2026-04-15T10:03:11-06:00 2025-12-31 463990187 LE Tax Service 51 Frederick Blvd Jamestown NY 14701 990 2025-01-01 251501313 PENN SOIL RC&D COUNCIL % DONNA ZOFCIN PENN 8147261441 4000 CONEWANGO AVE WARREN PA 16365 DONNA ZOFCIN TREASURER 8147261441 2026-04-11 true LINDA ANN ECKMAN P01658202 7169229044 2026-04-15 X 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z DONNA ZOFCIN 4000 CONEWANGO AVE WARREN PA 16365 103851 false X WWW.PENNSOIL.ORG X 2003 PA PROVIDE THE LOCAL LEADERSHIP NECESSARY TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN THAT WILL IMPROVE THE ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL-WELL BEING OF THE PEOPLE THROUGH ACCELERATED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES IN EIGHT NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES. 24 24 2 659 10 0 215570 100036 32854 3805 0 108 10 248532 103851 0 0 44252 44401 0 0 202194 34719 246446 79120 2086 24731 70746 95067 0 70746 95067 PROVIDE THE LOCAL LEADERSHIP NECESSARY TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN THAT WILL IMPROVE THE ECONOMY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL-WELL BEING OF THE PEOPLE THROUGH ACCELERATED PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES IN EIGHT NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES. false false 12761 46476 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: WE ACCEPTED NEW REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM A VOLUNTEER SENIOR CITIZEN GROUP TO REPLACE A DETERIORATING FUNCTIONAL GREENHOUSE AT THE WARREN STATE HOSPITAL WHERE THE VOLUNTEERS WERE PLANTING SEEDS AND PRODUCING STARTER VEGETABLES AND FLOWER PLANTS FOR SALE TO THE COMMUNITY TO RAISE FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF DONATIONS TO OTHER COMMUNITY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN WARREN COUNTY. THEIR LEASE ON THE OLD STATE-OWNED FACILITY WAS TERMINATED DUE TO STRUCTURAL DEFICIENCIES AND WE ARE NOW ACTIVELY DEVELOPING PROJECT NARRATIVES AND A BUDGET PLAN TO SOLICIT FUNDING TO BUILD A NEW GREEENHOUSE FACITLITY AT A LOCAL SENIOR CITIZEN RESIDENTIAL FACILITY WITHIN THE COUNTY TO ENABLE THE GROUP TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY NEEDS. WE ALSO BEGAN A PROJECT TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE MEADVILLE AREA RECREATIONAL GARDENS TO CREATE A NEW URBAN FARMING ENTERPRISE TO GROW FRESH FOOD WITHIN THE CITY OF MEADVILLE AND SUBMITTED A FEDERAL GRANT PROPOSAL TO CREATE AN ON-THE JOB TRAINING PROGRAM FOR A NEW AND BEGINNING FARMER TO PROVIDE NUTRITCIOUS LOCALLY GROWN FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR RESIDENTS OF MEADVILLES LOW-INCOME, LOW ACCESS FOOD AREAS BY LAUNCHING THE FIRST URBAN FARMING OPERATION WITHIN THE CITY. LIKE MANY COMMUNITIES, MEADVILLE AND CRAWFORD COUNTY NEED NEW FARMERS ENTERING THE FIELD PRODUCING GOOD FRESH PRODUCE, AND SELLING THROUGH LOCAL MARKETS, LIKE THE MEADVILLE MARKET HOUSE, EDINBORO MARKET, AND OTHER REGIONAL FARMERS MARKETS. A COMMITTED PARTNER IN THE PROJECT IS THE MEADVILLE MARKET HOUSE. THE MARKET HOUSE SERVES AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 85,000 RESIDENTS OF CRAWFORD COUNTY INCLUDING 13,000 RESIDENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF MEADVILLE WITH 18% OF RESIDENTS BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. THE MARKET HOUSE IS THE OLDEST, CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING FARMERS MARKET IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA AND CONNECTS FARMERS AND GROWERS WITH THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES TO OFFER LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD PRODUCTS. THE MARKET HOUSE HAS COMMITTED TO SERVING AS AN OUTLET FOR A NEW FARMER AT THE MARC TOWN FARM, OFFERING INDOOR MARKET SPACE AND COLD STORAGE AS WELL AS SPACE IN THEIR WEELKLY FARMERS MARKET THAT RUNS MAY-OCTOBER. AS