Agriculture

Our Agricultural Conservation Technician

The goals of our Agricultural Conservation Technician are to assist farmers in Venango County with agriculture conservation activities including technical assistance related to the administration of the Nutrient Management Law (Act 38) and Manure Management (Chapter 91), as well as assisting with funding procurement for implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on farms to minimize nonpoint source pollution. Additionally, education and outreach related to agriculture conservation are also performed.

For questions or to request technical assistance, please contact:

Jane Price
Agriculture Conservation Technician
(814) 676-2832 ext. 4
jane.price8484@gmail.com

Agricultural Conservation

About 12% of the land use in Venango County is used for agriculture, according to USDA's 2017 agriculture census. The county is home to over 400 farms across 53,000 acres of land.

The Venango Conservation District is here to support a variety of different farming operations in conserving natural resources, as well as assist in improving efficiency and production on farms throughout the county.

We can assist owners and operators with manure and nutrient management plans, provide technical assistance related to funding agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs), and help find solutions to natural resource concerns.

Agricultural Best Management Practices are measures that producers can take to help reduce the amount of fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste, sediment, and other environmental pollutants from entering surface and ground water sources. Examples of BMPs include but are not limited to: cover crops, Animal Heavy Use Areas (AHUA), manure storage systems, streambank stabilization, streambank fencing, off-stream watering facilities, and much more.

If you have questions or would like more information about the services we can offer you, please contact our Agriculture Conservation Technician.

Manure Management

Every farm in Pennsylvania that land applies manure or agricultural process wastewater (generated on the farm or received from an importer), regardless of size, is required to have and implement a written Manure Management Plan. This includes manure and agricultural process wastewater application by various types of equipment and/or direct application of manure by animals on pastures and in Animal Concentration Areas (ACAs). In other words, farms that do not mechanically apply manure but do have pastures or ACAs still need a Manure Management Plan.

Farms defined as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and Concentrated Animal Operations (CAOs) are required to develop written plans as well. The nutrient management plans for these animal operations are required to follow a different more detailed process and must be developed by a Certified Nutrient Management Specialist (see below).

Nutrient Management

The basic concept of nutrient management is to balance the nutrient application to crop fields (typically nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), whether from spreading manure or chemical fertilizers, with the amount necessary for optimum crop growth and production. If this balance is achieved, there is a two-fold benefit:

Economics - It is important to properly account for the nutrient benefit of manure application. For many years, agricultural producers applied chemical fertilizers based upon crop needs in addition to spreading manure. In some cases, manure application may be enough to meet crop requirements. Money spent on chemical fertilizers could be saved! It is important to realize and test for the nutrient value of manure, to account for it prior to application.
Environment - Nutrients, from both manure and chemical fertilizers, are essential to a farm. Excess application, however, not only wastes money, but can also have harmful effects on the environment. Runoff carrying excess nutrients generated from farm fields can cause serous water quality problems. Applying only the needed amounts of nutrients can reduce the threat of water pollution.

The goal of the program is to encourage farmers to develop Nutrient Management Plans for their operations, and provide assistance to those who wish to participate. In some cases across the state, farms are considered Concentrated Animal Operations (CAO's) or those operations that have an animal density that exceeds two animal equivalency units (AEU) per spreadable acre (i.e. cropland, hayland, pasture). An AEU is 1000 pounds of live weight of any animal. CAO's are required by law to develop and maintain a nutrient management plan. Most farms are considered volunteer operations that wish to balance nutrient applications.

Forms & Resources

What Type of Plan Do You Need for Your Farm?
A flowchart used to determine the type of plan needed to maintain Act 38 compliance.

Overview of DEP's Manure Management Manual
Learn about Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Manure Management Manual and Manure Management Plan.

Land Application of Manure Publication
Manure Management Plan Guidance

Agriculture Erosion & Sediment Control
Information related to DEP regulations on Ag E&S plans.

Soil Testing Available!

Testing your soil allows you to understand changes in nutrient content in order to be more efficient and save money on fertilizer, lime, and manure applications. Our Agriculture Technician can assist Venango County farmers with soil testing. After assisting you with collecting samples, the soil is sent to Penn State for testing, and you will receive a report detailing the results and recommendations for nutrient amendments.

Funding Resources

Are you a part of an agriculture operation in Venango County? Do you wish to improve efficiency and natural resource concerns on your farm? Then these funding opportunities may be a fit for you. If you would like to apply for any of these programs, please contact our office for assistance.

Read this article for more funding opportunities related to agriculture conservation practices.

Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP)
The Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) was created through the Clean Streams Fund established by the 2022-2023 Pennsylvania State Budget. ACAP provides financial and technical assistance for the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations within the Commonwealth.

Venango County is home to over 400 farms. With total croplands growing to over 53,000 acres in the County according to the 2017 Ag Census, farmers can now take advantage of the new ACAP funding to grow their farms even more. We are here to help farmers implement BMPs and provide technical and financial assistance for farm projects big and small.

Check out the links below for more information.

Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Program
REAP is a first-come, first-served program that enables farmers, businesses, and landowners to earn PA income tax credits to offset the cost of implementing conservation practices. Tax credits provided by the REAP program helps farmers off-set the costs of implementing best management practices (BMPs) that benefit their farms and work to protect water quality at the same time.

To be eligible, a farm must have up-to-date Agricultural Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) Plans and Manure/Nutrient Management Plans for all acres farmed. REAP provides tax credits at levels of 50%, 75%, or 90% of costs incurred in the implementation of BMPs that reduce nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution. 2023-24 applications are accepted by the State Conservation Commission until October 31, 2023. Contact our Agriculture Conservation Technician for more information.