Conservation Practices

Explore how DarkSky lighting protects night skies, supports public safety, and benefits wildlife and ecosystems while learning practical strategies for responsible outdoor lighting.

One Pennsylvania consultant's field-driven approach to helping farmers navigate conservation programs and get projects across the finish line.

ACAP funding turns a long-deferred conservation decision into reality at Bridger Farm.

Advance your expertise in agricultural conservation through hands-on learning, expert insights, and invaluable connections—all designed to strengthen conservation efforts and impact.

ACAP funding helps a Crawford County sheep farmer build the infrastructure to do conservation right.

The Penn State Equine Pasture Evaluation Disc (EPED) can be used to document the concentration of weeds and desirable plants in pastures.

Growing Great Buffers is a series of short, helpful videos that describe step-by-step maintenance tasks needed for newly planted riparian buffers.

Due to the low levels of precipitation seen across region this spring, 7 Pennsylvania counties (Adams, Bedford, Fayette, Franklin, Fulton, Somerset, York) are eligible for USDA Natural Disaster assistance, as of April 23, 2026.

A Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training article about grassed waterways.

Connect with over 200 conservation professionals at ACAP Ag Conservation Con to grow skills, share ideas, and advance agricultural conservation across Pennsylvania.

During the spring, when regular precipitation keeps soils moist, it is important to monitor your grazing to avoid soil compaction, which can reduce the productivity and environmental functions of your fields.

These videos provide basic information on high tunnel structures and pointers for their installation.

A grazing dairy in southeastern Pennsylvania meets summer forage needs with annual warm season mixtures planted in a continuous no-till system.

This video describes basic questions about hazards associated with manure pits located beneath solid and slatted floor dairy barns that incorporates manure storage.

Foolish Freddie demonstrates the proper approach to working in and around manure storages. Sensible steps that must be taken to assure safe entry and working conditions are shown in scale model manure storage.

A scale model is used to show risks of working in an empty manure pit without taking at least four simple precautions to ensure safe entry.

ACAP closes a critical funding gap for a whole-farm conservation project in Wayne County.

A challenge that beef and dairy producers manage through is mud, which deteriorates soil health in areas of heavy use. A heavy use area pad prevents soil erosion, creating more sustainability.

This three-part series identifies resources that can be used by new or experienced farmers to guide them through the risk management planning process.

Sacrifice areas are areas where livestock are kept during inclement weather, or to protect pastures from damage.

Thoughtful selection of streamside trees and shrubs can have the added bonus of producing fruit, nuts, berries, or woody florals for profit or personal enjoyment.

A Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training fact sheet about using constructed trails and walkways to manage livestock movement, reduce erosion, stabilize walking surfaces, and support integrated conservation practices on farms.

A video guide to affordable and easy stream bank restoration using branch cuttings called live stakes.

There are many reasons to improve your horse pastures, like equine health and environmental quality. But how do you know if your pasture needs improvement? These videos will explain why and how to evaluate horse pastures.

A Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training fact sheet about using roof runoff structures to manage and channel rainwater and protect nearby surface water.