PA grant helps farmer stop manure pollution

By Blake Jackson

Cumberland County beef farmer Greg Strayer has successfully implemented a crucial environmental project on his farm, preventing liquid manure runoff into Conodoguinet Creek. With the support of Pennsylvania's Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) and Clean Streams Fund (CSF), funded by the American Rescue Plan, Strayer constructed a 185,000-gallon storage unit, costing $100,000. The CSF allocated $154 million to ACAP for local agricultural practices aimed at reducing polluted runoff.

Strayer, also a full-time law enforcement professional, received 90% cost-share funds, totaling $111,000, through ACAP administered by Cumberland County Conservation District (CCCD). This initiative not only addresses environmental concerns but aligns with Governor Shapiro's commitment to reduce permit backlogs, fostering transparency in funding distribution.

ACAP's impact extends beyond Strayer's farm, as CCCD has received $3.5 million for technical and administrative assistance, with $2.8 million designated for local projects. Carl Goshorn, Conservation District Manager, highlights ACAP's role in enabling farmers to implement best practices they might otherwise afford, thereby improving water quality efficiently.

The SCC, responsible for distributing ACAP funds across all Pennsylvania counties, reports that $140 million of the $154 million have been committed to projects like Strayer's, reducing nutrient and sediment pollution. The SCC's statistics reveal progress, with 217 contracted, 92 active, and 21 completed projects out of 366 approved applications.

Strayer's farm, which spans 116 acres in Shippensburg, exemplifies sustainable farming practices beyond the new manure storage area. Engaged in the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Conservation Stewardship Program and collaborating with CBF for streamside buffer trees, Strayer is committed to balancing resource use with conservation.

The success of ACAP and CSF underscores collaborative efforts between environmental organizations, the Farm Bureau, and legislative support from State Senator Gene Yaw. Strayer sees this initiative not only to preserve his family farm but as a testament to the effectiveness of government-supported environmental programs at the grassroots level.

Photo Credit: environment-protection-agency