2. 
Farmers viewing environmental improvements
as advantageous for their business

District’s better understanding of the
economics of agriculture
› What matters to the farmer?
 Labor
 Energy
 Food Price
 Raw Material Costs
 Food Safety
 Weather



 Conservation/Environment

3. 
Educating Farmers
› Minimal attendance or same attendees at Annual
Meetings
› Difficulty differentiating agencies’ personnel

Funding/Grants
› Districts receive limited dedicated funds
 Need $ for BMPs
 Long-Term/Consistent Funding for Staff
 Spending time on grant applications and then money is
not awarded
› Without an economic benefit to farmer, grant
money will be needed. Few people spend a
significant amount of money on the environment for
altruistic reasons

4. 
Obtaining Permits to construct BMPs
› General Permits (GP) from PA DEP
 EV & HQ Watershed require Joint/Individual Permits
 New Fee Schedule
› Frustrating because BMPs are for environmental
improvements

Township Relationships
› Zoning Ordinances inhibiting BMP installation

Communication w/ Contractors
› Choosing the correct time to
install BMPs

5. 
Long-Term Maintenance of BMPs
› Farmers need to take ownership of practices
› Importance of ‘Cost-Share’ Funding

Establishing Relationships and Clear Presence in
the Community
› Takes time and need an experienced staff
› Traditionally high turnover rates at the Districts
› Complexity of dealing with Amish community

Changing Laws/Regulations

Enforcement
› Level 2 District

6. 
Successful Grant Applications
› Has allowed for significant conservation to
be accomplished
 i.e. PennVEST ($6,779,368)

Establishing Relationships
› Staying in contact with farmers through
frequent communication

Partnerships
› PA DEP, NRCS, CBF, Stroud, United Water

7. 
Preserved Farms
› Required to have a Conservation Plan and
Annual Status Reviews
› Avenue for achieving more conservation

Identifying Agriculture as the
‘Solution’ and not the
‘Problem’

8. 
Education
› DEP 100 Visits: Face-to-face meetings with
landowners/farmers to communicate their
regulatory requirements
 One-on-one interactions are most effective
 Small community outreach
 Offer pesticide credits

Funding
› Dedicated Ag Staff Grant Specialist
 Work in conjunction with the Watershed Specialist

Long-Term Maintenance of BMPs
› Increase frequency of Status Reviews
› Continuing education on O&M

9. 
Establishing Relationships and Clear
Presence in the Community
› More competitive salaries and greater
incentives in order to prevent turnover
 Difficult in County payroll structure

Enforcement through other Avenues
› PA Fish and Boat Commission??

‘Farmer of the Year’ Award from the
District

10. **PowerPoint will be posted on the
CCCD website:
www.chesco.org/conservation

General Information:
› Chris Strohmaier
› cstrohmaier@chesco.org
› (610) 925-4920 x 111

Mushroom/Ag Information:
› Adam Mowery
› amowery@chesco.org
› (610) 925-4920 x 116