Manure Management and Manure Management Workshops

Manure Management regulations have been in effect since the mid 1980’s for operations that generate or utilize manure. Farms are currently being inspected to ensure Manure Management Plans are maintained. Plan on attending this workshop if you have animals on your operation or import manure for your crops. 

 This Workshop will assist farmers in Cumberland County write a Manure Management Plan for their operation that utilizes or produces manure. There is no cost to attend this workshop, but you must register so that sufficient materials and lunch is available Please call the Conservation District for dates, times, locations or other questions regarding the workshops or manure management in general.

Resource Enhancement And Protection Program (REAP)

REAP is a first-come, first-served program that has no ranking system.  REAP is an annual program, that runs on the fiscal year July 1^st of the year until June 30^th of the following year. The program is administered by the State Conservation Commission (SCC) and the tax credits are awarded by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. There is typically a 13-million-dollar allocation of tax credits available each year. Eligible applicants receive between 50% and 90% of the project cost in the form of State tax credits for up to $250,000 per operation in a 7-year timeframe. The tax credits can be used incrementally (as needed) for up to 15 years to pay PA state income tax. In order to be eligible, farmers will need current plans. Agricultural operations MUST have a current and up-to-date: Conservation Plan or Agricultural E&S Plan on all acres that are under managerial control at the time of application, and a Nutrient Management Plan (for a CAO or CAFO) or Manure Management Plan – required of all operations that have animals or utilize manure. The written plans must be on-schedule for full implementation in order to be considered “current”.  The cost of developing and implementing these plans are included to qualify for the tax credit. Other items that qualify are farm best management practices, waste storage facilities, no-till drills and much more. The REAP Application and Guidelines can be found at www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/StateConservationCommission/REAP/Pages/default.aspx

 For more information about the REAP Program, please call the Conservation District office or Joel Semke the Resource Enhancement and Protection Program Administrator from the SCC at (717) 705-4032.

Commercial Manure Hauling

In 2004, the Commercial Manure Hauler and Broker Certification Act (Act 49) was signed into Pennsylvania Law. Any individual who transports, land applies, or brokers manure in a commercial situation within the borders of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania must successfully complete a state certification program.

Commercial Manure Hauler – A person that transports or land applies manure as a contract agent for an agricultural operator or commercial manure broker under the direction of the operator or broker.

Commercial Manure Broker – A person that is not working for or under the control of an agricultural operator and that assumes temporary control or ownership of manure from an agricultural operation and arranges for transport to and utilization at an importing operation or other location. More information about the program can be found at https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/StateConservationCommission/CommercialManuer/Pages/default.aspx

The Conservation District hosts Level 2 Manure Hauling Exams on an as needed basis, and at least 1 Manure Hauling Continuing Education Credit (CEC) session annually. There is no cost to attend, but you must register so that sufficient materials are provided. Please call the Conservation District to schedule an exam and for the dates and times of the CEC session

For additional information on nutrient management, visit the following websites:

• Penn State Extension: Agronomy Guide
• Penn State Extension: Nutrient Management Program
• Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: Nutrient Management Program