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Conservation Districts staff members from Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties held two environmental educational contests in May 2013. One was for high school students and the other was open for 7th and 8th graders. |
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The Susquehanna Valley High School Envirothon was scheduled to be held at the Shikellamy State Park Overlook near Northumberland, PA on May 8. However, soon after the contest started, the event had to be postponed due to lightning. Click here to find out what happened.
A middle school event was held on May 14 at the PPL Montour Preserve near Danville and Washingtonville, PA. Fortunally, weather was not a problem. Click here for results. |
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Back by popular demand, the Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) held its Women in Agriculture workshop at Shade Mountain Winery north of Middleburg on April 27, 2013.
Many speakers of various topics and interests spoke during the meeting. Sixty people attended, including two women from Virginia who make a special trip to attend. Click here for details and photos.
Renee Swineford, SCCD Administrative Assistant, is already planning for the 2014 meeting. Contact her (570-837-3000, x110) for more information about the 2013 or the 2014 meetings. |
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Midd-West School District educators and teachers invited the Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) to bring our staff to teach 5th graders the importance of water protection and soils. Fifth graders came from Middleburg and West Snyder Elementary School.
Our presentations were one of many activities and subjects students participated and explored during its annual Outdoor Education program held at Camp Mt. Luther west of Mifflinburg, PA. One hundred sixty-five (165) 5th graders heard our presentations. For more information and photos, click here for more details.
SCCD staff have given various presentations to classroom students and youth organization for many years. Go to our Education & Youth webpage for more information. |
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The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) just held its annual tree sale, seed and plant sale again in 2013. Orders were picked up at the SCCD office at 10541 Route 522, Middleburg on Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19. Click here for a wrap-up.
Questions about specific sale items may be forwarded to Craig Bingman, District Manager, at 570-837-3000, x114. Proceeds benefit SCCD youth scholarship programs. |
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A workshop geared toward municipal leaders and officials was held at the Village Merchants on April 3 in Richfield. It was sponsored by Juniata, Mifflin, Perry and Snyder County Conservation Districts as well as four businesses. |
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A sample of topics were: PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) erosion & sedimentation (E&S) and stormwater regulations, DEP permitting and handling emergencies. Click here for a detailed wrap-up. |
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The Lower Penns Creek Watershed Association (LPCWA), in cooperation with the Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD), held two rain barrel workshops in March 2013. One workshop was in New Berlin and the other was at the SCCD office in Middleburg. Eighty (80) people attended the two workshops and received rain barrels. |
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LPCWA's held another workshop in the village of Penns Creek in April 2013. Click here for a wrap-up for all three workshops. If you are interested in placing your name in a waiting list for attending future rain barrel workshop for a small fee, or if you cannot wait and want to buy a rain barrel at full price, contact the SCCD at 570-837-3000, x110.
Jason Winey, SCCD Watershed Specialist, gave a rain barrel presentation at the Country Cupboard Restaurant & Gift Shop near Lewisburg in April. Another presentation, sponsored by County Cupboard, will take place in May 18. Check with Country Cupboard for registration (570-523-3211) for details. |
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PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has produced a Manure Management Plan (MMP) workbook required for farmers to complete who produce, handle or spread manure and are not required to have a nutrient management plan such as concentrated animal operations (CAOs) and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) has been hold workshops and meeting with farmers explaining what is required. These MMPs are now required by any person who raised animals, produces or receives animal manure. Individuals who even raise one steer, one goat, one sheep, etc., are required to have a MMP.
Another meeting is planned for horse, sheep and other small operations. It will be held at the Pallas Hill Alpaca Farm near Mt. Pleasant Mills on Saturday, June 1, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A light lunch will be provided. Please register with Barry Spangler, Agricultural Conservation Technician, 570-837-3000, x118, by May 28. Click here for a flyer.
Questions about the workshop, environmental regulations or manure management planning can be forwarded to Barry Spangler, Agricultural Conservation Technician, 570-837-3000, x118. You can also go to our Agricultural Erosion Prevention, Agricultural Nutrient Management and Agricultural Conservation Assistance web pages for more information. |
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Penn State Cooperative Extension (PSCE), in cooperation with Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences (PSU-CAS) and Snyder County Conservation District (SCC), held a joint cover crop and manure field day on the R. T. Pecht farm on 290 Center AVE, Beaver Springs, PA, on April 12, 2013. An earlier field day event was held at the same farm on November 20, 2012. |
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The cover crop portion was one of ten PSCE sponsored events throughout PA through a grant from USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Dr. Sjored Duiker, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Associate Professor, described the various cover crop mixtures and what they hope to find through this three year research grant.
