Capital RC&D
Capital RC&D is a Carlisle, PA-based 503(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2008 that provides free and cost-shared agricultural conservation technical assistance, soil health monitoring, and grazing advisory services to farmers, graziers, county conservation districts, and NRCS offices across seven south-central Pennsylvania counties.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersCarlisle, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Capital RC&D does
Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, Inc. (Capital RC&D) is a Carlisle, Pennsylvania-based 503(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2008 that delivers agricultural conservation technical assistance, educational programming, and grant-funded cost-share programs to farmers, graziers, and landowners across seven south-central Pennsylvania counties—Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York—situated within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The organization is staffed by approximately 20 employees, some of whom are embedded in 10 USDA-NRCS field offices to provide administrative and technical capacity support. Service delivery is community-led and free or reduced-cost, comprising one-to-one grazing advisement, farmer-to-farmer technical mentorship, pasture walks, field days, webinars, soil health monitoring using Teralytic wireless probes and Cornell/Penn State lab analysis, no-till and cover crop transition support (Park the Plow), high tunnel grower resources, agroforestry education through the NEMA Working Group (14-state Northeast/Mid-Atlantic footprint), and fiscal sponsorship of watershed groups.
The organization's underlying "technology" is primarily a distributed human-advisory platform supported by limited but targeted instrumentation. Proprietary-feeling components include the Carbon Monitoring project's Teralytic wireless soil probes providing continuous in-field measurements of multiple soil health parameters, a nine-video Life in the Soil microscopic analysis series, and a 60+ video YouTube educational library. Revenue is non-transactional: the organization does not sell products to end users but operates as a pass-through and capacity-builder for federally- and state-funded conservation programs. Primary revenue streams are USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants, NFWF Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund grants, EPA assistance agreements, corporate contributions (e.g., EQT Corporation), and tax-deductible donations, supplemented by fiscal sponsorship fees for watershed groups.
Capital RC&D's customer base spans five primary segments: individual farmers and graziers (primary), seven county conservation districts (primary), USDA-NRCS Pennsylvania offices, watershed groups and non-profits (fiscal sponsorship clients), and forest landowners. The organization competes not on commercial terms but on institutional trust, embedded government relationships, and cumulative grazing expertise (90+ combined years across grazing advisors), positioning it as a critical implementation partner for federal Farm Bill conservation programs in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Capital RC&D firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Capital RC&D
- Legal name
- Capital Resource Conservation and Development Area Council, Inc.
- Website
- https://capitalrcd.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Capital RC&D is a Carlisle, PA-based 503(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2008 that provides free and cost-shared agricultural conservation technical assistance, soil health monitoring, and grazing advisory services to farmers, graziers, county conservation districts, and NRCS offices across seven south-central Pennsylvania counties.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Capital RC&D industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Animal Production (11521)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Assessment / Valuation (EUAHAHAI), Nature & Biodiversity Reporting (TNFD, natural capital) (EUAHAJAM), Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES) (IMAMAJAK)
Keywords
Where Capital RC&D is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carlisle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Capital RC&D business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Grant Funding: Primary revenue from federal and state conservation grants including USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund, and EPA assistance agreements. Grants fund specific conservation projects including grazing infrastructure, soil health monitoring, and water quality improvement.
- Donations: Accepts tax-deductible charitable donations as a 503(c)(3) non-profit organization to support conservation programs and community projects.
- Fiscal Sponsorship: Provides organizational and fiscal sponsorship services to watershed groups and community organizations for improved operations, grant compliance, and non-profit status assistance.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Grazing Infrastructure Grant Program |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Capital RC&D product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Capital RC&D is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free and reduced-cost agricultural conservation technical assistance, education, and grant-funded cost-share programs to farmers, graziers, and landowners across seven south-central Pennsylvania counties within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Its services include one-to-one grazing advisement, soil health and no-till support, high tunnel production guidance, agroforestry programs, carbon and soil monitoring, and educational outreach via podcasts, webinars, and on-farm field days. The organization also provides fiscal sponsorship and staffing support to partner conservation entities including USDA-NRCS, county conservation districts, and watershed groups.
