Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program

The Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) provides financial and technical assistance for the implementation of best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural operations within Pennsylvania.  ACAP is funded through the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Fund. The program is administered by the State Conservation Commission (SCC) and implemented locally by participating conservation districts.

The SCC provides an annual allocation of about $300,000 to implement the program in Luzerne County.  Each county’s funding is determined by a formula that considered agriculturally impaired stream miles, the number of cropland acres, the number of farms, the number of livestock and poultry, and other criteria established by the SCC.  Funds are used to reduce non-point source pollution in streams, rivers, and waterbodies in Luzerne County.

Any person or legal entity engaging in or owning a property where agricultural operations are occurring is welcome to apply for this grant reimbursement program.  The amount of reimbursement is based on eligible costs submitted by an approved applicant for an approved project.  Priority will be given to applicants based on the following criteria:

• Projects with BMPs that meet the goals of the Countywide Action Plan for Clean Water (CAP) or a Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) (see https://luzernecd.org/programs/cleanwater/)
• BMPs that are part of a conservation plan or Ag E&S plan and manure management or nutrient management plan.  Development of such plans shall be included in the application if not yet developed prior to the application.
• BMPs that control nitrogen, phosphorus, or sediment.
• All Animal Concentration Areas (ACA) 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 the application for funds.
• Proximity to surface waters, public drinking water sources.
• The project must meet the design and construction standards established by the SCC. 
• Projects with matching funds.  Although this is not a requirement.
• Projects by applicants who are new or beginning farmers or military veterans.

All applicants must first submit a pre-application to schedule an on-site visit by an LCD representative to discuss the potential project before an application is submitted for funding.  The purpose of the pre-application meeting is to work jointly with the program participant to ensure that their application is complete and meets the ACAP objectives.  

ACAP applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until available funding is allocated.  They are ranked quarterly. 

For more information or to discuss a potential project, please contact Jen Merryman at 570-674-7991 ext. 7.

Link to pre-application
Link to application
Link to application instructions
Link to eligible Best Management Practices (BMPs) list
Link to Luzerne Conservation District ACAP Policy