Pennsylvania, with its extensive farmland comprising over a quarter of its total land area, hosts 52,700 farms. The majority, 88%, are small producers earning less than $250,000 in annual gross revenue.
To aid farmers in adopting conservation practices, federal Farm Bill conservation programs play a vital role. The upcoming 2023 Farm Bill presents a unique opportunity to allocate resources effectively in Pennsylvania. This funding would contribute to ensuring clean water availability for future generations, reducing pollution, enhancing climate change resilience, and maintaining farm profitability.
The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts (PACD), representing all 66 conservation districts in the state, strongly advocates for increased funding for state and federal conservation programs. These districts, local units of government, collaborate with landowners, local governments, and various partners to offer technical and financial assistance for natural resource conservation.
Through PACD-supported programs, Pennsylvania's producers have received nearly $46 million to implement environmentally beneficial best management practices (BMPs) across 155,658 acres through 733 contracts.
The success of conservation efforts relies on well-trained field staff efficiently utilizing tools and incentives to target the most effective practices and locations for restoration. Consequently, funding for technical assistance personnel at the local level through conservation districts is crucial in preserving both surface and groundwater resources.
In addition to farmland, Pennsylvania boasts vast forest lands, covering over 58% of its territory, with 11.5 million acres designated as non-industrial private forest lands. Forest Buffers and streamside trees are proven to be highly cost-effective BMPs for reducing pollution in rivers and streams. These measures also provide wildlife habitat, sequester carbon, and enhance stream resilience to floods and droughts.
Support for the health and resiliency of Pennsylvania's forests warrants funding in the 2023 Farm Bill. Another program, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), should also be prioritized to incentivize water quality improvements. Legislative changes that remove enrollment barriers and enable states to leverage program improvements will further strengthen the CREP initiative.
Join PACD in advocating for increased funding for these federal programs in the 2023 Farm Bill, which will benefit small family farms, landowners, and contribute to cleaner rivers and streams. Act by reaching out to your United States Representatives and Senators to express your support for this critical legislation.
Source : wisconsinagconnection.com