"Grazing Grants Available in Southeastern Pennsylvania"
Written by Dave Lefever, published in Lancaster Farming (June 5, 2026)

​Funding for rotational grazing practices will be available for some graziers in three southeastern Pennsylvania counties under a revived grant program.
The goal is to recruit 25 graziers in Dauphin, Lancaster and Lebanon counties for funding, said Ann Basehore, the executive director of Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council.
Capital RC&D will administer funds awarded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The program also links with other agencies that offer grazing assistance, including county conservation districts, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Basehore said the funding, originally approved in September 2024, was frozen for much of 2025 but recently reactivated.
The grants will be given on a 90% cost-share basis.
Capital RC&D is in the process of establishing criteria for the grant, developing a list of potential graziers and choosing pilot areas for recruitment.
The agency is looking to recruit small- to medium-scale livestock farmers, especially those who are new to cost-share programs. Farms close to each other will be given priority consideration for mutual support and logistical efficiency.
The program will offer between $2,000 and $18,000 per project.
An RC&D grazing adviser will visit potential grant candidates to view their farms and discuss needs, goals and management skills. The adviser will then submit an application on behalf of the landowner/operator. Grants will be awarded according to RC&D’s ranking system.
While the funds will be allocated primarily to applicants in the three target counties, additional projects will be awarded in the other four counties in the Capital RC&D region — Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York.
“We are in the beginning of the process,” Basehore said on May 21. “Ideas, partnerships and participation are evolving.”
Funds will go toward improving grazing infrastructure, especially fencing and watering systems, streambank fencing, stream crossings, and riparian buffer installations. Pasture seedings and other grazing related improvements can also be eligible.
Technical assistance will be available.
To support the effort, Capital RC&D formed a monthly meeting group called Pasture Partners to share updates, gather feedback and collaborate as the project moves forward.
To learn more, contact Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or email [email protected].

For Immediate Release
March 31, 2026
For Information Contact:
B.J. Small 717-253-0599 


Grazing Practices and Water Quality
in Pennsylvania Will Improve With NFWF Grant

(HARRISBURG)—A National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) grant to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) will improve water quality in Pennsylvania and other Bay states by supporting regenerative farm practices like converting row crops to pasture, better livestock grazing, and streamside trees.

The Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grant of $939,700, with $267,800 in matching funds, will implement nearly 1,700 acres of agricultural conservation practices, including managed grazing and streamside buffers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The grant is made from NFWF’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, funded primarily by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Chesapeake Bay Program Office. Additional funding for this project is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

In Pennsylvania, CBF will collaborate with Capital Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. to provide educational resources, peer-to-peer technical assistance, field days, and pasture walks in Lancaster, York, Adams, Cumberland, Lebanon, Dauphin, and Franklin counties.

Field days will focus on improving pasture conditions, soil health, and converting row crops to grazing. This leads to less polluted runoff, healthier soils, and reductions in fertilizer use and farm costs, all of which improve the water quality of local streams and the Chesapeake Bay.

Pastures with deep-rooted forage plants are more resilient to extreme weather, like prolonged droughts or torrential rains. Veterinary expenses and cull rates may drop because of fewer foot ailments and other herd health problems, since the livestock are more active and outside with less exposure to pathogens.

Grant funds awarded to CBF for the project will also go toward economic case studies on farms in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, looking at the costs and benefits of shifting to regenerative production systems, like grazing.

Kelly O'Neill, Agriculture Policy Analyst with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania said:

“For Pennsylvania, this grant means that more farmers will be able to improve their grazing efforts by learning from other farmers and then put them into practice in ways that make sense on their land.

“Federal and state investments in regenerative agriculture are good for farm productivity and improving local water quality by keeping soil and nitrogen on the land instead of running into local waters.

“Regenerative grazing has helped many farmers to balance expenses and income, while improving the quality of farm life by reducing labor and costs. Livestock move frequently through a series of paddocks, allowing the forage plants to recover while the animals are grazing elsewhere.

“Grazing operations generally have lower start-up and maintenance costs than confinement operations. Many livestock producers shifting from confinement operations to grazing can spend more time managing pastures and monitoring herd performance, and less on a tractor.”

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Grazing Sheep Through Winter

(Carlisle, PA) – Graziers often use the term stockpile when referring to grass and forage that is left standing specifically to provide nutrition in the non-growing season. This technique allows graziers to continue putting their livestock on pasture instead of only feeding stored forage in a heavy use area. Stockpile management, using electric net fencing, and winter sheep management will be the focus of a pasture walk hosted by Capital RC&D at the farm of Titus and Linda Martin in Spring Run, PA (Franklin County) on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. 

