The Agriculture Conservation Assistance Grant Program, commonly called ACAP, is a government-funded initiative to support farmers and landowners in implementing best management practices (BMPs) in Pennsylvania. ACAP was allocated $154 million from the Clean Streams Fund to reduce pollution in streams, rivers, and water bodies.
The funds were distributed to each county conservation district based on various criteria, including the number of cropland acres, farms, livestock and poultry, and miles of agriculturally impaired stream miles. As a result, each county conservation district will receive three equally-divided annual allocations. Lancaster’s apportionment is approximately $15,525,000 or $5,175,000 for each allocation. All funds must be committed by December 31, 2024 and spent by December 31, 2026.
Read about the Lancaster County Conservation District | ACAP Program.
ACAP Goal
The goal is to help ag producers implement best management practices that will reduce or prevent nutrient and sediment losses from their farms, protect natural resources, and minimize the environmental impacts of farming.
Guidelines & Uses
- BMP(s) funded meets the goals of any applicable WIP or CAP plan
- BMP is part of a conservation plan or AG E&S plan and a manure management or nutrient management plan. Development of such plans shall be included in the application if not yet developed prior to the application.
- Priority is given to BMPs that implement best management practices for the control of nitrogen or phosphorus, or sediment.
- All Animal Concentration Areas (ACAs) on the farm must be treated to abate stormwater runoff, loss of sediment, loss of nutrients from the ACA, or the implementation of such BMPs shall be included in an application for funds.
- Proximity to surface waters, public drinking water sources, or karst geology with underground drainage systems or open sinkholes.
- The project must meet the design and construction standards established by the commission.
- Any other criteria considered by the conservation district, as applicable, and approved by the commission.
Eligible Costs
- Project design, engineering, and associated planning costs.
- Project construction or installation provided by a contractor, including labor provided by the applicant.
- Equipment, materials, and other components of eligible projects
- Post construction inspections
How to apply for the ACAP Grant
Applicants should apply for the ACAP Program Grant through their County Conservation District.
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