Capital RC&D

08/28/2026

Russ Wilson is a grazier in Clarion County that has been a participant in and valuable contributor to Capital RC&D's grazing projects over the past 13 years. Last Saturday, a lightening strike started a fire at the Wilson farm that resulted in a total loss of his workshop, tools, meat storage, and workspace. This will have a major impact on their current and future business.
A GoFundMe to help replace tools etc. is available for those able to help.

08/17/2026

Penn State Extension in Cumberland County has a new home!

06/30/2026

Another great opportunity for small ruminant graziers in South Central PA

Save the date for an upcoming Sheep and Goat Small Group gathering!📅

🔷Adams County | 7/16 | 6:30 pm

Join your local livestock educator for a free, 90-minute in-person gathering designed for small ruminant producers. Each quarter, we host an informal, educational meeting focused on the topics and needs of local sheep and goat producers. Every session concludes with an open discussion, providing an opportunity to learn from peers, gain insights from industry representatives, and help shape future meeting topics.

Register at: https://extension.psu.edu/sheep-and-goat-small-group-gathering

06/26/2026

Catching up with Capital RC&D

On May 7, 2026, staff from PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Capital RC&D met in Clinton County to learn proper techniques for enhanced quality control procedures tied to Capital RC&D’s cover crop and residue survey program. These enhanced techniques include performing line transect surveys to determine actual plant residue amounts on spring planted crop fields. The percent of plant residue is correlated to soil tillage practices. This enhanced quality control data will provide a better assessment for satellite and machine learning tools.

06/24/2026

Capital RC&D’s “Bolstering Agricultural Best Management Practices Across Pennsylvania’s Capital Region” project is underway with recent work focusing on updating partners and hiring a communications intern.

We would like to introduce our communications intern, Ms. Naysah Mbarushimana, who will assist in outreach and general communications for “Bolstering Agricultural Best Management Practices Across Pennsylvania’s Capital Region” project. Naysah is from Dauphin County, attends Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, and is on staff through the summer. Welcome, Naysah!

To learn more about Capital RC&D's grazing support program, visit https://capitalrcd.org/grazingsupport

Capital RC&D staff pictured from left to right: Cheryl Burns, Project & Outreach Manager; Naysah Mbarushimana, Communications Intern; Ann Basehore, Executive Director. Photo by Kristen Saacke Blunk

06/17/2026

Did you know??

06/04/2026

As part of the kick-off for Capital RC&D’s NFWF funded project "Bolstering Agricultural Best Management Practices Across Pennsylvania's Capital Region.”, Capital RC&D staff met with communication consultant, Nancy Merrill of Merrill Communications Consulting and visited several farmers in Lancaster and Lebanon counties who are interested in participating in the program. These visits fostered learning and discussion about grazing practices and effective communication strategies that will allow Capital RC&D to better address the needs of graziers in the region.

Farmers and graziers in Lancaster, Lebanon, and Dauphin counties that are interested in learning more about the technical assistance and cost share available through this project should contact Ann Basehore at 717-241-4361 or via email [email protected].
For additional grazing related information, visit https://www.capitalrcd.org/grazingsupport.html

06/02/2026

Now Hiring!

The Pennsylvania Grazing Lands Coalition (PA GLC) is seeking applicants for the position of coordinator.
This is a part-time, grant-funded position requiring approximately 8-10 hours per week. The PA GLC works in a cooperative arrangement with Capital RC&D.
To learn more about the position or to apply (by June 12, 2026), visit https://www.capitalrcd.org/employment-opportunities.html

05/04/2026

This is a great tip for those working and playing outdoors, what tips and tricks do you use to deal with ticks?

When you get home from spending time outside, toss your dry clothes in the dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill any ticks that may have hitched a ride. If they need washing first, use hot water. And don’t forget to check your body for ticks too!

04/30/2026

Did you know that this is Conservation District week?

Conservation districts work hard to protect our soil and water from erosion and pollution while also promoting programs to benefit farmers, graziers, foresters, and the community at large. This also includes educational programs like the Envirothon competitions for high school students and partnering to host events like the Adams County Earth Extravaganza to celebrate Earth Day.

To learn more about how conservation districts operate throughout the state or to find information about the office in your county, visit www.pacd.org. Adams County residents can find information about their district here: https://www.adamscountypa.gov/departments/conservationdistrict