Product overview
Capital RC&D is a nonprofit Resource Conservation and Development organization that operates as a collection of conservation programs and educational services rather than a unified software product. The portfolio includes the Grazing Advisor Program (providing one-to-one technical advice to farmers), Carbon & Soil Health Monitoring (using Teralytic soil probes and lab testing), No-Till & Soil Health Support initiatives (including Park the Plow), High Tunnel Support resources, Local Food Initiative, Growing Green educational materials, and the Conservation Podcast. These services are delivered through educational resources (videos, webinars, fact sheets), technical assistance, cost-share programs, and the bi-monthly e-Newsletter. The organization also hosts the NEMA Agroforestry network and South Mountain GeoTrail project.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NEMA Agroforestry (Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Agroforestry Working Group): A network of researchers, technical service providers, agency staff, farmers and producers focused on educating, promoting and implementing agroforestry systems in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Region.
- The Graziers Grapevine Podcast
- Capital RC&D Conservation Podcast
Products and services
- Grazing Advisor Program One-to-one technical grazing advisement service for farmers and graziers. Advisors with combined 90+ years of experience help address pasture improvement, fencing, grazing planning, weed management, soil health, and forage species selection. Service is provided free to eligible participants across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
- Carbon & Soil Health Monitoring Soil carbon monitoring and assessment service using Teralytic wireless soil probes and Cornell/Penn State soil testing. Evaluates testing methods and impact of soil conservation techniques on soil carbon levels for participation in carbon markets.
- No-Till & Soil Health Support Resources and programs supporting transition to or improvement of no-till systems, including the PA Soil Health Video Series, PA No-till Alliance activities, and tillage practice surveys in Chesapeake Bay counties. Designed for farmers and agency staff.
- Park the Plow Program Program promoting no-till farming as a more profitable and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional farming methods. Provides technical assistance, planning services, incentive payments, and Certified Crop Adviser services to help transition farms to continuous no-till approach. Program goal: transform 9,000 acres of local farmland across approximately 40 farms in seven counties.
- High Tunnel Support Comprehensive support for high tunnel growers including video library, webinars, financial assistance guidance through NRCS EQIP, building/maintenance resources, crop production guidance, disease management, vendor listings, and the High Tunnel Talk newsletter.
- Local Food Initiative Program encouraging consumption of locally produced agricultural products, supports SNAP/EBT acceptance at farmers markets, provides marketing webinar series for producers, and includes the Growing Green educational series about conservation practices.
- Tillage and Cover Crop Survey Annual survey conducted each spring and fall since 2012 in selected counties within the Chesapeake Bay watershed to document tillage/crop residue and cover crop practices on agricultural acreage. Data informs conservation program planning and agency reporting.
- Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Agroforestry (NEMA) Program Network providing administrative support for agroforestry collaboration across 14 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, including webinars, professional development training resources, and information about alley cropping, silvopasture, windbreaks, forest farming, and riparian buffers.
- South Mountain GeoTrail Project Project connecting significant agricultural, natural, and heritage sites through geocaching, including farms, farm markets, wineries, historic sites, and outdoor recreation assets across Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York Counties.
- Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Support Weed Control and Wildlife Program serving CREP landowners, including videos on wildlife habitat benefits and buffer maintenance, with goal of optimizing water quality and habitat improvements.
- Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Outreach Outreach program helping landowners understand and enroll in CSP, which provides financial and technical assistance for conserving and enhancing soil, water, air, and natural resources on cropland, grassland, pastureland, and forestlands.
- Grazing Infrastructure Cost-Share Grants 90% cost-share grant program with awards between $2,000 and $18,000 per project for grazing infrastructure improvements, covering fencing, watering systems, streambank fencing, stream crossings, riparian buffer installations, and pasture seedings.
- NRCS Technical Assistance Technical staff placement and administrative support for USDA-NRCS offices across Pennsylvania, providing conservation program implementation support, outreach, and technical functions.
