The mission of the Mifflin County Conservation District is to conserve the county’s natural resources through coordinated and professional guidance, technical assistance, and education to the landowners, public agencies, and residents of Mifflin County.
Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited's Award-Winning Rivers Conservation & Fly Fishing Youth Camp
Posted: 01 Nov 2012
** If you or someone you know is eligible and interested in attending this camp, please contact the Mifflin County Conservation District at 717-248-4695 for details about available scholarships. These scholarships would cover the entire registration cost. Scholarships are limited, so contact us today.
Applications are now being accepted for the 19th annual Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp being held June 16 –21, 2013 at the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, Cumberland County, PA.
The highly structured curriculum is based on college level classes. The students are instructed in ecology, aquatic biology, geology, hydrogeology, erosion and sedimentation control, ichthyology, riparian corridor protection, watershed management, entomology and much more. Students also participate in a hands-on stream habitat improvement project.
But it’s not all work. Fly fishing and fly tying are included. Nationally known instructors teach the students fly casting, fly tying, stream etiquette, how to “read” the water, and of course there is fishing. The camp begins on Sunday and ends the following Friday.
The camp will be limited to 32 selected qualified students, ages 14 to 17. The applicants must have been born between June 21, 1995 and June 16, 1999. The thirty-two students will be selected through an application process where they must state why they want to attend camp and they must provide a reference from a science teacher or guidance counselor. The competition for admission is fierce. The camp began accepting applications for the 2013 camp on November 1, 2012 and all applications must be postmarked not later than March 31, 2013.
The camp costs each student $350 for the entire week. All meals and accommodations are included for the residence camp. A student need not be an accomplished fly fisher or a budding aquatic biologist to attend. All the student needs to be is highly motivated and willing to learn. The Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp was founded in 1995 through the efforts of the late Dr. John R. “Jack” Beck and the late Enoch S. “Inky” Moore, Jr., Pennsylvania Fish Commissioner. Their goal was to select thirty-two teenagers each year who are the leaders in their class. The thought is that today’s leaders in high school become the leader of tomorrow’s communities. In a few short years they will be the bankers, lawyers, realtors, municipal officials and the leaders in their communities. If the camp can implant a kernel of knowledge in today’s students about the importance of clean water, when those students become the decision makers in their communities it may have a positive impact on how water resources are used.
Alumni are welcome to attend the Thursday evening picnic and share their experiences since they attended camp. The highly successful camp has been emulated in Michigan, North Carolina, Maine, Montana, Washington, Arkansas, New Hampshire, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Idaho, Illinois, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia/D.C./Maryland/West Virginia with other states looking to start their own programs.
For more information or an application brochure contact the camp at: Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, PO Box 71, Boiling Springs, PA 17007 or visit the camp’s website at www.riverscamp.com. Join the camp group Rivers Conservation & Fly Fishing Youth Camp on Facebook.
Posted: 01 Nov 2012
Penn State Extension still has about 80 free water test kits available for Pennsylvania dairy producers. These kits are part of an extension educational program that in part encourages livestock producers to regularly test their water supply. Please click here for additional information.
Posted: 22 Oct 2012
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today launched a new app and website to help people find information on the condition of thousands of lakes, rivers and streams across the United States from their smart phone, tablet or desktop computer. Available at http://www.epa.gov/mywaterway, the How’s My Waterway app and website uses GPS technology or a user-entered zip code or city name to provide information about the quality of local water bodies. The release of the app and website helps mark the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which Congress enacted on October 18, 1972, giving citizens a special role in caring for the nation’s water resources. Forty years later, EPA is providing citizens with a technology-based tool to expand that stewardship. Please click here for additional information.
The National Resources Conservation Service has announced funding for a new water quality initiative in three Pennsylvania watersheds. NRCS is making nearly $700,000 available to farmers and forest landowners in the Upper Kishacoquillas Creek in Mifflin County, the Upper Maiden Creek in Berks and Lehigh counties, and Sacony (also spelled as "Saucony") Creek in Berks County. The watersheds were identified because conservation practices could have significant improvements on water quality, NRCS said. Funding will pay for conservation practices including cover crops, grass waterways, waste storage facilities and streambank fencing. "American farmers are good stewards of the environment, especially when they have the tools they need to protect or improve fish and wildlife habitat and water quality," said NRCS Chief Dave White. Applications for financial assistance will be accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Contact your local NRCS or Conservation District office to see if you are located in one of the watersheds.
Within the last few weeks, there has been an increase in reported cases of tick bites. In an effort to promote wellness and to reduce the number of cases, the following information is being offered to keep you safe while at work and during your leisure time.
Lyme disease is spread through the bite of infected ticks. The black-legged tick (or deer tick) spreads the disease in the northeastern United States. These ticks are usually found in wooded areas and have complex life cycles. More information regarding Lyme disease is available in this brochure titled "Lyme Disease: A Public Information Guide."
Most humans are infected through the bites of immature ticks called nymphs. Nymphs are tiny, less than 2 mm, and are difficult to see. Adult ticks can also transmit Lyme disease bacteria, but they are larger and more likely to be discovered and removed before they transmit the bacteria.
For those who were unable to attend the Manure Mangement Manual Workshops in March...
