Active collaboration ensures that ag conservation technical assistance is provided by all partners in a way that meets program goals, efficiently addresses inadequate practices (resource concerns), and meets landowners' objectives.
In 2023, Penn State, the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, and USDA-NRCS entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen the cooperation between these organizations and establish a general framework and understanding of how the partners will jointly support technical assistance needs for implementing State and Federal funding targeted toward conservation initiatives within Pennsylvania. The Partners in Ag Conservation Excellence (PACE) was formed as a result.
Goals of PACE
PACE is committed to working collaboratively to meet the following needs in Pennsylvania:
- Best management practices for conservation are needed to address environmental concerns within Pennsylvania.
- Pennsylvania conservation professionals need to be prepared to oversee the planning, design, construction, certification, and or verification of agricultural best management practices with a focus on creating, enhancing, and sustaining technical capacity.
- Funding sources should be coordinated to support efficient conservation implementation in Pennsylvania.
- Quality control systems are needed to ensure completed work products continue to meet program goals, landowner objectives, Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG) conservation practice standards, and other State Conservation Commission board-approved standards.
- Education and innovation should be fostered to continue growing the capacity of existing agricultural conservation professionals, practices, and funding programs.
- Momentum to customers (farmers, conservation organizations, private consultants, etc.) should be maintained by publishing science-based information and targeted outreach to diverse communities. Consistent and regular training is necessary to ensure a professional technical workforce in agricultural conservation.
Technical Assistance through PACE:
Financial support from NRCS, SCC, and DEP Growing Greener makes it possible for PACD to offer technical assistance to ag conservation projects and conservation planning. For more information, contact Amy Brown at PACD.
The committee guiding PACE includes:
- Doug Wolfgang - PA State Conservation Commission
- Denise Coleman - Pennsylvania NRCS
- Jennifer Fetter - Penn State Extension, Center for Ag Conservation Assistance Training
- Justin Challenger - PA State Conservation Commission
- Amy Brown - PA Association of Conservation Districts
- Tim Peters - Pennsylvania NRCS
- Dan Ludwig - Pennsylvania NRCS
