New Certification Program Expands Conservation Capacity in Pennsylvania

By Alexandra McLaughlin

Conservation district staff across Pennsylvania now have access to a new certification system aimed at increasing local capacity to implement agricultural conservation projects.

The launch of the Practice Approval System, or PAS, developed by the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission in partnership with the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training, administered by Penn State Extension, is intended to support more efficient and locally driven conservation efforts.

The system allows conservation district employees to design, review and approve conservation practices funded through the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program, or ACAP, that do not require certification by a registered professional engineer. Conservation professionals instead can work directly with farmers, reducing bottlenecks and moving projects forward more quickly.

A recent survey conducted at the center’s annual conference indicated strong support for the new system. District staff cited benefits such as “getting projects on the ground a lot faster,” “further education and career expansion,” and “the ability to do projects independently.”