This collection of projects includes training, planning, and technology conversion assistance to farmers as they prioritize soil health thereby protecting water on their lands. Training sessions by the Pa. No-Till Alliance will be delivered to nearly 6,000 farmers, conservation professionals, and others. The biological principles of soil health — nurturing the microbes and other organisms that enhance soils — apply to achieving both healthy soils and healthy streams. Techniques deployed can include no-till planting, cover cropping, establishment of streamside forests, and other conservation practices. Targeted regions include farms along French Creek and the Shenango River in Pennsylvania; Berks County, Pennsylvania; and northern Virginia.
Funded by:
- 2023: Amazon Web Services; Blue Yak Foundation; Pa. State Conservation Commission; Pa. Department of Environmental Protection; and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
- 2017–2022: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Project Lead: Matthew J. Ehrhart
Collaborators:
- 2023: Cover Crop Coaching, LLC; Crawford County Conservation District; and Pa. No-Till Alliance
- 2017–2022: Pennsylvania No-Till Alliance; Cover Crop Coaching, LLC
Project Years: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
(Project details may change over the lifespan of a project. The project description listed here is from the annual report of the most recent project year.)