AN OUTLET THE ACCEPTS SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS (SNAP), THE OUTLET THAT THE MARKET HOUSE PRESENTS WILL BE CRITICAL FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF LOCAL PRODUTS GROWN BY THE NEW FARMER AT THE MARC TOWN FARM TO LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS IN THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR GROCERY BUDGET AND AFFORD NUTRITIOUS FOOD ESSENTIAL TO GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE ALSO SERVED AS A FISCAL AGENT FOR THE TOY SHOPPE OF WARREN, PA SENIOR CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS WHO PRODUCED 1800 HANDMADE WOODEN TOYS AND DISTRIBUTED THEM FREE OF CHARGE TO DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES AND CHILDRENS SERVICE PROVIDERS IN OUR REGION WITH FUNDING SUPPPORT THROUGH GRANTS AND DONATIONS WE RECEIVED FOR THE PROJECT. WE ALSO PROVIDED $5000 IN FUNDING FOR MODERNIZATION OF THE WOOD SHOP TOOLS USED BY THE TOY SHOPPE VOLUNTEERS AND PURCHASED MATERIALS NECESSARY TO CREATE THE TOYS THEY ARE PROVIDING TO UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN AND CHILDREN SERVICE PROVIDERS. WE ALSO PROVIDED $6500 FOR SITE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE ANNUAL KINZUA HERITAGE FESTIVAL. THE KINZUA HERITAGE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN REGISTERED IN PA AS A DOMESTIC NON-PROFIT CORPORATION SINCE 2009 AND THIS FESTIVAL MARKED THE 19TH YEAR OF THE ORGANIZATION HOSTING THIS ANNUAL FESTIVAL THAT HAS DRAWN TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PUBLIC VISITORS TO THIS UNIQUE EVENT IN WARREN COUNTY WITH ATTENDANCE TOTALS EXCEEDING 3,000 IN 2024. 9575 7051 TOURISM: TO INCREASE TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR REGION, WE CO-HOSTED AND PLANNED THE 9TH ANNUAL NATURE ART SHOWCASE AND SALE EVENT, RECRUITING 76 ARTISTS AND DISPLAY 104 ART PIECES REPRESENTING THE NATURAL AND RECREATIONAL ASSETS OF NORTHWESTERN PA, THROUGH DIVERSE MEDIA, WHICH WERE DISPLAYED AND WERE AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC. WE ALSO DEVELOPED AND ADMINISTERED THE CREATION OF A PROJECT TO INCREASE VISITATION TO THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST IN HONOR OF THE 100 YEAR HISTORY SINCE THE CREATION OF THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST IN 1923. TWENTY-EIGHT INDIVIDUAL GEOCACHES WERE DEVELOPED AND PLACED AT SPECIFIC HISTORIC LOCATIONS WITHIN THE FOUR COUNTIES COMPRISING THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST. PENNSOIL RC&D CREATED THE PASSPORT DOCUMENT AND MADE IT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC DOWNLOAD FROM OUR WEBSITE. THE EXACT LOCATIONS WERE PUBLISHED ON THE INTERNET AND GPS COORDINATES WERE USED FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEEK OUT THE GEOCACHES. GEOCACHERS WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND THE GEOCACHES AND RECORD THE DATES THEY FOUND THE SPECIFIC GEOCACHES ON THEIR PASSPORT AS WELL AS RECORDING THEIR EXPERIENCE AND COMMENTS ONLINE. GEOCACHERS WHO WOULD FIND A MINIMUM OF 20 OUT OF 28 GEOCACHES WOULD BE ABLE TO REDEEM THEIR PASSPORT DOCUMENTS FOR A FREE SOUVENIR TOKEN COMMEMORATING THE CREATION OF THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST. THE PROJECT BEGAN IN FEBRUARY OF 2023 AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2025. OVER 1500 INDIVIDUAL FINDS WERE RECORDED IN 2024. WE ALSO DID PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS ON THE USE OF GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS AND THE OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY OF GEOCACHING. WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE ALLEGHENY OUTDOOR CLUB TO REPRINT INTERPRETIVE SIGNS IN NEED OF REPAIR ALONG SELF-GUIDED NATURE TRAILS AT TIMBERDOODLE FLATS RECREATION AREA IN THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST