On April 3, the Penn State Extension’s Center for Agricultural Assistance Training recognized Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) and State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-Lycoming) for their leadership in conservation efforts at Wednesday’s ACAP Ag Conservation Conference in Harrisburg.

Sen. Martin, who serves as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Sen. Yaw, who serves as chairman of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, were selected as joint recipients of the Karl Brown Award for Conservation Leadership.

The annual award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated significant initiative and leadership on agricultural conservation issues in Pennsylvania.

“I am humbled to be recognized along with my colleague Senator Yaw for our work to promote clean water through strong partnerships with farmers throughout Pennsylvania,” Sen. Martin said. “The progress we’ve made to this point has been extremely impressive, including the dedicated funding for the Clean Stream Funds that was included in last year’s budget, representing the largest investment in water quality in Pennsylvania’s history.”

“I’m honored to be a recipient of this year’s award for conservation leadership,” Sen. Yaw said. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done to better Pennsylvania’s 85,000 miles of waterways through collaboration with the agriculture community and a local-first approach. I’m thankful to the Extension and the Commission for this wonderful recognition.”

In 2022, Senators Martin and Yaw spearheaded the landmark state Clean Streams Fund to clean up rivers and streams damaged by decades of nonpoint source pollution, including agricultural runoff, abandoned mine drainage and stormwater in developed areas.

The establishment of the Fund coincided with creation of the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP), which has become one of the most successful initiatives of its kind.

Best management practices implemented by farmers and local governments are showing results, according to the legislators.

Last year, the annual report card released by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science showed notable progress, with the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay receiving its best grade in more than two decades.

Senators Martin and Yaw represent Pennsylvania as members of the Chesapeake Bay Commission, a tri-state legislative commission advising the general assemblies of Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

Sen. Yaw chairs the Commission’s Pennsylvania Delegation and is a vice chair of the Commission.

Click Here for the announcement by the Senators.

(Photo: Sen. Yaw and Sen. Martin.)

Related Articles This Week:

-- Penn State Extension Center For Agricultural Assistance Training Recognizes Sen. Martin,  Sen. Yaw For Ag Conservation Leadership  [PaEN] 

-- PASA Sustainable Agriculture Begins Staff Furloughs; Federal Funding To Support Farmers Still Frozen [PaEN]

-- Volunteers Needed!  PA Forestry Assn. Sproul State Forest Tree Planting Ramble April 12 In Centre County  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Lancaster Farming: PA Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program Is Helping Ag Conservation Projects Get Done

-- PublicNewsService.org: Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership To Plant 90,000 Trees This Spring Toward Its Goal

-- Spotlight PA: Proposed $25 Million Cut To State Bird Flu Aid For Farmers Could Leave PA Unprepared For Surge, Republican Lawmakers Fear

[Posted: April 3, 2025]

4/7/2025