- Fiscal Sponsorship Services Provides organizational and fiscal sponsorship services to watershed groups and community organizations for improved operations, grant compliance, and non-profit status assistance.
Quantifiable outcome
- Transformed 9,000 acres of farmland to no-till and cover cropping across 40 farms in seven counties
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Capital RC&D
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Capital RC&D technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Capital RC&D partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)coreCollaborative partner on NFWF-funded grazing and water quality improvement projects. CBF provides grant administration and partners with Capital RC&D for educational resources, peer-to-peer technical assistance, field days, and pasture walks across seven Pennsylvania counties.
- USDA-NRCS PennsylvaniacorePrimary federal partner providing Conservation Innovation Grants, Soil Health Management Plan standards (CPA 116), COMET-Farm tool access, and Conservation Evaluation and Management Activity (CEMA) framework. NRCS provides technical standards, funding, and access to conservation programs. Capital RC&D places staff in NRCS offices and supports Farm Bill program implementation.
- TeralyticcoreSoil probe manufacturer providing wireless in-field probes for continuous monitoring of soil carbon, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, pH, and temperature. Used in Carbon Monitoring project to track soil health parameters across participating farms.
- Climate Smart Environmental Consulting, LLCcoreProject partner providing expertise in carbon sequestration assessment and climate-smart agricultural practices for the Carbon Monitoring project.
- Team Ag, Inc.coreAgronomic consulting services provider supporting the Carbon Monitoring project with technical expertise in agricultural systems and carbon credit development.
- Cornell Soil Health LaboratorycoreProvides Comprehensive Assessment of Soil Health (CASH) testing services and lab analysis for soil samples collected from project farms as part of Carbon Monitoring project.
- Penn State University / Penn State ExtensioncoreResearch and extension partner providing soil testing services, technical expertise, and collaboration on cover crop grazing research, silvopasture projects, and educational programming.
- PA Grazing Lands Coalition (PA-GLC)coreCo-producer of Graziers Grapevine podcast and collaborative partner on grazing education programs, pasture walks, and regional grazing network support.
- County Conservation DistrictscoreSeven county conservation districts (Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, York) serve as local partners for conservation program delivery, technical support, and survey coordination.
- Stroud Water Research CenterminorResearch partner collaborating on watershed projects and supporting pasture walk events and educational programming.
- Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Agroforestry (NEMA) Working GroupminorCapital RC&D provides administrative support for NEMA, a network of researchers, technical service providers, agency staff, farmers and producers focused on agroforestry education and implementation across 14 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states.
- South Mountain PartnershipminorRegional partnership supporting the South Mountain GeoTrail project and landscape conservation across Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York Counties.
- Dickinson College FarmminorResearch partner farm participating in carbon monitoring, soil health assessment, and silvopasture establishment projects in Boiling Springs, PA.
- Central Pennsylvania ConservancyminorNon-profit conservation partner collaborating on Community Supported Forests publication and South Mountain landscape conservation initiatives.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Capital RC&D competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Chesapeake Bay Foundation: The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a major regional nonprofit focused on restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed through agricultural best management practices, policy advocacy, and education. Capital RC&D collaborates with CBF on NFWF-funded grazing projects, and both serve overlapping farmer audiences across the same PA, MD, and VA geography with conservation programming.
- Stroud Water Research Center: Stroud Water Research Center conducts freshwater research, watershed education, and agricultural best management practice work across the Mid-Atlantic, including the Brandywine and Christina River basins. Capital RC&D partners with Stroud on watershed projects and pasture walks, making it a directly comparable watershed-focused nonprofit serving overlapping geographies and farmer audiences.
- Central Pennsylvania Conservancy: Central Pennsylvania Conservancy is a regional land trust conserving natural and working lands across central Pennsylvania, including the South Mountain region. Capital RC&D partners with CPC on the Community Supported Forests publication and South Mountain conservation work, making it a directly comparable regional conservation nonprofit operating in overlapping south-central PA geography.