The District is offering to meet with individuals or small groups to provide FREE guidance in completing these MANDATORY manure management plans. Please email or call us (717-248-4695) with any questions or to arrange a time to meet with one of our manure managment plan experts.
** PA DEP revisions to the Manure Managment Plan and the newManure Management Plan Workbook are now available at: PA DEP Manure Management
Penn State Cooperative Extension has started an online software tool called PaOneStop that allows farmers to map their operations and assist with compliance on nutrient management and nutrient balance sheet regulations. PaOneStop can assist agricultural producers with field mapping, nutrient management and Erosion and Sedimentation Planning. The site displays recent satellite photos to view recent practices that are being implemented on the farm.The PaOneStop program is free of charge and does not require users to add new software. After registering, users can map their operations and produce hardcopy maps necessary for regulatory compliance. The system has aerial maps, NRCS soil maps and tools to help determine setbacks and boundaries.
How to use PAOneStop:
Online, go to www.paonestop.orgThe software program is made to run on the Mozilla Firefox Web Browser.
Click on: Get Firefox Now for a free download if this is not currently on your system.
Click on: Click here to visit the site.You will be asked to create your own user name and password.
Click on: Create a New Farm.Click on: Edit FarmEnter the address of the farm.
Click on: Locate Farm Address on the Map.
Click on: Satellite at the top of the map for an actual detailed overhead view of the farm.
Thanks to someone from a cooperating agency, the MCCD would like to make the public aware of an interesting website that provides climate and weather data at the county level. Not only can weather related data be found for PA, but also for other regions of the United States. Please visit the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Weather Center for more information, or to view information about PA counties, click on the following link: http://wwwagwx.ca.uky.edu/panowwx.2.html .
Penn State researchers have developed a website http://stinkbug-info.org/ that's expected to help explain the behaviors and biology of the brown marmorated stink bug. Homeowners, growers, and nursery operators are invited to participate in this "citizen science" funded by the state Agriculture Department. People can add details about the stink bug population around them, what plants the pests are eating, and estimate how much damage the bugs are doing. It is hoped that this tool can provide a snapshot of where people see the bug and when. Then we can interpret that to help predict which crops are at risk and when. Although it has been about 20 years since brown marmorated stink bugs were first reported in the state, last summer was really the first time they became a widespread danger to crops. Populations are expected to increase again this year.
The 2012 Mifflin-Juniata Envirthon will be held Friday, May 11, 2012. Stay tuned for results from this year's competition....
The 2011 Winning Envirothon Team for Mifflin County was the Belleville Mennonite School Team!
If you are a teacher and are interested in forming a team for next year or have questions, please contact us.
The Mifflin County Conservation District Board of Directors has regularly scheduled meetings. The meetings are open to the public. The meetings are held in the Mifflin County Conservation District Office and the schedule for 2013 is as follows: January 15th at 10:00am; February 19th at 10:00am; March 19th at 10:00am; April 16th at 7:30pm; May 21st at 7:30pm; June 18th at 7:30pm; July 16th at 7:30pm; August 20th at 7:30pm; September 17th at 7:30pm; October 15th at 7:30pm; November 19th at 10:00am
The 
But it’s not all work. Fly fishing and fly tying are included. Nationally known instructors teach the students fly casting, fly tying, stream etiquette, how to “read” the water, and of course there is fishing. The camp begins on Sunday and ends the following Friday. 
Penn State Extension still has about 80 free water test kits available for Pennsylvania dairy producers. These kits are part of an extension educational program that in part encourages livestock producers to regularly test their water supply. Please click 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today launched a new app and website to help people find information on the condition of thousands of lakes, rivers and streams across the United States from their smart phone, tablet or desktop computer. Available at http://www.epa.gov/mywaterway, the How’s My Waterway app and website uses GPS technology or a user-entered zip code or city name to provide information about the quality of local water bodies. The release of the app and website helps mark the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, which Congress enacted on October 18, 1972, giving citizens a special role in caring for the nation’s water resources. Forty years later, EPA is providing citizens with a technology-based tool to expand that stewardship. Please click 
Within the last few weeks, there has been an increase in reported cases of tick bites. In an effort to promote wellness and to reduce the number of cases, the following information is being offered to keep you safe while at work and during your leisure time.
The District is offering to meet with individuals or small groups to provide FREE guidance in completing these MANDATORY manure management plans. Please 
Penn State Cooperative Extension has started an online software tool called PaOneStop that allows farmers to map their operations and assist with compliance on nutrient management and nutrient balance sheet regulations. PaOneStop can assist agricultural producers with field mapping, nutrient management and Erosion and Sedimentation Planning. The site displays recent satellite photos to view recent practices that are being implemented on the farm.The PaOneStop program is free of charge and does not require users to add new software. After registering, users can map their operations and produce hardcopy maps necessary for regulatory compliance. The system has aerial maps, NRCS soil maps and tools to help determine setbacks and boundaries.
Thanks to someone from a cooperating agency, the MCCD would like to make the public aware of an interesting website that provides climate and weather data at the county level. Not only can weather related data be found for PA, but also for other regions of the United States. Please visit the 
Penn State researchers have developed a website 
The 2011 Winning Envirothon Team for Mifflin County was the Belleville Mennonite School Team!
