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Agricultural Assistance

Agricultural Assistance

Agriculture is one of the most important industries in Adams County. The Adams County Conservation District provides technical assistance through a variety of programs to help farmers implement best management practices to help improve water quality.


Planning assistance is available to identify resource concerns and develop a plan of action to address those concerns. Assistance is also available for proposed projects that implement planned Best Management Practices from an Agricultural Erosion and Sedimentation Plan, Conservation Plan, Nutrient Management Plan, or a Manure Management Plan that has been developed for an agricultural operation.

Contact

Adams County Conservation District
670 Old Harrisburg Rd
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Phone: 717-334-0636

8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

District Home



Agricultural Compliance

All agricultural landowners and operators in Pennsylvania are required by law to have at minimum Ag Erosion and Sediment Control plans and/or Manure Management Plans (MMP). 

These plans need to be current and accurate and be implemented for you to be in compliance with the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law. Manure Management Plans do not need to be submitted and approved, but a MMP needs to be kept on site.


Pennsylvania's Required Agricultural Plans

Manure Management Plans or Nutrient Management Plans

If you have livestock (including pet horses, backyard chickens, or 4-H animals) or apply manure, Pennsylvania State law (since 1985) requires a written Manure Management Plan (MMP). 


If you have higher animal numbers or an animal density over 2,000 lbs of animal weight per acre receiving manure, you may be a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) or a Concentrated Animal Operation (CAO) and need a Nutrient Management Plan. Penn State Extension provides additional information to determine if your operation may be a CAFO or CAO. 

Is My Operation A CAFO?


Agricultural Erosion & Sediment Control Plans

If plowing, tilling, or planting (including no-till planting) occur on over 5,000 square feet of your property or farm, Pennsylvania State law (since 1972) requires a written Agricultural Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (Ag E&S Plan). Animal Heavy Use Areas, which are unvegetated areas in pastures or barnyards, are also required to be covered in Ag E&S Plans if the size is 5,000 square feet or more.


How Can I Get Agricultural Plans?


Hire a private consultant to write the plan

The PA Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Plant Industry offers a Service Area Search providing a list of planners that can write Manure Management Plans and/or Agricultural Erosion and Sediment Control Plans. 


Search Instructions: 

  • At the top of the page in the "Program Type" drop-down, select “Nutrient Management Specialist” 
  • At the bottom of the page under "Specialist Service Areas", check the box next to Adams 
  • Click search.
Nutrient Management Service Area Search


Write the plan yourself

Consider the size and complexity of your operation before you decide to take this route. If you are a CAFO or CAO, you cannot write your own Nutrient Management Plan, and a certified nutrient management planner must write the Nutrient Management Plan


Templates and Manuals

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) produces manuals with instructions and fillable templates for writing Ag E&S Plans and Manure Management Plans. The manuals are available online through PA DEP’s website and in the Conservation District office. 

  • Information about Ag E&S Plans and the templates can be found on PA DEP’s Agriculture Erosion and Sediment Control webpage. 
  • Information about Manure Management Plans and the templates can be found on PA DEP’s Manure Management webpage. 
    • If you only have a few animals, look at the "Manure Management Plan Short Form". Your farm may be eligible to use a shorter Manure Management Plan template consisting of one page of basic farm information and two pages of 'Yes' or 'No' questions.