Student Interns Work on Identifying Ag BMP Opportunities

Student interns with the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT) are leveraging aerial imagery to identify opportunities for implementing conservation practices across select watersheds in Pennsylvania. These watersheds, identified by local conservation districts, serve as focal points for assessing potential practices such as riparian buffers, rotational grazing, and barnyard stormwater controls.  The protocol being used by the students was originally developed by Penn State's Agricultural and Environment Center (AEC) and adapted to specifically address agricultural best management practices.  Through analysis of publicly available map data, students can even detect features in the landscape that may not be noticeable from ground level. Their findings support the development of outreach strategies for conservation districts to prioritize future projects that improve water quality, reduce runoff, and enhance soil health.

This collaborative effort not only provides students with valuable hands-on experience but also strengthens the capacity of conservation districts to address environmental challenges at the watershed scale. The Center encourages any county conservation district interested in pursuing a similar project to contact Erin Trouba (ect5075@psu.edu), internship supervisor at the Center, for support. The team assists counties with aerial imagery analysis, mapping, and conservation planning tailored to their local needs. By continuing this initiative, CACAT aims to advance the implementation of projects funded by the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) and other efforts that enhance both agricultural productivity and water quality.