After retiring from dairy, Titus and Linda Martin starting working with small ruminants, starting with goats in 2011 and then sheep since that time. They graze 33 ewes and their lambs on approximately 30 acres of pasture. During winter, the Martin’s rely on 10 acres of stockpile forage that provides nutrition through February. The pasture walk will showcase how the Martin’s plan for, manage, and use stockpiled grass to achieve this goal each year. It will also focus on general winter management issues such as the effects of snow and ice on fencing. In addition, Swift Aeroseed will discuss aerial seeding and provide a demonstration using drone technology to overseed clover in the Martin’s pasture. 

There is no charge for the pasture walk but registration is requested by December 10, 2024 and can be made online at www.capitalrcd.org, via email to [email protected], or by calling 717-241-4361. 

This event is sponsored by Capital RC&D through partnership with the Mountains-to-Bay Grazing Alliance and with funding through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant. 
This material is based on work supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Assistance Agreement No. CB96358101) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, which promotes community-based efforts to develop conservation strategies to protect and restore the diverse natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay.

For more information contact Cheryl Burns at Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or via email.  

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Preparing for Late Winter Feeding
Natures Nook Farm Pasture Walk

(Carlisle, PA) – Autumn is an excellent time for graziers to assess their requirements for late winter feeding. It allows time for adjustments to livestock numbers and to identify alternate nutrition sources while there is an abundance available, which ultimately benefits both livestock and grazier. Preparing for late winter feeding in both single and multi-species grazing operations will be the primary topic at an upcoming pasture walk hosted by Capital RC&D at Natures Nook Farm in Newville, PA (Cumberland County) on Friday, October 18, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. 

Don and Lois Leatherman, and their daughter Lori Witmer, own and operate Natures Nook Farm in Newville, PA. Don transitioned the 96 acre farm from a conventional dairy to rotationally grazed beef operation in the early 1990’s and converted remaining crop acreage to pasture in 2001.  Lori joined the farm operation when her family returned to the farm in 2003. They increased the livestock diversity in 2005 by adding goats and again in 2023 with sheep. Today they raise approximately 19 goats, 100 sheep, and 30 beef cows and calves on 84 acres of pasture. 

The pasture walk will showcase how they utilize their available acreage to provide quality nutrition for their livestock into late winter through their lambing and calving season. Lori Witmer will be joined by Dave Hartman, PA GLC Program Director, and Titus Martin, Capital RC&D Grazing Advisor, who will lead discussion about land carrying capacity and assessing late winter feeding needs. 
There is no charge for the pasture walk but registration is requested by October 17, 2024 and can be made online at www.capitalrcd.org, via email to [email protected], or by calling 717-241-4361. 

This event is sponsored by Capital RC&D through partnership with the Mountains-to-Bay Grazing Alliance and with funding through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant. 
This material is based on work supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Assistance Agreement No. CB96358101) and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, which promotes community-based efforts to develop conservation strategies to protect and restore the diverse natural resources of the Chesapeake Bay.

For more information contact Cheryl Burns at Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or via email at [email protected].  

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Bison Pasture Roam
Pasture Walk at Dauphin County Bison Farm

(Carlisle, PA) – Finding a balance between farming and maintaining a full-time off-farm profession is an issue faced by many, especially when including the needs of livestock. One Dauphin county farmer, Duane Stroup, is managing this by implementing a rotational grazing system for bison. Bison are more self-sufficient and need considerably less direct attention than beef or dairy herds when provided with appropriate pasture and infrastructure, like fencing and watering systems. These improved infrastructure and grazing management techniques will be featured during a pasture walk hosted by Capital RC&D at Lykens Valley Bison in Millersburg, PA on June 9, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. 

Duane and Kimberly Stroup, along with their son Alexander, started Lykens Valley Bison in 2021 with a single paddock and have since expanded to approximately 50 acres of pasture. To help facilitate grazing their herd of 14 bison, they installed six-foot-tall, eight-strand, high tensile electrified fencing and a watering system that includes energy free waterers and frost-free hydrants that ensure year-round water access. 

The pasture walk will also highlight how the Stroups use a food truck to market their farm products including bison burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, and bison chili. The food truck will be on site to provide lunch following the pasture walk. 