The manure events, which included a manure spreader calibration, was sponsored by the SCCD through a Growing Greener grant from the PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Details about the April 12 can be found here.
Test plots with eight different types of cover crop mixtures were planted on the R. T. Pecht farm on September 12, 2012. The photo above has Ron Hoover, PSU-CAS Senior Project Associate/On-Farm Research Program Coordinator, showing off the cover crops' plant roots. Click here for more information about the field day event held on November 20, 2012, or contact Dave Hartman, PSCE Agricultural Educator at 800-851-9710 or 570-784-6660. |
- Recent Happenings: Go to "Conservation News" section of this web page for details.
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- March 12 & 20: Rain Barrel Workshops, New Berlin & SCCD Office
- Apr. 3: Four-County Municipal Leaders Workshop, Richfield
- Apr. 12: Joint Cover Crop-Manure Field Day, Beaver Springs
- Apr. 18-19: Annual Tree Sale, SCCD Office
- Apr. 18: Rain Barrel Workshop, Penns Creek
- Apr. 23 & 25: SCCD Helps with Midd-West Outdoor Education, Camp Mt. Luther
- Apr. 27: Women in AG Workshop, Middleburg
- May 8: High School Envirothon, Shikellamy State Park Overlook
- May 14: Middle School Envirothon, PPL Montour Preserve
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- What's New:
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- Now in Our Office Building: Snyder County 4-H Office
- Now Available: Test Kits Available, SCCD Office
News Release:
-- Conservation District To Plan Farm Visits
Effective Now: Farmers who manage, produce, use manure must have a Manure Management Plan!
- Upcoming Events:
PA Envirothon: May 21 & 22, Juniata College
Manure Management Workshop for Small Ag. & Horse Operations: June 1, 2013, Mt. Pleasant Mills
Coming Soon:
SCCD Kids' Displays at Ag. & Dairy Days: May 17, Information Coming!
Additional Manure Management Workshops: Meeting for horse owners and non-traditional livestock owners scheduled on June 1, 2013. Flyer |
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A conservation district is a subdivision of state government that follows county lines as boundaries. Funding for the conservation district's programs is obtained from the Snyder County Commissioners, PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and other agencies. The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) was founded in 1956.
A partial list of what we are involved with includes:
- Worksite Erosion Prevention (Erosion and Sedimentation)
- Agricultural Nutrient Management (e.g.: Act 38)
- Agricultural Conservation Assistance
- Improving Dirt & Gravel Roads
- Watershed Protection & Organizations
- Agricultural Land Preservation
- Conservation Education & Promotion
- Other Services (e.g.: tree seedling sales, topographic map sales)
The Snyder County Conservation District (SCCD) is governed by a seven member board of volunteer directors. The Board of Directors meet monthly to plan and direct local conservation issues. To accomplish their goals and objectives, the board relies on their staff, paid employs of the Conservation District, and cooperating agencies such as the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), PA State Conservation Commission (SCC) PA Game Commission, PA Fish & Boat Commission, PA Bureau of Forestry, Farm Service Agency, Penn State Cooperative Extension, among others.
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Snyder County Conservation District
sccd@ptd.net
10541 Route 522
Middleburg, PA 17842
Phone: (570) 837-3000
Fax: (570) 837-7300
Hours: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Farmers, Do You Have the Following?
Nutrient or Manure Management Plan?
Ag. E&S or Conservation Plan?
If yes, are they up to date? If not, meet with the Snyder County Conservation District soon. We will explain what is required of you and point you to the right direction. DEP has been conducting inspections throughout Snyder County to determine if farmers are following the new regulations.
Contact us and go to our Agricultural Nutrient Management and Agricultural Erosion Prevention web pages for more details.
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A message brought to you by Renee Swineford, SCCD Administrative Assistant
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The Lower Penns Creek Watersheds Association's recently held its popular rain barrel workshops. Contact Jason Winey, SCCD Watershed Specialist, at 570-837-3000, x112, to place your name on a waiting list for future workshops.
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Soil, Manure, Drinking Water and Pond & Lake Water Test Kits and Penn State Agronomy Guides are now available. Check our Items for Sale web page for details.
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The Snyder County 4-H Office has moved to the Snyder County Conservation District Office Building. Click here for details.
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