Dig It!
Capital RC&D is assisting the Threshold Foundation of Lancaster in promoting Dig It! as part of their Taste the Gifts of our Region initiative. The Dig It! Farms and Markets program aims to promote local agriculture in the Lancaster area while developing the career skills of local youth. The program teaches students about the agriculture through classroom instruction. It also recruits teenage summer interns to assist in the production and distribution of local food to neighborhoods without local food access through farmersí market sales. Working in diverse teams, participants develop agricultural, entrepreneurial, teamwork and communication skills. The program has been serving Lancaster residents since 2004.
Taste the Gifts of Our Region
Pennsylvaniaís rich soil, abundant natural resources and early settlers, who distinguished themselves as capable farmers, shaped an agrarian lifestyle thatís been handed down through generations. Pennsylvania still is one of the Americaís leading food processors, supplying the nation with creamy chocolate, oven-baked pretzels, sun-ripened vegetables, sweet fruits, robust wines, creamy chocolate and crispy potato chips.
Capital RC&D has designed the "Taste the Gifts of our Region" guide to acquaint the local public with Pennsylvaniaís distinct agricultural heritage. The brochure-sized guide features Roadside Stands, Producersí Markets, Wineries, Community Supported Agriculture Markets, Farm Stays, Bed and Breakfasts and other amenities from around the area that exemplify Pennsylvaniaís natural assets.
The guide takes on a travel and tourism format encouraging its readers to act as guests in their own area by branching out from normal dining habits and sampling new food and experiences associated with Pennsylvaniaís cultural heritage.
"Taste the Gifts of our Region" offers a county by county guide of agricultural attractions in south central Pennsylvania. Some of the highlights include:
- Apple orchards and historic Civil War sites, and in Adams and Franklin Counties
- Quaint Bed and Breakfasts amid the wildness of Cumberland County
- Sampling of Dauphin Countyís freshly produced Hersheyís chocolate
- Experiencing the Amish culture through excursions in Lancaster County
- Lebanon Countyís specially seasoned German Sausages.
- Factory tours of the Naylor Wine Cellars in York County
- Appalachian trail hikes throughout the region
Along with introducing the public to new local experiences, "Taste the Gifts of our Region" was also created to stimulate the local agriculture industry for the benefit of producers. Thus, far the "Taste the Gifts of our Region" initiative has helped to increased profits in each of 7 counties it serves.
Park the Plow For Profit
Through the Park the Plow program, Capital RC&D is looking to promote no-till farming as a more profitable and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional farming methods. The no-till method involves planting new crops into previous crop residue to reduce soil erosion.
What are the benefits of a no-till approach? This method of farming has been known to improve soil, water and air quality through controlling sediment and nutrient run-off. It significantly reduces fossil fuel consumption and lessens a producerís energy and labor costs over time. No-till farming is also favored as a time-saving strategy of participating producers.
Despite these benefits, local farmers have avoided making the transition to no-till farming due to comparatively high start up-costs of the program. The Park the Plow initiative aims to dissolve this potential risk for farmers by subsidizing much of the expense of a no-till transition. Producers interested in taking up a no-till farming approach in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties may apply for project aid through Park the Plow. 5-10 producers in each county (up to 36 within the region) will receive technical assistance and planning services as well as incentive payments, where applicable.
The need for technical knowledge to make the transition to no-till successful will be included in the form of a landowner payment for the services of a Certified Crop Adviser, to develop a ìtransition planî for the acreage enrolled in the program. This plan will address relevant issues such as fertilization, soil quality, pest control, manure, cover crops and equipment. The program aims to promote a continuous no-till approach to farming for at least 3-5 years because research has found that a continuous no-till method is both more efficient and more environmentally beneficial than a sporadic no-till commitment.
As a supplement to Park the Plow, Capital RC&D has also initiated a producer mentor program. This program encourages experienced no-till farmers to consult with new users to help them overcome the initial challenges that might arise from a transition to the new farming method. 12 new farmers and 8 farming mentors participated in this networking program last year. The instantiation of this mentoring initiative further diminishes the professional risks associated with no-till farming.
As a final goal, the Park the Plow program strives to transform 9,000 acres of local farmland (approximately 40 farms) to sites of no-till and cover cropping. Capital RC&D has partnered with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Penn State Cooperative Extension and participating county conservation districts to create and fund this program.
