​Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program

The Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) supports Pennsylvania farmers and agricultural landowners in their efforts to protect and enhance water quality. ACAP was created through the Clean Streams Fund established by the FY 2022−2023 Pennsylvania State Budget. ACAP provides financial and technical assistance for the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations within the Commonwealth.

ACAP is administered by the State Conservation Commission (SCC) and delegated to participating county conservation districts for implementation of the program.

The Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training (CACAT) created from ACAP to meet a critical need for applied technical and training support in agricultural conservation, and was developed through collaboration with the USDA–Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Pennsylvania. CACAT works alongside these agencies to provide education, training, and technical assistance to conservation professionals and agricultural landowners across the Commonwealth. 

When evaluating applications for eligible projects under ACAP, a participating county conservation district will give priority to complete applications based upon the following criteria:

• BMP(s) funded meets the goals of any applicable WIP or CAP plan
• BMP is part of a conservation plan or AG E&S plan and a manure management or nutrient management plan. Development of such plans shall be included in the application if not yet developed prior to the application.
• Priority given to BMPs for control of nitrogen or phosphorus or sediment.
• All Animal Concentration Areas (ACAs) on the farm must be treated to abate storm water runoff, loss of sediment, loss of nutrients from the ACA, or the implementation of such BMPs shall be included in an application for funds.
• Proximity to surface waters, public drinking water sources or karst geology with underground drainage systems or open sinkholes.
• The project must meet the design and construction standards established by the Commission.
• Any other criteria considered by the conservation district, as applicable, and approved by the Commission.

ACAP was initially dedicated $154 million from the Clean Streams Fund to reduce non-point source (NPS) pollution in Commonwealth streams, rivers and waterbodies. The state budget now annually dedicates over $35 million to ACAP through the Clean Streams Fund. The SCC is required to allocate ACAP funding to participating county conservation districts based on written apportionment criteria developed by the SCC that is focused on preventing nutrient and sediment pollution. The formula is based on the most recent data available from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). A minimum of $300,000 per year per district has been established by the SCC.

Funds are distributed annually by the SCC to eligible districts using a formula based on:

• Miles of agriculturally impaired streams.
• Acres of cropland.
• Number of farms.
• Number of livestock and poultry.
• Other criteria as established by SCC. 

Contracted services:

• Planning services (i.e. MMP, NMP, Ag E&S Plan, Conservation Plan).
• Project design, engineering and construction oversight.
• Project construction or installation provided by a contractor.

Non-Contracted services:

• Applicant provided labor or materials.

ACAP is administered on a local level. To apply for these funds and obtain local program information, please contact your County Conservation District.

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