A dirt road running through an agricultural field towards a forested area

Pike County Conservation District > Programs & Services > Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP)

Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP)

The Pike County Conservation District (District) is happy to announce there is funding available to farmers to install best management practices on their farm in Pike County.

The District has signed an agreement with the State Conservation Commission to administer the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). The program was created through the Clean Streams Fund established by Pennsylvania State Budget in 2022. ACAP provides financial and technical assistance for the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations.

These funds will be used to reduce non-point source pollution in streams, rivers, and waterbodies in Pike County. This is a grant reimbursement program and any person or legal entity that has legal or financial responsibility for either an agricultural operation in which they are engaged or property on which an agricultural operation takes place can apply.

The project must implement a Best Management Practice (BMP) or combination of BMPs, identified in an agricultural operation’s agricultural erosion and sediment control plan, conservation plan, manure management plan, or nutrient management plan, which is necessary to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution from the agricultural operation and meets the criteria established by the State Conservation Commission.

All applicants must first meet with District staff to discuss the project prior to submission. For a list of eligible BMPs and costs, please contact the District office to speak with staff regarding your project at 570-226-8220.

Submitted applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Close up of a group of cows grazing in a field with an old wooden barn in the background

Resources to Begin an Application:

The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (Penn State Extension)

Eligible Best Management Practices (BMPs) List

PCCD ACAP Application Packet

PCCD ACAP Policy

State Conservation Commission ACAP Guidelines

An illustration of rain falling into puddles on the ground
FACT

We all live downstream. Our water quality is directly affected by our upstream neighbors, and our choices will impact the water quality for our downstream neighbors.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
  • Minimize impervious surfaces.
  • Do not remove trees and other plants next to streams, lakes and wetlands.
  • Plant native plants to absorb heavy rain falls.
  • Direct rain gutters onto lawn or garden.
  • Construct rain gardens and use rain barrels.