If you are a local producer interested in applying for a Park the Plow grant, we are still accepting applications for assistance. Please see our link to an online program application below. For more general information on the Park the Plow project and some photos of the project in action, please refer to the following links:
Press Release
Program "Flyer"
County Contacts
Program Application
Transition Planning Guidance
Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance Support
The formation of the PA No-Till Alliance has been the result of a collaborative effort between farmers and interested agencies. Capital RC&D has actively fostered the growth of the organization by providing organizational support to the Board and Membership. The PA No-Till Alliance is an organization that provides farmer-to-farmer support for beginning and experienced no-till farmers, with a goal of bringing together individuals interested in the multiple benefits of no-till crop production. Their overall mission is to promote the successful application of no-till through shared ideas, experiences, education and new technology. In its first year of existence, Alliance members have already begun to serve as a network for farmers interested in no-till practices.
Pennsylvania Stream Signage Program
The purpose of the Stream Signage Program is to raise awareness, connect people to their watersheds and encourage them to protect their water resources. The Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers (POWR), in partnership with the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation have established a Stream Signage Program to install PENNDOT-approved signs identifying streams, rivers, and creeks in Pennsylvania. The signs will be placed immediately before both sides of bridges on state-owned roads that cross over the waterways.
For more information, please view the following .pdf (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view .pdf files. A free reader may be downloaded here.)
Signage Application Form
PA Rural Community Fire Protection Program
In an effort to protect local rural communities from fire hazards, Capital RC&D is a partner in the PA Rural Community Fire Protection Program, otherwise known as the Dry Hydrant Program. Currently, there is a lack of safe access to water supplies for fire hazards in areas not served by public water systems. This results in more difficult fire fighting, greater property damage, and increased risk of loss of life. Farmers, homeowners, and businesses in rural areas face a distinct disadvantage in safety and fire protection.
As a response to this problem, the PA Rural Community Fire Protection Program provides grants to communities to install non-pressurized, heavy-duty plastic pipes called ‘dry hydrants’ into rural streams or ponds. These hydrants provide quick and easy access to a water source in the event of a fire. Thus far, 42 hydrants have been installed in the region in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties. These hydrants have been strategically placed using global positioning systems (GPS) to maximize their scope and efficiency.
In addition to being a safety measure, the Dry Hydrant Program may also assist rural communities by reducing their insurance costs. Since the insurance industry has long recognized the success of dry fire hydrants as damage control tools, they sometimes discount property owners and communities that install dry hydrants. Moreover, the program is environmentally beneficial as well, because dry fire hydrant usage can also result in fuel energy savings and drought protection.
Any group or individual wishing to learn more about the program may consult the following links:
Information Sheet WORD ----- PDF
Program Application WORD ----- PDF
Partner Agreement WORD ----- PDF
Press Release WORD ----- PDF
(You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view .pdf files. A free reader may be downloaded here.)
Our partners at Adams Electric Cooperative offer a companion program in Adams County, and portions of Cumberland and York Counties. We are working with them to assist as many communities in the entire South Central PA region as possible. For more information on Dry Hydrants, or to view a manual for installation, see their website at: http://www.adamsec.com/community.htm
Project Grass (in cooperation with Mid-State RC&D)
Pennsylvania Project Grass is a partnership effort to improve the economic viability and environmental quality of livestock operations through the promotion of grazing. There are five Project Grass chapters in Pennsylvania each has their own by-laws and farmer driven executive boards. Each also hold quarterly educational outreach meetings to any who are interested in grazing. More information may be found by visiting the Project GRASS Grazing Partnership Program.
Regional Riparian Initiative
Capital RC&D is administering the Regional Riparian and Ag BMP Initiative with the goal of lessening the impact of livestock production on local water sources. The cost share program funds stream bank fencing and other low-cost agricultural best management practices projects. Cost share funds for this program will prioritize rotational and non rotational grazing riparian fencing projects at a 100 percent cost share rate. Related practices including stabilized stream access points, stream crossings, and alternative livestock watering systems and other low-cost BMP are also funded under this initiative.
PRESS RELEASE
TECHNICAL GUIDANCE
SUBMITTAL FORM
C-SAW Program: Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds
Pennsylvania RC&D Councils provide organizational assistance to watershed groups for:
Improved operations and fiscal accountability
Properly prepared organization legal documents, by-laws, etc.