- Resource Conservation & Development Councils (national network): The broader USDA-affiliated RC&D council network (now operated largely through the National Association of Conservation Districts) includes regional councils across the U.S. delivering NRCS-aligned conservation technical assistance, grazing advising, and watershed programming. As an RC&D council itself, Capital RC&D is directly comparable in mission, structure, and service model to peer councils in other states and regions.
- PA Grazing Lands Coalition: The PA Grazing Lands Coalition is a farmer-led nonprofit organization promoting sustainable grazing management across Pennsylvania. Capital RC&D co-produces the Graziers Grapevine podcast with PA-GLC and collaborates on pasture walks and grazing education — making it a directly comparable grazing-education peer serving the same Pennsylvania livestock farmer base.
Broad incumbents
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: NFWF is a major national conservation grantmaking organization that funds Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration including the Small Watershed Grants program that finances Capital RC&D's grazing and cover crop projects. NFWF is a funder/peer in the same watershed conservation space, operating at a national scale that broadly overlaps Capital RC&D's Pennsylvania program focus.
- Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE): SARE is a USDA-funded program that funds farmer-driven sustainable agriculture research, education, and Extension projects nationwide, including cover cropping and rotational grazing work. SARE and Capital RC&D both serve farmers with sustainable agriculture technical assistance and grants, though SARE operates at a national scale across four regional host institutions.
- The Nature Conservancy (Pennsylvania): The Nature Conservancy's Pennsylvania chapter is a major land and water conservation nonprofit operating across the Commonwealth, with overlapping freshwater, working lands, and forest stewardship priorities. While significantly larger and broader in scope, TNC-PA competes with Capital RC&D for limited conservation funding, donor mindshare, and partnership attention in the same geographic and thematic space.
- Penn State Extension: Penn State Extension is the statewide public agricultural extension service delivering research-based education, soil health, and grazing technical assistance to Pennsylvania farmers. As a broader, publicly funded institution with overlapping soil health, grazing, and conservation programming, Penn State Extension is a partial incumbent peer sharing farmers and technical subject matter with Capital RC&D.
- American Farmland Trust: American Farmland Trust is a national nonprofit working to protect farmland, promote sound farming practices, and keep farmers on the land. While broader in geographic scope than Capital RC&D, AFT operates overlapping soil health, regenerative grazing, and farmland conservation programming with comparable technical-assistance and grant-funded delivery models.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Capital RC&D social profiles
Digital presenceCapital RC&D financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Capital RC&D leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Capital RC&D funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Capital RC&D M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Capital RC&D
What does Capital RC&D do?
Capital RC&D is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free and reduced-cost agricultural conservation technical assistance, education, and grant-funded cost-share programs to farmers, graziers, and landowners across seven south-central Pennsylvania counties within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Its services include one-to-one grazing advisement, soil health and no-till support, high tunnel production guidance, agroforestry programs, carbon and soil monitoring, and educational outreach via podcasts, webinars, and on-farm field days. The organization also provides fiscal sponsorship and staffing support to partner conservation entities including USDA-NRCS, county conservation districts, and watershed groups.
Is Capital RC&D a public or private company?
Capital RC&D is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Capital RC&D founded?
Capital RC&D was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Capital RC&D based?
Capital RC&D is headquartered in Carlisle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Capital RC&D make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and fiscal Sponsorship.
Who are Capital RC&D's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Stroud Water Research Center, Central Pennsylvania Conservancy, Resource Conservation & Development Councils (national network) and PA Grazing Lands Coalition. Broad incumbents are National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE), The Nature Conservancy (Pennsylvania), Penn State Extension and American Farmland Trust.
Does Capital RC&D have an API?
No public API is recorded for Capital RC&D.
What industry is Capital RC&D in?
Capital RC&D's product category is Agricultural Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAC, Land Trusts & Protected Areas, with a secondary code of EUAHAHAI, Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Assessment / Valuation. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 700.