Cassilyn Schweighofer and Erik Roneker of Twin Brooks Farms are pictured with their daughter, Gemma. Photo Credit: Jesse Bussard

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Aging Infrastructure, Growing Challenges

In the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania, just miles from the New York border,Twin Brook Farmssits within the Delaware River Basin. For Cassilyn Schweighofer and ErikRoneker, seventh-generation stewards of the Tyler Hill farm, protecting land and water has always been a priority. But aging infrastructure and escalating costs made that goal increasingly difficult to achieve.

For years, the farm's antiquated barnyard—originally constructed decades ago—posed significant challenges. The concrete area, used for wintering sheep and stacking manure, tended to flood during major rain events. In extreme cases, water levels rose by more than 3 feet, inundating the barnyard and pushing nutrient-laden runoff toward the North Branch of Calkins Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River watershed.

"It defeated the purpose of doing any manure stacking," Schweighofer explained, recalling how floodwaters could overwhelm the system and force emergency responses. At times, manure had to be spread ahead of forecasted storms simply to prevent it from washing into nearby surface waters.

The infrastructure no longer matched the scale or complexity of the farm's mixed-species grazing operation, which includes cattle, sheep, and goats across more than 700 acres. During the six winter months when grazing is not possible, livestock require shelter and reliable water access. Previously, cattle often relied on streams or natural water sources, increasing the risk of erosion and nutrient runoff.

The result was a cycle of reactive management—responding to mud, flooding, and weather events—rather than proactively managing nutrients, livestock health, and water quality.

A Whole-Farm Conservation Approach

Working with theWayne Conservation Districtand theNatural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Twin Brook Farmscompleteda comprehensive conservation plan designed to address every major resource concern on the property.

Aerial view of the finished livestock facility situated near fenced pasture and a nearby stream corridor. — The new facility sits within a broader conservation system that includes streambank fencing and rotational grazing infrastructure. Photo credit: William Hynes

Thefinishedproject included:

25,000 square feetof combined manure storage and roofed heavy-use area, engineered by NRCS
12,000 linear feet of streambank fencing
480 square feet of managed stream crossings
2,400 feetof stabilized animal trails and walkways
200 feet of heavy-use access road
174 acresof prescribed grazing
6,000 linear feet of livestock pipeline
A solar-powered pumping plant and drilled well
Pasture watering facilities and storage tanks for summer and winter use
700 feet of subsurface drain and 680 feet of underground outlet
500 linear feet of roof runoff structure
Conservation cover and mulching on half an acre
Critical area pollinator planting on half an acre

At the heart of the project is the new heavy-use area and manure storage facility, whichcontainsnutrients during winter confinement, prevents runoff, and allows manure to be applied to fields when agronomicallyappropriate ratherthan in emergency situations.

Interior view of a large timber-framed livestock facility with feeding lanes and concrete flooring. — The heavy-use area's interior includes feeding lanes and reinforced flooring to improve animal management and manure containment. Photo credit: William Hynes

"Essentially, the idea is to contain all the nutrients in the wintertime,"Ronekersaid, emphasizing the importance of keeping animals comfortable while preventing environmental degradation.

Two lambs standing beside a green livestock waterer inside the heavy use area. — Off-stream watering systems provide clean drinking water for livestock while protecting nearby High Quality waters. Photo credit: William Hynes

The installation of streambank fencing and off-stream watering systems further reduces livestock access to waterways. The solar pumping system stores water during the day for nighttime use, while a gravity-fed tank system supplies remote pastures.These improvementsnowsupport rotational grazing across174 acresandhaveeliminatedthe need for cattle to enter streams for drinking water.

The changes directlybenefita nearby streamdesignatedby thePennsylvania Department of Environmental Protectionas High Quality, waters that require heightened protection to maintain their ecological status.

The Funding Puzzle

Bringing the project to liferequiredassembling multiple funding sources over several years.

Schweighofer first signed an NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contract in 2018, securing approximately $450,000 toward the effort. A Growing Greener grant addednearly $300,000in 2022. But as construction costs rose sharply in the post-COVID economy, estimates ballooned fromroughly $650,000to more than $1.3 million.

