Pennsylvania Small Farm Environmental Stewardship Program: Implementing conservation Practices on Small Farms and Using Environmental Stewardship as a Marketing Tool

This project will target traditionally underserved communities throughout PA with a major emphasis on farm operations in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. This includes new and beginning farmers and managers of small livestock and equine operations, which historically have very low participation in USDA conservation programs with a research base of 70% of PA woman managing horse operations. PA Equine operations, which were previously unregulated, now fall under nutrient management regulations with increased attention to nutrient and sediment loss within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. New farmers and managers of small farms and equine operations need awareness of government programs and sources of assistance.