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EARP: A Shortcut for Conservation Project Success

EARP connects you with the right resource so you can keep conservation work moving forward without burning out your team.

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Updated:

October 1, 2025

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CACAT staff and conservation district personnel conducting a site evaluation.

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Let's be honest: conservation projects don't fail because people don't care. Projects stall because details get messy. Plans are outdated, budgets are fuzzy, or you just need an engineer…yesterday. That's exactly why the Engineering Assistance Request Program (EARP) exists.

EARP is run through Penn State Extension's Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT) and backed by ACAP funding. The program is designed to help districts cut through the clutter and keep projects moving forward. According to Kayli Rentzel, Ag & Civil Engineering educator with CACAT, "The Engineering Assistance Request Program is a great way for conservation districts to get ACAP projects on the ground. Whether they just need a design review or funding support, the program is removing barriers and making conservation happen."

What You Can Get (a.k.a. the Good Stuff!)

ACAP Site Visits – When you don't have enough (or current) documentation.
ACAP Project Proposals – Solid, detailed proposals that give you real numbers you can actually use. Think of them like NRCS I&E (Inventory and Evaluation) reports, but tailored to ACAP.
Conservation Practice Design – Hands-on design support for contracted projects and a built-in training opportunity for district staff.
Other Tools in the Toolbox – Document reviews, surveying, practice checkout documents — the things that make projects smoother but often eat up your time.

And when things get complex or workloads pile up? EARP can even fund contracted engineering services on a limited, rolling basis. That means project plans, bid and contract documents, construction oversight, checkout documentation, and more.

Why Bother?

Because your job is to get projects done, not spin your wheels. EARP connects you with the right resource (CACAT staff, partners, or private engineers) so you can keep conservation work moving forward without burning out your team.

Since December 2024, districts across Pennsylvania have submitted 32 engineering assistance requests through EARP. Each request reflects a real project challenge, and together they show how the program is helping conservation staff navigate concerns and keep momentum on the ground.

At the end of the day, conservation projects protect our land, water, and the future of farms in the Commonwealth. However, getting from a "good idea" to a "finished project" takes more than just good intentions. EARP is here to connect you with the right expertise so your projects can succeed without extra stress.