There is no charge for the pasture walk and lunch is available for $10. Registration is requested by June 7, 2023 and can be made online at www.capitalrcd.org, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 717-241-4361. 

This event is sponsored by Capital RC&D through partnership with the Stroud Water Research Center and with funding through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed grant. 

For more information contact Cheryl Burns at Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or via email at [email protected].  

 Capital RC&D Receives USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant

(Carlisle, PA) – Capital RC&D was recently awarded a $73,943 grant from the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Innovation Grant program to demonstrate new soil carbon monitoring and management tools and technology on multiple farms in South Central Pennsylvania.  An associated goal is to measure the amount of carbon that can be sequestered by farmers for possible participation in carbon markets. 

During this three-year project, partners will work with participating farmers to implement soil health best management practices on crop and pasture land, and use planning tools including the USDA-NRCS Soil Health Management Plan (CPA 116) and COMET-Farm tool to estimate soil carbon increases from the practices. Actual soil carbon levels will be measured using innovative new in-field soil probes and lab processed soil samples. The soil probes will continuously monitor soil carbon, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, pH and soil temperature, and provide real-time feedback throughout the course of the project to farmers and partners. 

Project partners include Climate Smart Environmental Consulting LLC and EQT Corporation. Team Ag will provide agronomic consulting services.  When completed the project will demonstrate soil carbon measurement tools, evaluating data and assess supplemental uses of the soil probe such as providing documentation necessary to participate in carbon credit markets. 

To learn more about the project, partners, or Capital RC&D, visit www.capitalrcd.org/carbonmonitoring 
For more information contact Cheryl Burns at Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or via email at [email protected].  

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(Carlisle, PA) – The reduced vegetation in winter and early spring is not ideal for grazing but is great for planning changes to pasture layout. The winter environment simplifies the landscape and highlights natural features that make it easier for farmers to assess fields and pastures. Farmers can see existing fence rows, laneways, and water access points more clearly and consider additions or changes to pasture layout, fencing and water systems, and management techniques before the grazing season begins. Graziers can practice evaluating their acreage and updating their pasture layout using readily available pasture planning tools as part of a pasture walk for small ruminant graziers. The walk is hosted by Capital RC&D at the farm of Eli and Mackenzie Strawser, Top Line Meats, in Carlisle, PA on April 23, 2022 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
Eli and Mackenzie Strawser started Top Line Meats with twelve sheep in late 2019 and increased their total herd to approximately 100 sheep. Currently, the Strawsers graze 10 acres but they use an accelerated lambing program so only need to graze 50-60 mature ewes at a time. They are expanding their pasture in 2022 to include an additional 15 acres.
 
Capital RC&D grazing advisors assisted the Strawsers in considering options for the expansion, including using planning tools to help determine appropriate paddock size.
Ann Starbard, Capital RC&D Grazing Advisor and experienced dairy goat grazier, will join Eli and Mackensie Strawser in leading the April 23rd pasture walk. The Strawsers will share details about their farm business, existing pastures, and pasture expansion plans. Ann Starbard will guide participants in exercises to practice assessing existing fields and pasture and using tools like the Vermont Grazing Plan.
There is no charge for the pasture walk but registration is requested and can be made online at www.capitalrcd.org, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 717-241-4361- please leave a message for extension 15.
 
This event is sponsored by Capital RC&D through partnership with the Stroud Water Research Center and with funding through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed grant.
 
For more information contact Cheryl Burns at Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or via email at [email protected].  

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(Carlisle, PA) – Assessing pasture health can feel challenging any time but may be especially difficult when a pasture is stressed after being grazed through a long, hot summer. There are tools available that horse owners can use to determine pasture health and management techniques that can be adopted to improve the health and survival of pasture forages. These tools and techniques will be the focus of the equine pasture management field day hosted by Capital RC&D on Sat. Sept. 25, 2021 at Quodomine Veterinary Services, 70 Schoolhouse Road, Bloomsburg, PA from 9:30 AM until 12:30 PM. 
Dr. Linda Quodomine, DVM, event co-host and owner of Quodomine Veterinary Services will provide information about new protocols for parasite management. Donna Foulk, Grazing Advisor with Capital RC&D, will demonstrate how to evaluate pasture quality, will discuss the biology of forage growth and health, will highlight practices that can enhance forage survival, and will help participants identify major forages and weeds. She will be joined by Suzette Truax, Grazing Specialist with USDA-NRCS, who will focus on how to develop rotation grazing systems and heavy use areas that can be beneficial in maintaining forage survival throughout the year.  Suzette will also discuss resources that are available to make pasture improvements.
 There is no charge for the event but registration is requested and can be made online at www.capitalrcd.org, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 717-241-4361- please leave a message for extension 15.
 
