ACAP Ag Conservation Con

When:
June 4, 2024 (11:00 AM)
to
June 6, 2024 (12:00 PM)
Where:
Toftrees Golf Resort
One Country Club Lane
State College, Pennsylvania 16803
Registration deadline:
May 31, 2024
11:45 p.m.
About the Conference
Join us for ACAP Ag Conservation Con, a professional development conference tailored for individuals working in agriculture conservation. Ideal for Conservation District Employees, Ag Conservation Professionals, and anyone associated with ACAP or other conservation financial assistance programs. Stay updated on ACAP and other financial assistance programs, refresh your engineering skills, learn about changes to Manure Management Plans, improve resource concern identification, and enhance skills for working with farmers and ag producers. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and network with industry peers!

Event Details
Join us for three days of presentations, exhibits, field trips, breakouts, conversation opportunities, and priceless connections with like-minded professionals!

Sponsor Opportunities
Gold Sponsor – $500
Includes recognition on advertisements, two full conference registrations, recognition in banquet program, table at Sponsor Reception.

Silver Sponsor – $300
Includes two full conference registrations, recognition in banquet program, table at Sponsor Reception.

Bronze Sponsor – $150
Includes one full conference registration, recognition in banquet program.

Table at Sponsor Reception Only – $150
Includes table at Sponsor Reception.

Calling all ACAP Conservation Superheroes!
You, as conservation professionals, do amazing work. You don your capes and boots and biosecurity gear and boldly go out to save the world, one eroded crop field, animal concentration area, and manure management plan at a time. You are out there working directly with farmers, navigating the questions, laws, and regulations, and partnering with multiple agencies. You market and implement ACAP to help put conservation into practice. Superheroes deserve recognition! Be sure to nominate yourself or another deserving ACAP Conservation Superhero for one of several ACAP Conservation Awards as soon as you register for the conference. Just click on the link that will be provided in your confirmation email!

ACAP MVP Award
The ACAP MVP will be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional promotion and implementation of ACAP throughout 2023-2024. They have distinguished themselves through hard work and dedication towards addressing agricultural resource concerns utilizing the ACAP program and funding. Like true superheroes, they are effective at communicating with partners and building trust within their local communities.

Criteria: The individual must have worked part or full-time with the ACAP program and on ACAP-funded projects.

Conservation District Team Collaboration Award
The Conservation District Team Collaboration Award recognizes the exceptional teamwork demonstrated by the conservation district or delegated authority team within the ACAP process. This superhero squad promotes the spirit of teamwork through collaboration and cooperation, leading the ACAP project’s success. Their consistent support and assistance to colleagues and ACAP applicants showcase their dedication to fostering a culture of teamwork and excellence.

Criteria: The team members must be employed by the same conservation district or ACAP delegated entity.

Partnership Award
The Partnership Award will be presented to a qualified partnership that has demonstrated successful teamwork and collaboration on ACAP projects. Award recipients will have actively engaged with other conservation agencies or organizations to drive the implementation of ACAP initiatives. This formidable cadre will have demonstrated exceptional skill in rallying others to participate in the conservation dialogue.

Criteria: Nominees must include at least two entities that have partnered at the local level on the implementation of ACAP. Partners may include but are not limited to, public or private sector entities, including local offices of county, state, or national agencies or organizations, funders, contractors, non-profit organizations, etc. Partnerships must be specified at the local level and include the ACAP delegated entity.

Innovative ACAP Project Award
Sometimes, superhero success depends on unconventional or pioneering thinking. The Innovative ACAP Project Award will be bestowed upon a project that showcases inspired and innovative thinking to solve resource concerns while utilizing ACAP funds for the installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs). Innovative thinking can encompass various aspects, including but not limited to funding strategies, BMP selection and implementation, and creative engineering to amalgamate BMPs for a successful project outcome.

Criteria: The project must utilize ACAP funding to some extent.

Best ACAP Project Photo Award
Tap into your creativity to showcase your best ACAP project photo, to be judged by your peers at the ACAP AG Conservation Con.

Criteria: Please submit high-resolution digital images suitable for printing. The photos will be on display at the event.

Space is limited. Preregistration is required.

Lodging
For lodging information, please see the details provided under the Policies tab.

Who is this for?
Conservation District Employees
Agricultural Conservation Professionals
Individuals associated with ACAP
Individuals associated with other conservation financial assistance programs
What will you learn?
Stay up to date on ACAP and other conservation financial assistance programs
Refresh your basic engineering skills and knowledge on the new state-level Job Approval Authority
Learn about upcoming changes to the Manure Management Plan and how to choose the correct plan for agricultural operations
Improve your resource concern identification skills and knowledge of practices to solve these concerns