Much of the work done by the Snyder County Conservation District staff relates to agriculture and protecting our ground and surface waters. Along with other cooperating agencies, we have installed many best management practices (BMPs) on farms throughout Snyder County. Examples of agricultural BMPs are: improved barnyards, streambank fencing, manure storages, waste stacking structures, diversions, grass waterways, cattle stream crossings, milkhouse wastewater treatment systems, riparian buffers, cover cropping and no-till crop planting.

The Conservation District also offers the following non-structural technical assistance:

1. A corn testing program to help determine whether extra nitrogen sidedress fertilizer is needed. (See 2011 wrap-up and fact sheet at right.) This service will be offered in 2012.
2. A cornstalk nitrogen testing service that helps farmers determine whether enough nitrogen was applied. (We are not sure if this will be offered in 2012.) Check out the 2011 wrap-up at right.

We even have a database of people willing to offer their no-till planting services or equipment. You can even send us information if you wish to be on the list. Check out the "Technical Assistance Downloads" section for these items. We also can help out with manure spreader calibrations.

Note: The Conservation District will be offering assistance to farmers in writing manure management plans or teaching them how to write these plans. Stay tuned for more information or contact Barry Spangler, Agricultural Conservation Technician, at 570-837-3000, x118.

For more information about the technical assistance farmers can receive, please contact the Conservation District or the NRCS-Middleburg Field Office.

There are several programs that farmers can seek financial assistance from the Conservation District, NRCS and other agencies. They are as follows:

Examples of recent Conservation District financial assistance programs include no-till incentives, cover crop incentives, barnyard improvements, nutrient management plan development, pasture and streambank fencing and riparian buffers. Go to "Financial Assistance Downloads" for some examples.

NEW: The SCCD is now accepting applications from farmers who are interested in seeking financial assistance for "small" projects such as diversions, roof runoff controls, cattle crossings and streambank fencing. Contact Barry Spangler, Agricultural Conservation Technician, at 570-837-3000, x118 by February 15, 2012. to see if your situation falls within this category.

Note: There are currently no sign-ups for other Conservation District programs. However, you can check with the Conservation District and see if there is a potential for your situation in the future. Stay tuned for upcoming information or contact Barry Spangler, Agricultural Conservation Technician, at 570-837-3000, x118.

The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) also has many programs such as:

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
• Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative (CBWI)
• Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA)
• Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
• and others.

The USDA-Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers conservation cost-share and loan programs as well. For example:

• Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
• Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
• Conservation Loan Program