AND THE BIG BEND RECREATION AREA AT KINZUA DAM. WE ALSO ASSISTED THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST CHAPTER OF THE NORTHERN COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION TO RELOCATE A SECTION OF THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL OFF A PUBLIC ROAD ONTO ADJACENT FOREST LAND IN FOREST COUNTY, PA BY PROVIDING FUNDING FOR PURCHASES OF MATERIALS USED IN THE TRAIL RELOCATION PROJECT AND FOR CREATING FOUR INTERPRETIVE SIGNS TO DENOTE SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL LOCATIONS ALONG THE NEW TRAIL SEGMENT. THE NORTH COUNTRY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL (NCNST) IS THE LONGEST IN THE NATIONAL TRAILS SYSTEM, STRETCHING ALMOST 4800 MILES ACROSS EIGHT STAATES FROM NORTH DAKOTA TO VERMONT. IN THEIR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE A PREMIER HIKING EXPERIENCE, THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL ASSOCIATION (NCTA) HAS A GOAL TO GET THE MAJORITY OF ITS TRAILS OFF ROADS. AS OF THE END OF 2020, TWO THIRDS OF THE NCNST MET THAT GOAL. THE SECTION OF THE NCNST THAT THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST (ANF) CHAPTER MAINTAINS HAS ONLY 3.75 MILES OR 3.8% OF ITS 95.7 MILES OF TRAIL ON ROADS. OF THAT 1.4 MILES CAN BE MOVED OFF ROAD. THE PURPOSE OF OUR WORK IS TO UTILIZE AVAILABLE NATURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES WITHIN OUR REGION TO IMPROVE TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES, PROVIDE OUTDOOR RECREATION TO THE PUBLIC, AND IMPROVE THE LOCAL ECONOMY. 7801 10006 SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION: IN 2024, PENNSOIL RC&D INITIATED A PROJECT THAT INCLUDED SCHEDULED MEETINGS FOR INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS SUCH AS WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE, THE AMISH POPULATION, VETERANS, NEW AND BEGINNING FARMERS, AND/OR INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING URBAN FARMING ENTERPRISES EITHER IN PERSON OR REMOTELY TO HELP ACQUAINT THEM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR RECEIVING TECHNICAL OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM USDA NRCS. WE ALSO HELPED PROMOTE MRCS CONSERVATION PROGRAMS AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, REMOTE LEARNING ONLINE VIA ZOOM INVITATION, AND OUR WEBSITE WWW.PENNSOIL.ORG. WE HOSTED THREE PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS TO HELP THEM MANAGE THEIR GRASSLANDS MORE EFFECTIVELY TO IMPROVE SOIL HEALTH AND PROFITABIIY OF THEIR FARMING OPERATIONS. WE ALSO PROVIDED CONSULTIVE ASSSISTANCE WITH LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS FROM A PAID CONSULTANT AND NUMEROUS EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS TO HELP PRODUCERS BETER UNDERSTAND MANAGEMENT OF STOCKPILED GRAZING FORAGES AND MANAGEMENT OF THEIR ANIMALS. THE RESULTS OF THIS EFFORT WILL INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO MANAGE THEIR LANDS BETTER, PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, IMPROVE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT, AND INCREASE ECONOMIC RETURNS FROM THEIR LANDS. WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF WARM SEASON GRASS PRODUCERS TO RAISE FUNDS AND IMPLEMENT A 3-YEAR-ON-FARM FIELD RESEARCH TRIAL OF IMPROVED WARM-SEASON GRASS VARIETIES. THIS PROJECT WILL EVALUATE THE ESTABLISHEMNT AND YIELD OF NEW SWITCHGRASS AND BIG BLUESTEM VARIETIES ON THREE SEPARATE FARMS IN PENNSYLVANIA. THIS WILL INCLUDE MEASUREMENTS OF SEEDLING DENSITY, MID-SEASON SWARD HEIGHTS, AND FALL BIOMASS YIELD. PROMISING NEW VARIETIES OF BOTH SWITCHGRASS AND BIG BLUESTEM ARE BEING RELEASED WITH GREATER YIELD AND GREATER DISEASE RESISTANCE. LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE NEW VARIETIES IN THE PENNSYLVANIA ECOREGION. BECAUSE RE-ESTABLISHING PERENNIAL GRASS FIELDS CAN BE SLOW