"Just the price difference between when she started and when we got bids is $600,000," said Jamie Knecht, District Manager for the Wayne Conservation District.

Aerial view of a roofed heavy use area and manure storage facility under construction at Twin Brook Farms, surrounded by pastureland. — An aerial view of the 25,000-square-foot roofed heavy-use area and manure storage facility while it was under construction at Twin Brook Farms in Wayne County. Photo credit: William Hynes

For farms in the Delaware River Basin, conservation funding has historically lagged behind opportunities available in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. That changed with the launch of the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), which provided flexible, locally administered funding to close critical gaps.

For Twin Brook Farms, ACAP supplied $536,980.03—funding that proved essential to completing the project.

Total project value:$1,370,642.59

ACAP: $536,980.03
NRCS EQIP: $449,997.00
DEP Growing Greener: $299,995.00
Landowner contribution: $83,670.56

Schweighofer described ACAP as "a godsend," noting that its flexibility and local administration allowed the project to move forward when other programs could not.

Knecht agreed, describing ACAP as the missing puzzle piece that allowed conservation districts to round out complex funding packages and keep projectsviable.

Exterior view of the newly constructed livestock facility with open sidewalls and a concrete foundation. — The completed heavy-use area provides covered winter space for livestock while preventing nutrient runoff during wet weather. Photo credit: William Hynes

From Emergency Response to Intentional Stewardship

Now that construction is complete, the long-term impact is clear.

Long interior view of the livestock facility with feeding stations on both sides of a central aisle. — The completed facility allows for efficient feeding, improved livestock handling, and better manure management. Photo credit: William Hynes

The new heavy-use areaeliminatesthe winter flooding and nutrient runoff risks that once dominated daily decision-making. Livestock nowspendwinter months in dry, stable conditions. Manure can be stored safely and applied when crops need nutrients, rather than ahead of storms. Off-stream watering systems reduce erosion and protect riparian buffers.

Cattle standing inside a roofed heavy use area with timber framing and open sides. — Cattle now spend winter months in a dry, stable environment designed to contain nutrients and reduce erosion. Photo credit: William Hynes

Sheep gathered around hay inside a roofed heavy use area with concrete walls and bedding. — Sheep winter comfortably inside the new heavy-use area, where improved footing and manure management protect both livestock health and nearby waterways. Photo credit: William Hynes

Perhaps justas important, the project gives the farmers time—time previously consumed by managing mud, moving animals repeatedly for water access, and reacting to weather threats.

"We constantly felt like we were tackling emergency situations instead of dealing with agriculture as a business," Schweighofer reflected.

Now, with modern infrastructure in place, Twin Brook Farm can focus on refining grazing systems, improvinglivestock performance, and maintaining high environmental standards.

Investing in Farms, Protecting the Future

In Wayne County, where the average farmer age approaches 60 and infrastructure is often decades old, the ability to modernize is critical. Without sustained conservation investment, producers face difficult choices about downsizing, selling land, or leaving agriculture altogether.

View of the livestock facility under construction on a hillside, framed by trees in the foreground. — The completed heavy-use area is nestled into the hillside at Twin Brook Farms. Photo credit: William Hynes

For Twin Brook Farms, the combination of local district leadership, federal and state funding programs, and farmer commitment made a transformational project possible. The improvements safeguard High Quality waters in the Delaware Basin while strengthening the long-term resilience of a working grazing operation.

"When you see a farm like Twin Brook commit to long-term stewardship, it reminds us why conservation matters," said Jennifer Fetter, director of Penn State Extension's Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT). "CACAT is honored to support the professionals and producers who turn big ideas into cleaner water, healthier farms, and stronger communities."

The projectrepresentsmore than a construction milestone. It marks a shift—from reacting to environmental challenges to designing systems that prevent them.

For Schweighofer andRoneker, that shift means fewer winter emergencies, healthier animals, cleaner water, and a farm positioned to serve both its community and its watershed for generations to come.

This article is a companion piece to the Northeast PA ACAP Farmer Success Story video featuring Twin Brooks Farms, included below. This article and the video were produced in collaboration with the Penn State Extension Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT).