The Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) Awards are given annually at the ACAP Ag Conservation Con.
View photos of the 2025 ACAP Award Recipients
The following awards are presented during an awards banquet and ceremony held at the yearly gathering of ag conservation professionals:
Karl Brown Award for Ag Conservation Leadership
This award recognizes a person or group who has demonstrated significant initiative in the field of ag conservation in Pennsylvania. This initiative may include advocacy for policies supporting agriculture and conservation, leadership roles in agricultural or environmental organizations, contributions to shaping local, regional, or national agricultural conservation policies, promoting collaborative and innovative solutions to ag conservation issues, and more.
ACAP Team Collaboration Award
The ACAP Team Collaboration Award honors the conservation district (or other ACAP-delegated entity) that has demonstrated outstanding teamwork within the ACAP process. This squad promotes teamwork through collaboration and cooperation, leading to an ACAP project's success. This group has consistently offered support and assistance to coworkers and ACAP applicants.
Partnership Award
The ACAP Partnership Award is presented to a qualified partnership between organizations demonstrating successful teamwork and collaboration on ACAP projects. This dynamic cadre excels at implementing ACAP projects together.
Innovative ACAP Project Award
Sometimes success depends on unconventional or pioneering thinking. The Innovative ACAP Project Award is bestowed upon a project showcasing inspired and creative thinking to solve resource concerns while using ACAP funds to install best management practices. Innovative thinking can include but is not limited to funding strategies, BMP selection and implementation, and creative engineering.
Rookie of the Year
The Rookie of the Year has demonstrated exceptional work implementing and promoting ACAP over the past year. This individual has exhibited hard work and dedication toward addressing agricultural resource concerns using ACAP and has taken the initiative to learn their job within their first year. This individual effectively communicates with partners and builds trust in their local community.
ACAP MVP Award
The ACAP MVP Award is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional promotion and implementation of ACAP throughout the past year. They have demonstrated hard work and dedication toward addressing agricultural resource concerns by using ACAP and its funding. They effectively communicate with partners and build trust within their local communities.
Best ACAP Project Photo Award
Tap into your creativity to showcase your best ACAP project photo to be judged by your peers at the ACAP Ag Conservation Con. Photos will be printed and mounted on foam core, ready for display in your home county.
Award Nominations
Award nominations are closed for all categories and will reopen in 2026. All nominations received are considered, with winners selected by a panel. The exception is Best ACAP Photo, which is judged and chosen by conference attendee vote. The awards panel may consider other categories based on the information included in each nomination.
An optional letter of support from a farmer, colleague, and/or other partner in the agricultural conservation sector may accompany each award nomination. Individuals may nominate themselves or someone else.
