County Executive and ACCD Highlight Conservation in Action at Round Hill Demonstration Farm
Photo: John Scott of Scott Dairy Farm, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, and ACCD Executive Director Heather Manzo tour Round Hill Demonstration Farm to support healthy soil and clean water.
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato joined Allegheny County Conservation District (ACCD) for a Field Day at Round Hill Demonstration Farm, showcasing how collaboration and conservation go hand in hand.
The Field Day highlighted how the partnership between ACCD and Allegheny County Parks has advanced soil and water health across the region. Farmers, technical service providers, and partners came together to see on-the-ground practices that improve soil, protect waterways, and strengthen farmland.
Guided by ACCD staff and Farm Manager Terry Fox, participants toured a range of projects, including pond rehabilitation, spring development, riparian buffer plantings, and nutrient management. Each project illustrates how multiple programs, funding sources, and county partnerships work together to restore ecological health and support the future of local agriculture.
“County parks are a proving ground for conservation,” said Heather Manzo, ACCD Executive Director. “Our longstanding partnership with the County ensures these natural spaces remain healthy, resilient, and beneficial for generations to come.”
“Farms and demonstration sites like Round Hill connect us to our agricultural roots and remind us of where we came from,” said County Executive Sara Innamorato. “They strengthen food security and serve as places to demonstrate conservation and sustainability, showcasing the best and most innovative practices.”
Attendees also included Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Executive Director Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Allegheny County Parks Foundation Executive Director Joey-Linn Ulrich, Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State Director Tom Bartnik, Allegheny County Agricultural Lands Preservation Board Chair Thomas Headley, John Scott of Scott Dairy Farm, Amy Cline of Windnoll Kennel and Farm, and others.
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Learn More: ACCD, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), awarded more than $1.4 million in infrastructure funding to farms.
Press Release