The federal government set aside more than $19 billion in new funding for agricultural conservation in the Inflation Reduction Act, and Pennsylvania is making new investments through programs like the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). We can help you use these funds to reduce operations costs and protect against soil erosion and water quality loss.
We’ll help you navigate the complicated mix of programs and regulatory requirements: Nutrient management plans. Act 38 vs NRCS. Manure management plans. Ag Erosion & Sedimentation Control. Which requirements apply to your operations? Is there a way to streamline efforts and meet the requirements of multiple programs with the same actions? What are the most efficient and cost-effective methods of compliance? We can help you make that determination.
But smart conservation is about more than regulatory compliance. It’s about saving money and protecting your resources. Fertilizer costs are on the rise, and shortages are a concern. If your cropland is receiving excess nutrients, a nutrient management plan could save you an average of $30 per acre, according to data from USDA’s National Resources Conservation Service. Good planning and design can protect your soil from erosion and protect the quality of your streams for years (and future generations).
We can assist at every stage:
- obtaining funds and complying with program requirements
- preparing plans
- performing design, engineering, and construction administration.
We work directly with farmers and with country conservation districts (as a program administrator and technical service provider).
Our team has administered and provided technical assistance for projects in 33 county conservation districts. Our experience involves coordinating with DEP, conservation districts, and dozens of non-profit organizations to administer grants, target resources where they will have the greatest impact, establish trust with the agricultural community, and leverage partnerships to reduce costs and maximize results.
We have experience with the following funding programs:
Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP)
Resource Enhancement & Protection Program (REAP)
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Growing Greener Grants
PennVEST
Center For Beef Excellence
Center for Dairy Excellence: Dairy Excellence Grants
CARAT: Climate Smart Grants
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
Ag Plan Reimbursement Program
Our team includes former conservation district and PA State Farm Bureau personnel who’ve designed and guided dozens of agricultural conservation BMPs through construction. Nick Hepfl has implemented millions of dollars in agricultural conservation projects and written 20,000+ acres of nutrient and conservation plans. Andy Hibbs has more than 30 years of experience as an ag engineer for conservation districts and the private sector.
We are a certified NRCS Technical Service Provider (TSP). We can help you obtain assistance and approval from the USDA’s National Resource Conservation Service related to access roads, fences, animal mortality facilities, composting facilities, heavy use area protection, open channels, pumping plants, roof runoff structures, roofs and covers, water control structures, surface and subsurface drains, trails and walkways, waste transfer and storage facilities, and vegetated treatment areas. We can help you identify your eligibility, apply for assistance, and then plan, design and construct any of these facilities. We can also assist with nutrient management design and implementation, forest harvest management, pasture and hay planting, and prescribed grazing. View our Technical Service Provider listing (Link opens in new tab.)