AND RISKY, THIS PROJECT PROPOSES TO EVALUATE THE EARLY SWARD VIGOR AND BIOMASS YIELDS OF SIX NEW VARIETIES. THESE VARIABLES WILL BE EVALUATED USING A STRIP-PLOT DESIGN WITH TWO REPLICATES PER FARM ON THREE FARM FIELDS PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF ASSOCIATION OF WARM SEASON GRASS PRODUCERS. WE ALSO PARTNERED THE US FOREST SERVICE TO ADVANCE AND COMPLETE A FIVE-YEAR STUDY AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CARBON MODELING IN FOREST MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN PA AND MD AND EXPANDED THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH AND TRAINING ON FOREST CARBON MANDAGEMENT THOUGH A SERIES OF FOUR ONLINE WEBINARS TO ALL STATE AND TRIBAL FORESTRY AGENCIES IN REGION 9 OF THE STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY SECTION OF THE US FOREST SERVICE. WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE CENTRAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO IMPROVING RURAL FIRE PROTECTION NETWORK THROUGH INSTALLLATION OF TWO DRY FIRE HYDRANTS IN PONDS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN OUR AREA TO IMPROVE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIME FOR FIRE-FIGHTING EMERGENCIES. 30137 true false false false false false false false false true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 3 0 true 2 true false false false false false false false false X 24 24 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true false false false PA X X SHERRY MOORE 8147261441 4000 CONEWANGO AVE WARREN PA 16365 X TOM MCCLURE CHAIRMAN 5.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 TED THARAN COMMISSIONER 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KATIE STOVER CONSERVATION DISTRICT 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TRUDY ALEXANDER CONSERVATION DISTRICT 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CHRISTOPHER SEELEY Jr COMMISSIONER 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TRACY CRAWFORD CONSERVATION DISTRICT 5.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 BRENTON DAVIS COUNTY EXECUTIVE 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 SCOTT WEIKERT MEMBER AT LARGE 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MARK KINGSTON COMMISSIONER 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MARY BURRIS LAWRENCE CO CONS DISTRICT 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JIM MONDOK MEMBER AT LARGE 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TOM SCHAFFER MEMBER AT LARGE 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 NICK TRIVELLI CONSERVATION DISTRICT 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MARILYN BLACK SECRETARY OF THE BOARD 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LUKE KAUFFMAN MEMBER AT LARGE 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LISETTE LANE CONSERVATION DISTRICT 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KEN BRYAN COMMISSIONER 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ED ATWOOD MEMBER AT LARGE 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 DANIEL GLOTZ COMMISSIONER 1.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JACK PRESTON VICE CHAIRMAN 1.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 WESLEY W RAMSEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 20.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 SHERRY MOORE BOOKKEEPER 11.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 DONNA ZOFCIN TREASURER 5.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 SUE NIELSEN ASST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 24.