Franklin County Conservation District received a state mini-grant to hold a Summer Conservation Farm Tour and Luncheon on August 9, 2023, at the Greene Township Park. The District took this opportunity to present the 2023 Conservation Farmer of the Year award to Burk-Lea Farms, owned by Clinton and Kara Burkholder.

The grant funding enabled the Franklin County Conservation District to provide important education on the benefits of reducing nonpoint source pollution with Best Management Practices (BMPs) to approximately 90 attendees.

Tour participants visited the Burkholder’s dairy farm and saw firsthand various conservation-related systems including a solid manure stack pad, a silage leachate collection system, several animal waste storage facilities, a roofed animal heavy use area and a grassed waterway. These practices reduce potential pollutants from entering the waterways and help to prevent soil erosion. In addition, participants viewed dribble bar manure application equipment, learning about how it reduces soil disturbance and how it may decrease odor.

Joining this year’s event were PA Senator Doug Mastriano, PA Representative Rob Kauffman and PA Representative Rich Irvin. Senator Mastriano also presented a special citation to the Burkholders in recognition of their hard work and successful conservation efforts over the years. The Burkholders were presented with a farm sign as well as a pen and clock set. They join a long list of honorees since the Franklin County Conservation Farmer of the Year program began in 1962.

Financial and other support for this project is provided by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. (PACD) through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For more information about PACD, visit www.pacd.org.

The Franklin County Conservation District is dedicated to promoting and educating about the wise stewardship of our natural resources. For more information about FCCD or this event, please visit www.franklinccd.org or call 717-264-5499.