The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training

The mission of the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training is to help farmers, ag landowners, and conservation professionals implement best practices, ensure the health of land and water in our communities, and leverage funding and partnerships.

The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training at Penn State Extension was formed in 2023 along with partners at the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission (SCC) and the Pennsylvania State Office of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Funding for the center is provided through the state Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP).

Online Courses

Ag101: Introduction to Agriculture

Learn the basics of farms and farming, including crops, livestock, and natural resources, common to Pennsylvania and other Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states.

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Ag Conservation Currents: News that Infiltrates and Transpires has the latest ag conservation news along with information on publications, videos, and online and in-person events. This monthly newsletter covers topics like ag literacy, soil and water health practices, and administration and funding of conservation practices in Pennsylvania.

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Featured Videos

Videos

Young Forests Are Great Wildlife Habitat

By Sanford S. Smith, Ph.D.

Length 3:54

Forests are important habitat for wildlife, and young forests are particularly critical for many species. They provide food, shelter and cover that is increasing rare.

Videos

What Are Riparian Buffers?

By Jodi Sulpizio

Length 5:45

Establishing vegetated areas, or riparian buffers, next to streams and rivers will help absorb stormwater pollutants before they enter the waterway. Learn more about riparian buffer benefits by watching this video.

Cover crops are an important soil health building component of organic crop rotations. Image credit: Imtiaz Ahmad, Penn State

Videos

Farmer-to-Farmer Case Study

By Kristy Borrelli, Ph.D.

Six videos featuring two certified organic and one transitioning farms provide farmer perspectives and approaches to managing soil health.

Videos

Woodland Wisdom Part 3: Wildlife Habitat Enhancement

By Sanford S. Smith, Ph.D., Calvin Norman

Length 3:31

This video provides basics about wildlife habitat enhancement. It covers plant diversity, forest structure, food and water for wildlife, and sources of professional assistance.

Videos

Tree Shelter Cages for Streamside Plantings Protect Trees

By Tyler A. Groh, Ph.D., Sanford S. Smith, Ph.D.

Length 3:00

Tree shelter cages constructed with metal garden fencing help protect newly planted tree and shrub seedlings from wildlife damage and other problems such as overheating, and wind knock-over sometimes associated with plastic tree tubes.

Videos

Poultry Houses - Biosecurity

By John Boney, Gino Lorenzoni, Eileen E. Fabian (Wheeler), Ph.D., Dan Hofstetter

Length 5:27

Minimizing introduction and spread of potentially harmful organisms is critical on commercial poultry farms. This video demonstrates how to safely bring a visitor onto the premises.

Videos

Understanding Forest "Regeneration"

By Sanford S. Smith, Ph.D.

Length 2:30

Forest "Regeneration" is an important word to know. It has two meanings that are related but different. It is a process observed by looking down in the woods, and it is the future forest.

Videos

Transitioning to Organic Crop Production

By Anna Hodgson

Length 5:30

Learn the basics of how to transition your farm to organic crop production.

Hemp for CBD Extraction Growing in Lancaster County, PA (Photo: Jeff Graybill)

Videos

CBD Hemp: Research, Production, Harvest, and Processing

By Jeffrey S Graybill, Francesco Di Gioia, Ph. D., Alyssa Collins, Ph.D.

Industrial hemp is reported to have hundreds, if not thousands of uses. Penn State Extension educators spend some time with growers on their farms looking at hemp growing for CBD extraction.

Videos

Japanese Stiltgrass: Accurate Identification

By David R. Jackson

Length 4:11

Learn the distinguishing characteristics to help you accurately identify the invasive Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum).

Videos

Baleage

By Jessica A. Williamson, Ph.D.

Length 5:21

Baleage is a fermented forage produced at a higher moisture content than dry hay. Careful steps are needed to ensure the forage is produced in a way that preserves its quality.

