Agricultural Programs

Nutrient Management Act 38 Program

The Nutrient Management Act is a state law that passed in 1993. The regulations became effective in October 1997. The purpose of the Act is to minimize surface and groundwater nutrient loads from agricultural operations and to increase farm profitability by practicing good nutrient management. 

Chesapeake Bay Program

Three quarters of the land in Clearfield County drains to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Clearfield CCD works to support Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts. The purpose of this program is to assist farmers with the installation of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs). The BMPs are installed to help with nutrient management, soil erosion, and water control within the farm's operation.

Manure Management

Every farm that generates or utilizes manure in Pennsylvania is required to have a written Chapter 91 Manure Management Plan (MMP). Clearfield CCD works to assist farmers with MMP planning, review, and implementation.

Please see our Agricultural  Resources Page for more information on compliance, planning, and program details.

Agricultural Erosion & Sediment Control

Pennsylvania’s Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management)
regulations requires farms to develop and implement a written
plan to reduce erosion when plowing and tilling (includes no-till cropping) and Animal Heavy Use Areas (AHUA) disturbing more than 5,000 sq. ft. Farms are also required to implement agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce runoff to surface waters.
Farmland Preservation Program
The purpose of the Farmland Preservation Program is to protect viable agricultural lands by obtaining agricultural conservation easements, which protect agricultural lands form development or improvement of the land for any use other than agricultural production.

To be eligible for the program, the farm must be located in an agricultural security area consisting of 500 acres or more and have at least 50 contiguous acres. For more information please call us at 814-765-2629

REAP Program

Through the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Program; farmers, landowners, and businesses earn tax credits for implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) that will enhance farm production and protect natural resources.

Applicants can apply for proposed projects and/or completed projects but coordination with Clearfield CCD is required.
Agricultural Education
Throughout the year, Clearfield CCD holds and participates in education events for farmers, landowners, and consultants to learn about current conservation practices that benefit farms and natural resources.

Clearfield CCD is also proud to partner with other organizations to provide relevant education topics for farms throughout the region. 

To learn about and sign up for upcoming events, click the link below.

Chlorophyll testing

Nitrogen is essential for plant life but is also very mobile in the environment. Nitrogen if not applied correctly can be washed away through rain events, volatilize into the atmosphere, or leach into groundwater.

Applying nitrogen when the crop needs it is good for the environment and great for the farm. Clearfield CCD offers Chlorophyll testing of corn crops to determine appropriate  nitrogen application rates.
Agricultural BMP Installation
Clearfield CCD and Partners use a large variety of best management practices (BMPs) to help control agricultural runoff to local waterways. Examples include manure storage structures, animal heavy use area protection, and water system developments.

Clearfield CCD works to obtain state funding to install these practices on farms to, improve nutrient utilization, improve farm economics, and reduce environmental impacts.