This document discusses efforts by farmers and organizations in Pennsylvania to improve soil health and reduce pollution in waterways. It notes that Lancaster County has the most impaired streams in the state and farmers are working to address issues related to manure importation and pollution limits. It also states that Pennsylvania leads the nation in cover crop adoption and lists partnerships and outreach activities of the Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance, including field days, meetings, speakers, and a farmer mentoring program to promote soil health best practices.

1. Farmers Improving Soil Health
SWCS International Conference
July 28, 2019
Farmers moving the bar
towards cleaner water

2. Farmers Improving Soil Health
Hershey Farms
Elizabethtown, PA

3. Farmers Improving Soil Health
Challenges related to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
• Lancaster County has
longest list of impaired
streams in Pennsylvania
• Importing manure from
Maryland
• WIP III Program
• Millions of dollars in grants
to implement BMP

4. Farmers Improving Soil Health
Pennsylvania leads the nation in cover crop adoption

5. Farmers Improving Soil Health
PA No-Till Alliance Board

6. Farmers Improving Soil Health

7. Farmers Improving Soil Health

8. Farmers Improving Soil Health

9. Farmers Improving Soil Health

10. Farmers Improving Soil Health
• Stroud Water Research
• National Fish & Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
• Growing Greener (GG)
Outreach Support

11. Farmers Improving Soil Health
• Summer Soil Health Field Days
• SE Pennsylvania – Butler County
Activities

12. Farmers Improving Soil Health
• Winter Soil Health Meeting
• SE & Western Pennsylvania
Activities

13. Farmers Improving Soil Health
• Provide speakers to Conservation District Meetings
throughout the state (no charge)
• Participate at Penn State Ag Progress Days – 3 day
outdoor event
• Partnered with Stroud to produce a video “Lay of
the Land” (available on YouTube)
• Farmer to Farmer mentoring program
• Town hall meetings
• Board members serve on State and County
conservations boards, WIP committees, Local Ag
Advisory Boards and more
Activities

14. Farmers Improving Soil Health
Two most important resource: Our
Water and ……

15. Farmers Improving Soil Health
…..and our soil

16. Farmers Improving Soil Health
• Jim Hershey, President PA No-Till Alliance
• Elizabethtown, PA
• 717-689-0235
• Jim.Hershey@yahoo.com
Contact Information