Farmers viewing environmental improvements as advantageous for their business

District’s better understanding of the economics of agriculture› What matters to the farmer?

Labor Energy Food Price Raw Material Costs Food Safety Weather Conservation/Environment

Educating Farmers› Minimal attendance or same attendees at Annual

Meetings› Difficulty differentiating agencies’ personnel

Funding/Grants› Districts receive limited dedicated funds

Need $ for BMPs Long-Term/Consistent Funding for Staff Spending time on grant applications and then money is

not awarded› Without an economic benefit to farmer, grant

money will be needed. Few people spend a significant amount of money on the environment for altruistic reasons

Obtaining Permits to construct BMPs› General Permits (GP) from PA DEP

EV & HQ Watershed require Joint/Individual Permits

New Fee Schedule› Frustrating because BMPs are for

environmental improvements

Township Relationships› Zoning Ordinances inhibiting BMP installation

Communication w/ Contractors› Choosing the correct time to

install BMPs

Long-Term Maintenance of BMPs› Farmers need to take ownership of practices

› Importance of ‘Cost-Share’ Funding

Establishing Relationships and Clear Presence in the Community› Takes time and need an experienced staff› Traditionally high turnover rates at the Districts› Complexity of dealing with Amish community

Changing Laws/Regulations

Enforcement› Level 2 District

Successful Grant Applications› Has allowed for significant conservation to

be accomplished i.e. PennVEST ($6,779,368)

Establishing Relationships› Staying in contact with farmers through

frequent communication

Partnerships› PA DEP, NRCS, CBF, Stroud, United Water

Preserved Farms› Required to have a Conservation Plan and

Annual Status Reviews› Avenue for achieving more conservation

Identifying Agriculture as the ‘Solution’ and not the ‘Problem’

Education› DEP 100 Visits: Face-to-face meetings with

landowners/farmers to communicate their regulatory requirements One-on-one interactions are most effective Small community outreach Offer pesticide credits

Funding› Dedicated Ag Staff Grant Specialist

Work in conjunction with the Watershed Specialist

Long-Term Maintenance of BMPs› Increase frequency of Status Reviews› Continuing education on O&M

Establishing Relationships and Clear Presence in the Community› More competitive salaries and greater

incentives in order to prevent turnover Difficult in County payroll structure

Enforcement through other Avenues› PA Fish and Boat Commission??

‘Farmer of the Year’ Award from the District

General Information:› Chris Strohmaier› cstrohmaier@chesco.org› (610) 925-4920 x 111

Mushroom/Ag Information:› Adam Mowery› amowery@chesco.org› (610) 925-4920 x 116

**PowerPoint will be posted on the CCCD website:

www.chesco.org/conservation