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 false false false X 22075 40770 37191 100036 PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE 110000 3805 3805 3805 0 INTEREST INCOME 110000 10 10 110000 10 103851 3805 10 0 40985 21551 19434 3416 3416 400 400 273 273 1500 1500 707 422 285 6175 6175 3535 514 3021 SUPPLIES 7163 5836 1327 CONTRACT LABOR 10840 1541 9299 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 1362 1362 RENTAL 1753 1753 1011 1011 79120 30137 48983 0 50 50 70696 95017 24686 24686 70746 95067 0 0 X -7633 54297 78379 40770 70746 95067 70746 95067 24731 -410 0 X false false false X 1555 1627 5000 8182 1555 1627 5000 8182 8182 8182 1.00000 1.00000 X 6566 6566 6566 6566 6566 6566 6566 6566 6566 6566 false false 24686 24686 Form 990 governing body review Part VI line 11 FORM 990, PART VI SECTION B, LINE 11A EXECUTIVE OFFICERS WILL REVIEW 990 BEFORE FILED. ENTIRE BOARD WILL REVIEW SUBSEQUENTLY. Conflict of interest policy compliance Part VI line 12c FORM 990, PART VI SECTION B, LINE 12C: BOARD CHAIR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OFFICE MANAGER COORDINATE REVIEW OF CONFLICT OF INTERESTS. Governing documents etc available to public Part VI line 19 990 IS AVAILABLE ON WWW.GUIDESTAR.COM. THE 990 AND OTHER ITEMS REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Part VIII response or note to any line in Part VIII FORM 990 2025 PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:TOURISM: TO INCREASE TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR REGION, WE CO-HOSTED THE 9TH ANNUAL NATURE ART SHOWCASE & SALE EVENT, RECRUITING 76 ARTISTS AND DISPLAY 104 ART PIECES REPRESENTING THE NATURAL AND RECREATIONAL ASSETS OF NORTHWESTERN PA, THROUGH DIVERSE MEDIA, WHICH WERE DISPLAYED AND AVAILABLE FOR SALE TO THE PUBLIC ON FEBRUARY 7-8, 2025. WE ALSO BEGAN PLANNING, REORGANIZING, AND RECRUITING ARTISTS FOR THE TENTH ANNUAL EVENT SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY OF 2026. WE ALSO CONTINUED TO ADMINISTER AND MANAGE THE CREATION OF A PROJECT TO INCREASE VISITATION TO THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST IN HONOR OF THE 100-YEAR HISTORY ITS CREATION IN 1923. TWENTY-EIGHT INDIVIDUAL GEOCACHES WERE DEVELOPED AND PLACED AT SPECIFIC HISTORIC LOCATIONS WITHIN THE FOUR COUNTIES COMPRISING THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST. PENNSOIL RC&D CREATED THE PASSPORT DOCUMENT AND MADE IT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC DOWNLOAD FROM OUR WEBSITE. THE EXACT LOCATIONS WERE PUBLISHED ON THE INTERNET AND GPS COORDINATES WERE USED FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEEK OUT THE GEOCACHES. GEOCACHERS WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND THE GEOCACHES AND RECORD THE DATES THEY FOUND THE SPECIFIC GEOCACHES ON THEIR PASSPORT AS WELL AS RECORDING THEIR EXPERIENCE AND COMMENTS ONLINE. GEOCACHERS WHO WOULD FIND 20 OUT OF THE 28 GEOCACHES WOULD BE ABLE TO REDEEM THEIR PASSPORT DOCUMENTS FOR A FREE SOUVENIR TOKEN COMMEMORATING THE CREATION OF THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST. THE PROJECT AGREEMENT TO CREATE THE GEO-TRAIL BEGAN IN FEBRUARY OF 2023 AND ENDED ON DECEMBER 31, 2025. HOWEVER, THE PROJECT CONTINUES TO BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY. A TOTAL OF 1625 INDIVIDUAL FINDS WERE RECORDED IN 2025. WE ALSO DID PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS ON THE USE OF GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS AND THE OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY OF GEOCACHING. WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE ALLEGHENY OUTDOOR CLUB TO REPRINT INTERPRETIVE SIGNS IN NEED OF REPAIR ALONG SELF-GUIDED NATURE TRAILS AT THE BIG BEND RECREATION AREA AT KINZUA DAM AND CO-SPONSORED THE EAGLE WATCH EVENT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. WE ALSO ASSISTED THE ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST CHAPTER OF THE NORTH COUNTY TRAIL ASSOCIATION RELOCATE 1.2 MILE SECTION OF THE NORTH COUNTY TRAIL OFF A PUBLIC ROAD ONTO ADJACENT FOREST LAND IN FOREST COUNTY, PA BY PROVIDING FUNDING FOR PURCHASE OF