient management plans or updating existing ones. Cost share includes plan development, soil/manure testing and nutrient balance sheet costs.
§ CONTACT: Rachel Onuska
Agricultural Conservation Technician
BUCKS COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Phone: (215) 453-9527 x108
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) programs
The Conservation District is a partner agency to the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS administers several USDA conservation programs that provide technical and financial help to land owners to implement conservation practices that protect natural resources.
§ CONTACT:NRCS
1000 E Walnut St, Suite 704B
Perkasie, PA 18944
215 453-9527 x 3
Nutrient Management (Act 38)
Left: Oats planted after corn. Planting a cover crop in the fall can retain nutrients of fall manure application, reducing nutrient leaching and improving manure nitrogen availability to the following crop by 100%.
Pennsylvania’s Nutrient Management Act (2005) requires farms of a certain animal density develop and implement an Act 38 Nutrient Management Plan. Act 38 plans balance manure application rates to match crop needs, evaluates manure storage, phosphorus runoff potential, Animal Concentration Areas (ACAs) and any concentrated erosion. Farms under the regulated animal density are still encouraged to get a nutrient management plan, and in fact about 90% of Pennsylvania's Act 38 plans are volunteers. By analyzing storage and usage of on-farm nutrients, Act 38 participants can take measures to improve water and soil quality as well as improve crop production, decrease fertilizer costs, and secure some liability protection against civil penalties and actions.
§ Phosphorus Pollution- Why is ACT 38 so concerned about phosphorus levels in soil and manure? (pg 2 gives a good synopsis of the concerns with phosphorus runoff)
§ CONTACT:
o Rachel Onuska
Agricultural Conservation Technician
BUCKS COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Phone: (215) 453-9527 x108
Horse Farms
Frequently Asked Questions
§ Are Horse Farms Regulated?
Yes. Horse farms were included in PA’s Nutrient Management Law in the 2004 revisions. Horse farms with 2,000lbs of live weight or more per acre (calculate your farm’s animal density) are required to obtain and implement a nutrient management plan that follow all Act 38 regulations.
§ What if I am not a CAO, am I still a regulated operation?
Yes. Although you not required to get a nutrient management plan, all operations that generate, store and/or apply manure are required to be in compliance with the following statues:
o PA Clean Streams Law: prohibited to let manure enter waters of the Commonwealth (includes surface waters and groundwater).
o Future revisions of PA Clean Streams Law:
Currently the only regulated agricultural activity for sediment erosion (Chpt 102 of PA Clean Streams) is plowing and tilling of 5000 sq ft or more. However, the new Chpt 102 draft reviosns include erosion from animal heavy use areas over 5000 sq ft in the regulations. These farms are required to have a conservation plan.
§ Do I Qualify for Agricultural Conservation Programs?
o REAP: Horse operations qualify for REAP as longs as they have a conservation plan and nutrient management plan (if a CAO). If the farm is not a CAO then a manure management plan is required.
o PDIP: yes horse operations qualify for PDIP.
o NRCS: horse operations qualify for USDA/NRCS programs only if they are a breeding operation. Boarding and rescue operations do not qualify.
§ What can the Bucks County Conservation District Do For Me?
If a horse farm is interested in evaluating and improving the natural resources on their farm, the District’s Ag Technician is available for conducting and inventory and evaluation of your farm, developing a subsequent conservation plan to address resource concerns, and explaining current assistance programs that you may qualify for to help you implement those conservation recommendations. Below are types of assistance we can provide:
o Pasture Management
o Rotational Grazing
o Manure storage
o Heavy Use Area (sacrifice lots)
o Stormwater Management
o Erosion and Sedimentation Control
The land owner needs to complete a Request for Technical Assistance to become a District cooperator.
Horse-Specific Conservation Publications
o Oregon State Extension publication that includes pictures and explanations of equine conservation work that promote "green pastures, clean water and healthy horses".
o Amy Skvarka, Nutrient Management Specialist of the Cumberland Valley Cooperative Association as presented at the Lebanon County Conservation District’s Equine Pasture Mgmt Workshop 2008.
South East Project Grass Chapter
South East Project Grass Chapter is one of 5 Project Grass Chapters in Pennsylvania. The SE Project Grass Chapter has their own by-laws, a farmer driven executive board, and holds 4 quarterly educational outreach meetings a year. These meetings are open to anyone who is interested in grazing. SE Pa. PG Chapter has a NRCS Grazing Specialist who provides technical assistance, coordinates Project Grass meetings, handles mailings, writes grants to be distributed evenly among the Chapter's Counties for cost share for grazing systems on farms in his Chapter Counties.
