By Blake Jackson
Penn State Extension has received national recognition from the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals for developing an educational resource that helps farmers and conservation professionals identify funding opportunities for agricultural conservation projects.
The publication, “Agricultural Conservation Funding Guide for Pennsylvania: A Resource Guide for Best Management Practices (BMPs),” earned the Bronze Award for Long Publication in the Outstanding Educational Materials Awards category.
The guide was created by Dana Flowers and Genevieve Christ, extension educators with Penn State Extension’s Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training, along with Eric Cromer, conservation program specialist with the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission.
The award honors educational materials that demonstrate innovation, practical value, and meaningful impact. It was presented during the association’s annual conference held May 12-15 in Wilmington, North Carolina, where Penn State Extension educator Erin Trouba accepted the recognition on behalf of the authors.
Designed as a practical reference, the guide brings together state, federal, and nonprofit conservation funding programs into a single resource, making it easier for users to locate financial assistance for projects that support soil health and water quality.
“The guide is a practical way to quickly reference a variety of different funding sources,” Christ said. “This helps farmers, landowners and conservation professionals gain a more thorough understanding of the available funding sources.”
“Our hope is that users come away with a clearer understanding of the conservation funding landscape in Pennsylvania and greater confidence in pursuing projects that benefit both their farms and natural resources,” Flowers said.
Photo Credit: penn-state-college-of-ag-sciences
Categories: Pennsylvania, Education