MATERIALS USED IN THE TRAIL RELOCATION PROJECT AND FOR CREATING FOUR INTERPRETIVE SIGNS TO DENOTE SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL LOCATIONS ALONG THE NEW TRAIL SEGMENT. THE NORTH COUNTY NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL (NCNST) IS THE LONGEST IN THE NATIONAL TRAIL SYSTEMS, STRETCHING ALMOST 4800 MILES ACROSS EIGHT STATES FROM NORTH DAKOTA TO VERMONT. IN THEIR EFFORTS TO PROVIDE A PREMIER HIKING EXPERIENCE, THE NORTH COUNTY TRAIL ASSOCIATION (NCTA) HAS A GOAL TO GET THE MAJORITY OF ITS TRAIL OFF PUBLIC ROADS. WE ALSO CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE MAINENANCE OF THE BABY ARCH MONUMENT PROJECT TO HONOR THE 280 LOCAL LABORERS THAT HELPED FABRICATE THE STAINLESS STEEL SECTIONS OF THE GATEWAY ARCH BUILT IN WARREN COUNTY AND ULTIMATELY ERECTED AT THE NATIONAL PARK IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. THE PURPOSE OF OUR WORK IS TO UTILIZE AVAILABLE NATURAL AND HISTORIC RESOURCES WITHIN OUR REGION TO IMPROVE TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES, PROVIDE OUTDOOR RECREATION TO THE PUBLIC, AND IMPROVE THE LOCAL ECONOMY. SOCIAL AND WATER CONSERVATION: IN 2024 AND 2025, PENN SOIL RD&D ACCEPTED A PROJECT THAT INCLUDED SCHEDULING MEETINGS FOR INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS SUCH AS WOMEN IN AGRICULTURE, THE AMISH POPULATION, VETERANS, NEW AND BEGINNING FARMERS, AND/OR INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING URBAN FARMING ENTERPRISES EITHER IN PERSON OR REMOTELY TO HELP ACQUAINT THEM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR RECEIVING TECHNICAL OR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM USDA NRCS. WE ALSO HELPED PROMOTE NRCS CONSERVATION PROGRAMS AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, REMOTE LEARNING ONLINE VIA ZOOM INVITATION, AND OUR WEBSITE WWW.PENNSOIL.ORG. WE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION ON MARCH 15, 2025 THAT THIS GRANT WAS TERMINATED BY THE NEW FEDERAL ADMINISTRAION. WE HOSTED TWO PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL MEETINGS FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS TO HELP THEM MANAGE THEIR GRASSLANDS MORE EFFECTIVELY TO IMPROVE SOIL HEALTH AND PROFITABILITY OF THEIR FARMING OPERATIONS. THE RESULTS OF THIS EFFORT WILL INCREASE OPPORTUNITES FOR PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO MANAGE THEIR LANDS BETTER, PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, IMPROVE WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT, AND INCREASE ECONOMIC RETURNS FROM THEIR LANDS. WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF WARM SEASON GRASS PRODUCERS TO RAISE FUNDS AND COMPLETED A 3-YEAR ON-FARM FIELD RESEARCH TRIAL OF IMPROVED WARM-SEASON GRASS VARIETIES. THIS PROJECT EVALUATED THE ESTABLISHMENT AND YIELD OF NEW SWITCHGRASS AND BIG BLUESTEM VARIETIES ON THREE SEPARATE FARMS IN PENNSYLVANIA. THIS INCLUDED MEASUREMENTS OF SEEDLING DENSITY, MID-SEASON SWARD HEIGHTS, AND FALL BIOMASS YIELD. PROMISING NEW VARIETIES OF BOTH SWITCHGRASS AND BIG BLUESTEM ARE BEING RELEASED WITH GREATER YIELD AND GREATER DISEASE RESISTANCE. LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE VARIETIES IN THE PENNSYLVANIA ECOREGION. BECAUSE RE-ESTABLISHING PERENNIAL GRASS FIELDS CAN BE SLOW AND RISKY, THIS PROJECT EVALUATED THE EARLY SWARD VIGOR AND BIOMASS YIELDS OF SIX NEW VARIETIES. THESE VARIABLES WERE EVALUATED USING A STRIP-PLOT DESIGN WITH TWO REPLICATES PER FARM ON THREE FIELDS PROVIDED BY MEMBERS OF ASSOCIATION OF WARM SEASON GRASS PRODUCERS. CONCLUSIONS OF THE STUDY HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED: AVERAGE END YEAR YIELD WAS 1.19 TONS PER ACRE, BUT 3RD YEAR WAS OVER 4 TONS PER ACRE. IN THE THIRD YEAR, TIMBER AND INDEPENDANCE VARIETIES PRODUCED AN AVERAGE OF 40% MORE BIOMASS THAN THE NEXT BEST UPLAND SWITCHGRASS CULTIVARS (RC CHIPPEWA AND CAVE-IN-ROCK). WE ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE US FOREST SERVICE TO ADVANCE AND COMPLETE A FIVE-YEAR STUDY AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF CARBON MODELING IN FOREST MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN PA AND MD AND EXPANDED THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH AND TRAINING ON FOREST CARBON MANAGEMENT THROUGH A SERIES OF FOUR ONLINE WEBINARS TO ALL STATE AND TRIBAL FORESTRY AGENCIES IN REGION 9 OF THE STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY SECTION OF THE US FOREST SERVICE. WE ALSO RECEIVED A CONVENING GRANT FROM THE FOUNDATION FOR PA WATERSHEDS TO ENABLE US TO ATTEND DISCOVER PRESQUE ISLE AND THE FOREST COUNTY YOUTH FIELD DAY TO PRESENT WATER SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FREE TO THE PUBLIC AT THESE EVENTS. THIS INCLUDED PROPERLY FITTING KIDS AND ADULTS FOR PFDS, DEMONSTRATION HOW TO USE A THROW BAG TO PERFORM A SHORELINE RESCUE, INFORMATION ABOUT HYPERTHERMIA AND HYPOTHERMIA, COLD WATER SHOCK, HOW TO SIGNAL FOR HELP IN REMOTE REGIONS, NATIVE AND INVASIVE SPECIES, STORM WATER MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AND MORE. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: WE ACCEPTED NEW REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM A VOLUNTEER SENIOR CITIZEN GROUP TO REPLACE A DETERIORATING FUNCTIONAL GREENHOUSE AT THE WARREN STATE HOSPITAL WHERE THE VOLUNTEERS WERE PLANTING SEEDS AND PRODUCING STARTER VEGETABLES AND FLOWER PLANTS FOR SALE TO THE COMMUNITY TO RAISE FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF DONATIONS TO OTHER COMMUNITY NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN WARREN COUNTY. THEIR LEASE ON THE OLD STATE-OWNED FACILITY WAS TERMINATE DUE TO STRUCTURAL DEFICIENCIES AND WE ARE NOW ACTIVELY DEVELOPING PROJECT NARRATIVES AND A BUDGET PLAN TO SOLICIT FUNDING TO BUILD A NEW GREENHOUSE FACILITY AT A LOCAL SENIOR CITIZEN RESIDENTIAL FACILITY WITHIN THE COUNTY TO ENA BLE THE GROUP TO CONTINUE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY NEEDS. MEADVILLE AREA RECREATIONAL GARDENS TO CREATE A NEW URBAN FARMING ENTERPRISE TO GROW FRESH FOOD WITHIN THE CITY OF MEADVILLE AND SUBMITTED A FEDERAL GRANT PROPOSAL TO CREATE AND ON-THE-JOB TRAINING PROGRAM FOR A NEW AND BEGINNING FARMER TO PROVIDE NUTRITIOUS LOCALLY GROWN FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR RESIDENTS OF MEADVILLES LOW-INCOME, LOW-ACCESS FOOD AREAS BY LAUNCHING THE FIRST URBAN FARMING OPERATION WITHIN THE CITY. LIKE MANY COMMUNITIES, MEADVILLE AND CRAWFORD COUNTY NEED NEW FARMERS ENTERING THE FIELD, PRODUCING GOOD FRESH PRODUCE, AND SELLING THROUGH LOCAL MARKETS, LIKE THE MEADVILLE MARKET HOUSE, EDINBORO MARKET, AND OTHER REGIONAL FARMERS MARKETS. A COMMITTED PARTNER IN THIS PROJECT IS THE MEADVILLE MARKET HOUSE. THE MARKET SERVES AN ESTIMATED POPULATION OF 85,000 RESIDENTS OF CRAWFORD COUNTY INCLUDING 13,000 RESIDENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF MEADVILLE WITH 18% OF RESIDENTS BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. THE MARKET HOUSE IS THE OLDEST, CONTINUOUSLY OPERATING FARMERS MARKET IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA AND CONNECTS FARMERS AND GROWERS WITH THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES TO OFFER LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD PRODUCTS. THE MARKET HOUSE HAS COMMITTED TO SERVING AS AN OUTLET FOR A NEW FARMER AT THE MARC TOWN FARM, OFFERING INDOOR MARKET SPACE AND COLD STORAGE AS WELL AS SPACE IN THEIR WEEKLY FARMERS MARKET THE RUNS MAY-OCTOBER. AS AN OUTLET THAT ACCEPTS SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS (SNAP), THE OUTLET THAT THE MARKET HOUSE PRESENTS WILL BE CRITICAL FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF LOCAL PRODUCTS GROWN BY THE NEW FARMER AT THE MARC TOWN