UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A team from Penn State Extension’s Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training received national recognition for two communications pieces at the 2025 Annual Meeting and Professional Improvement Conference of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, held recently in Billings, Montana.
Chris Canfield, agricultural conservation extension educator, accepted the awards on behalf of the team.
The “Basics of Surveying Reference Manual” was named a national winner in the publication category. Developed to support conservation district staff and others new to surveying, the manual introduces basic concepts such as using a laser level and stadia rod to determine elevation differences on a landscape. These techniques are used in planning the installation of best management practices.
Designed as an easy-to-understand reference for use in the field, the guide supports individuals with limited or no experience in surveying who may have access to equipment but lack formal training.
“The team was thrilled that the publication was recognized at a national conference,” Canfield said.
He noted that the manual has been used in trainings at the ACAP Ag Conservation Con professional development conference and will be incorporated into two Penn State classes this fall.
Canfield credited the Penn State Extension creative services team, including Brittany Dodson, for collaborating on the design and production of the manual. He also acknowledged Jesse Bussard, team marketing coordinator for the center, for managing communication between contributors throughout the project.
The team also received a Northeast regional award in the newsletter category for its “Ag Conservation Currents” e-newsletter. Developed for conservation professionals, the monthly publication shares updates on agricultural literacy, conservation efforts across Pennsylvania and upcoming training opportunities.
Canfield and Genevieve Christ, agricultural conservation extension educator, oversee content development. Bussard manages the newsletter’s creation and distribution.
“We hope to provide information that would be helpful in decision making and education for ag conservation professionals throughout the state, and encourage thinking outside the box for conservation efforts,” Canfield said.
To develop each issue, Canfield and Christ review recent agricultural conservation articles, primarily from within Extension, and evaluate which training opportunities may be most useful for readers.
Canfield and Christ said winning the regional award — with a newsletter that is only two years old — is a great honor, while adding that they look forward to growing their audience and increasing their impact.
In addition to the team’s awards, Christ was recognized individually as a Northeast national achievement award winner. This award recognizes excellence in the field of professional extension for members with less than 10 years of service. According to the citation, Christ “works directly with conservation professionals, farmers and landowners providing education and guidance on ag conservation best management practices” and “takes an interest in ensuring others’ success in their professional career.”
The National Association of County Agricultural Agents connects members nationwide and supports professional development and networking.
Managed by Penn State Extension, the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training is funded through the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program administered by the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission.
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research and extension programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.