This event is sponsored by Capital RC&D through partnership with the Stroud Water Research Center and with funding through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed grant.
 
For more information contact Cheryl Burns at Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or via email at [email protected]. 

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(Carlisle, PA) – Summer heat and reduced rainfall slows the growth of cool season pastures forcing graziers to compensate by adjusting grazing plans or using stored forage. Others find they can keep livestock on pasture longer by planting and grazing a multi-species summer annual cover crop. Summer annual cover crops can be used as part of a regular crop rotation or prior to converting to permanent pasture but require planning and infrastructure for successful implementation. The method, including benefits and necessary infrastructure, will be featured during a pasture walk hosted by Capital RC&D at the farm of Alan and Margaret Jaymes of Sylvan Angus, in Mercersburg, PA on July 13, 2021 from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
 
Alan and Margaret Jaymes raise cow calf pairs on approximate 70 grazable acres. They planted a multi-species summer annual cover crop for the first time in 2020 as part of Capital RC&D’s cover crop grazing initiative. Alan installed perimeter fencing and waterlines before planting and grazing a winter wheat cover crop, which was followed by a multi-species summer annual mix in June. “I pastured the summer annual two separate times and was in the midst of the third when we got frost. So, four rotations when in normal times we wouldn’t have had anything” Jaymes noted, “it was a tremendous success and we’re doing the same again this year.” Alan will share detail about the project and their grazing operation during the July 13th pasture walk, including pasture management, cover crop and pasture species selection, fencing, and their gravity watering system with solar well pump.
Technical advisors and researchers will be onsite to share detail about ongoing research and address specific questions.
 
There is no charge for the pasture walk but registration is requested and can be made online at www.capitalrcd.org, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 717-241-4361- please leave a message for extension 15.
 
Capital RC&D’s Promoting Grazing and Cover Cropping by Developing Better Practice Information, Outreach and Cost-sharing project, a collaboration between researchers from Penn State University, grazing specialists from USDA-NRCS, grazing advisors from Capital RC&D, and researchers from USDA-ARS, that is funded through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed grant.
 
For more information contact Cheryl Burns at Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or via email at [email protected].  

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(Carlisle, PA) – Fall planted cover crops can provide valuable nutrition for grazing livestock when used as part of a grazing system and regular crop rotation. Even though they are grazed, the cover crops will continue to provide soil health benefits by helping to reduce erosion, feed soil microbes and minimize weed pressure in the spring. Successfully integrating cover crop grazing is tied to development of infrastructure, such as perimeter fencing and watering systems, cover crop selection, crop rotation, and training livestock to a grazing system. These topics will be the focus of a pasture walk hosted by Capital RC&D at Kehr Acres in Adams County, Pennsylvania on May 20, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. 
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Kehr Acres is a crop and beef farm in Littlestown, PA, owned by Matt Kehr and his father David Kehr. They started grazing cover crops in 2020 as part of Capital RC&D’s cover crop grazing initiative, and this spring will graze their herd on a cover crop mix of fall planted rye, ryegrass, crimson clover, and hairy vetch prior to planting corn in June. Matt will share details about their cover crop mix, crop rotation, infrastructure choices and livestock training during the May 20th pasture walk. Technical advisors and researchers will be onsite to share detail about ongoing research and address specific questions.

An additional cover crop grazing pasture walk is scheduled for July 13, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM with Alan Jaymes, Sylvan Angus, in Mercerburg, PA (Little Cove Valley, Franklin County).
Registration is requested to meet appropriate physical distancing requirements and can be made online at www.capitalrcd.org, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 717-241-4361- please leave a message for extension 15.
 
Capital RC&D’s Promoting Grazing and Cover Cropping by Developing Better Practice Information, Outreach and Cost-sharing project, a collaboration between researchers from Penn State University, grazing specialists from USDA-NRCS, grazing advisors from Capital RC&D, and researchers from USDA-ARS, that is funded through a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed grant.
 
For more information contact Cheryl Burns at Capital RC&D at 717-241-4361 or via email at [email protected].