Incorporation, where appropriate
Assurance of adequate record keeping
Obtaining non-profit status and sales tax exemption
Effective accounting systems that comply with grant fiscal record requirements
Assistance in grant application preparation
Manure and Minelands
This research and site demonstration project will assess the "phytoremediation" capacity of various tree species for reclamation of abandoned mine lands, using waste materials such as municipal leaf refuse and composted chicken manure.
Willow Mill Park Project
This partnership with Silver Spring Township and the Penn State Master Gardeners Program in Cumberland County will provide for the enhancement and restoration of a garden area and community walking trails within this riparian park.
Claremont Community Gardens Project
Capital RC&D is collaborating with the Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (CNRC) and several other stakeholders, including Penn State University Cooperative Extension, to introduce a horticultural therapy program to benefit the nursing homeís residents. The Claremont Community Gardens Program assists residents through the provision of several community gardens throughout the nursing homeís estate.
These gardens provide a fruitful hobby to the centerís residents. They encourage feelings of self esteem and empowerment while making the residents feels more active, at home and engaged in their community. The gardens promote the physical health of residents by offering them a means of physical exercise as well as a potential reduction in the need for medications. These gardens also facilitate intergenerational socialization and provide a means of emotional therapy for residents. On a larger scale these gardens, the creation of these gardens yield education, certification and networking opportunities related to horticultural therapy.
To strengthen their therapeutic effects, each garden is developed to provide specific benefits to their visitors. Some examples of the individual gardens that have been developed are: Trial and Idea Garden, Robert J. Coleman Resident Garden, Intergenerational Garden, Birds and Butterflies Garden and Sensory Garden. The diversity of the gardens also caters to the individual interests and creativity of Claremont residents and staff
To insure that the gardens are utilizes most efficiently, training is provided to the Claremont Service Providers in the areas of implementing physical, emotional, psychological, behavioral and social rehabilitation using the specialized focus of each individual garden project.
To read more about this project or to donate, click on the following links:
Claremont Community Gardens Program Description
Swatara Greenway Implementation
Capital RC&D is assisting the Dauphin County Parks and Recreation Department and other project partners in promoting, identifying and prioritizing projects along the Swatara Creek Greenway Corridor.
Buy Fresh, Buy Local
This project aims to promote the "Buy Fresh, Buy Local" campaign in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture. Our goal is to encourage the consumption of locally produced agricultural products by providing options and information to consumers. A consumer's guide for farmer's markets and stands in South Central PA can be found on our website.
Why Buy Locally Grown Food? Did you know that when you buy locally grown food you are helping to protect the environment? Each fresh and delicious apple or tomato you buy at a local farm stand or from a producer at a farmers' market helps to protect the environment in a number of ways. It can save thousands of miles of transportation. Most food available in the average grocery store is extremely resource intensive, traveling an average of 1500-2500 miles from field to plate. Reducing the "food miles" reduces carbon emissions from shipping as well as packaging. Spending your food dollar on locally produced food also helps to make farming more profitable, reducing the incentive for a farmer to sell farmland for development. This provides us all with more open space for water recharge and helps conserve the region's visual beauty. We in Mechanicsburg are fortunate to have many nearby farms that retail to consumers and our own in-town farmer's market on Saturday mornings during the summer. It couldn't be easier to buy fresh buy local!
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a national program that began in 2000 with the goal to promote the health and prosperity of local waterways and wildlife habitats. Participants in the program offer land that had been previously used as cropland or pastureland in return for financial support from the USDA Farm Service Agency in partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to support the costs of implementing these conservation practices. Capital RC&D is working with agency staff and other conservation organizations to provide additional technical support to CREP landowners by providing them with technical assistance in managing their CREP project. Landowners currently enrolled in CREP can take part in the CREP Weed Control/Wildlife Habitat Technical Assistance Project, which provides education and outreach on weed control and wildlife habitat management by;
Collecting and distributing to each county a library of information on weed control/wildlife habitat management
Developing/presenting workshops and field days
Establishing demonstration plots for educational/outreach activities
Developing a weed control/wildlife habitat management plan for interested landowners
CREP Landowners Newsletter - Fall Issue