Videos

Managed Grazing to Reduce Parasites in Lambs on Pasture

By Tara L. Felix

Length 6:54

Sheep producers struggle daily with anthelmintic resistance and the impact this resistance has on flock productivity and health. Managed grazing strategies may be one way to reduce reliance on anthelmintics to combat growing resistance concerns.

Videos

Grain Bin Safety Rescue

By Stephen Brown

Length 14:36

This video highlights the top hazards that can be found while working around grain and discusses best practices for promoting safety.

Videos

Agriculture: Working for You

By Jennifer R Fetter, Capri Stiles-Mikesell, Ruthann Sitko, Phillip Hoy, Chelsea Hill, Melanie Barkley, Nicole Santangelo Thompson, Cassie Yost, Christi (Graver) Powell, Stephenie Coffman

Learn more about the essential role agriculture plays in bringing food, fiber, and more to your lives!

Videos

Small Grain Growth and Development in Central Pennsylvania: Fields are Getting Closer to Anthesis

By Paul D. Esker

Length 4:53

In this video, Dr. Paul Esker, Penn State Extension Field Crops Plant Pathologist tells us about the current growth stages in small grains, focusing on barley and winter wheat.

Videos

Should You Raise Poultry?

By Emily Shoop

Length 5:51

Raising poultry has become a popular hobby, but there are things to consider before you commit. Learn what it takes to raise poultry in your backyard.

Videos

Check Your Small Grain Growth Stage For Management Decisions

By Paul D. Esker

Length 9:07

Crop management decisions are based on knowledge of the crop development stage. Here are some tips to know the growth stages in small grains.

Videos

Manure Incorporation in No-Till Systems

By Leon Ressler

Length 5:48

Manure injection conserves the benefits of no-till while reducing soluble phosphorus in runoff caused by high phosphorus concentrations at the soil surface. Less odor and decreases in nitrogen losses are additional benefits.

Videos

A Simplified Approach to Assessing Risk

By Linda Falcone, Lynn Kime

This three-part series identifies resources that can be used by new or experienced farmers to guide them through the risk management planning process.

Forested riparian buffer. Photo: Matt Kofroth, Lancaster County Conservation District

Videos

Growing Great Buffers

By Jennifer R Fetter

Growing Great Buffers is a series of short, helpful videos that describe step-by-step maintenance tasks needed for newly planted riparian buffers.

Optimize Your Business

Guides and Publications

Dairy Records Analysis Guide

This publication examines the critical areas on a DHI-202 report to evaluate various performance areas on the farm. The examples provided illustrate the potential impact on financial metrics.

Starting at $4.00

Articles

A Long-Term Mindset for Reproductive Management

By Andrew Sandeen, Andrew Sandeen

Reproductive management is a critical component of a dairy operation, requiring a long-term mindset to be effective and successful.

Articles

Are You Hiring the Right People at Your Dairy?

By Lisa A. Holden

Job descriptions provide the foundation for building strong human resource management practices into the day-to-day management of a dairy farm business.

Resources and Programs

ACAP Documents for Conservation Districts
For conservation district staff. Downloadable documents and templates for use in the Ag Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP).
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ACAP Reporting Tool
The ACAP GIS reporting tool is a spatial database used to catalog in progress and completed conservation best management practices funded by ACAP.
Read More
Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP)
ACAP provides financial and technical assistance for the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations within the Commonwealth.
Read More
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
NRCS and our Conservation Partners work together to conserve, maintain and improve natural resources while meeting our customers' needs.
Read More
PA OneStop: Farm Planning System
PA OneStop provides reliable online mapping and planning tools to help farmers meet requirements for Agricultural Erosion and Sedimentation Control Planning, Manure Management Planning, and Nutrient Management Planning.
Read More
Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center
The Penn State Agriculture and Environment Center (AEC) is focused on solving today’s water quality challenges related to the impacts of land use and land management.
Read More
Pennsylvania Nutrient Management Program
This program provides a comprehensive source of information about the Nutrient Management Act (Act 38, 2005), and associated technical guidance and educational information.
Read More

Conservation Practices and Training