Southern Aroostook SWCD’s eagerly anticipated and popular Ag School 2021 classes are online and in-person this year. All classes require pre-registration. Please be respectful of others and follow mask guidelines as needed.

Topics covered for the Winter & Spring Ag School this year will be: Beekeeping, Small Woodlot Owners Walk & Talk, Updates on Soil Health, Intro to Permaculture, Raised Bed Gardening, Vernal Pools, and Beginning Women’s Chainsaw Safety. In some instances, credits will be available.

For updates, details, and contact/registration information, visit the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District website:

http://www.saswcd.org/index.php/education/winter-ag-school

2021 Winter & Spring Ag School is presented by SASWCD with assistance from Maine Forest Service and Workshop Speakers. Funding for Soil Health Class made possible through US-EPA under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act.

Looking for the REAL MAINE ? Experience local food, recipes, activities, shopping, and more by visiting the Real Maine website. Maine made items from maple syrup to lavender sachets are featured, as are farmer’s markets and CSAs – Community Supported Agriculture. Check out the REAL MAINE website when you’re planning that next in-state road trip and discover new-to-you destinations that will take you off the beaten path.

The first State Technical Committee took place virtually on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. As described on the Maine Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) webpage, the State Techncial Committee advises NRCS and other U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies, “… on the implementation of the natural resources conservation provisions of Farm Bill legislation. Committees are intended to include members from a wide variety of natural resource and agricultural interests. Chaired by the NRCS State Conservationist in each State, these Committees are composed of representatives from Federal and State natural resource agencies, American Indian Tribes, agricultural and environmental organizations, and agricultural producers.”

State Technical Committee Meeting info is available to learn more about the meeting.

Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is happy to announce that the 2021 Tree & Plant Sale has begun and the early birds get the worm! 🐦

This year, PCSWCD’s Tree and Plant Sale pre-order deadline is Friday April 23rd, with a curbside pickup date on Saturday, May 8th from 9AM-12PM at the Law Farm Nature Trails located on Lee Cemetery Rd, Dover-Foxcroft. This is one of PCSWCD’s biggest fundraisers with proceeds from the sale directly supporting our educational programs and outreach.

PCSWCD is very pleased to announce we have sourced all our flowers, herbs, shrubs and fruit trees from local, organic producers. New in 2021, we are adding two new suppliers and even more products! All of our producers are located in Maine and some are very close to home! When you support us, you’ll be supporting them too!

What’s more is when you pick up your plant order on May 8^th you will have the chance to speak one-on-one with Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) Soil Scientist, Alaina Kresovik and ask questions about soil health for your garden.

The catalog goes well beyond a listing of trees, shrubs, and plants for sale. Also included is detailed information, planting advice, and wit! To learn more, visit the PCSWCD website .

Are you – or someone you know – looking for a career in conservation?

Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District is looking to fill their District Manager position at its Park Street office in Farmington. The hours will be negotiable up to 40 hrs per week. The applicant should be self-motivated and flexible as well as being able to work independently and with others. The individual will be responsible for: clerical/administrative duties; accounting/financial duties; coordinating and running District education programs for school children and adults; giving technical advice on erosion and sediment control issues and coordinating between the district engineer and clients whenever possible; organizing and working on fund raising activities to help with District expenses;  writing grants appropriate to accomplish District goals as time allows; coordinating and hosting workshops; and other duties as required by the Board of Supervisors.

Applicant should have good writing skills and be able to use QuickBooks and either MS Word or WordPerfect for word processing. An environmental and/or a working knowledge of agriculture is desirable. They must be able to pass security clearance and be finger printed.  Starting pay is $20/hr and $100 per week retirement bonus. Review at the end of 3 months.

Go to https://www.facebook.com/FCSWCD/?ref=page_internal for an application form. Applications will be accepted until March 15^th or until the position is filled. If you have questions please call 207-212-6109. Submit all materials to rosetta.thompson@franklincswcd.org or drop off at Franklin County SWCD, 107 Park Street, Farmington, ME 04938 week days between 8 a.m. & 4 p.m.

All programs and services of Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District are offered on a non-discriminatory basis

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Contact:      Rosetta White, Exec. Director               O: 207-778-4279 or c: 212-6109

                     Franklin County Soil & Water

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) will be hosting organic orchard specialist CJ Walke of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and College of the Atlantic for an evening webinar: Planning a Backyard Orchard. The webinar will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, February 10^th from 6-7:30PM. Registration is required and there is a suggested donation for joining in on the discussion.

The PCSWCD has worked with CJ Walke since 2014. He has offered our constituents hands-on workshops in fruit tree pruning, organic orchard care, grafting, renovating and much more. Anyone who has been to one of CJ’s workshops knows how knowledgeable he is and how much care and attention he provides to folks wanting to understand more about orcharding in Maine. CJ will discuss selecting varieties, planting and care in the first few years. This webinar will be beneficial for folks planning to start an orchard and those looking to expand or renovate an existing one. There will be ample time at the end of the presentation for questions. Additionally, CJ will be tailoring this presentation to folks living in Piscataquis County and linking information shared to products available through the PCSWCD’s annual Tree & Plant Sale. That way, if a suggestion is made for a product or variety of tree to plant, participants will have a first-hand source to get it!

To register, please visit our website www.piscataquisswcd.org. Registration links can be found there and also on our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/www.piscataquisswcd.org. For questions, please reach out to us at info@piscataquisswcd.org or by calling us at 207-564-2321 ext. 3. 

Maine Association of Conservation Districts is pleased to be part of the virtual Maine Ag Trades Show, taking place online January 19-23, 2021. Information and schedules for workshops, and trainings are available via the link below:

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/ard/market_promotion/2021-ag-trades-show.shtml

September 29, 2020 News Release: The Maine Department of Agricultural, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) today announced finding egg masses of the invasive spotted lanternfly (SLF) on trees in Maine communities and is urging residents to report any sign of the invasive pest. The egg masses were found on trees from Pennsylvania, where SLF is established and planted in Boothbay, Freeport, Northeast Harbor, and Yarmouth.

Read the full news release by clicking the link below.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MEDACF/bulletins/2a34f4b

The Maine Association of Conservation Districts is offering free regional webinars to highlight how to protect Maine forests from invasive forest pests. Webinars will be presented by local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) staff and will focus on statewide and regional pest problems.

 Click here to register for the webinar series.

Hosted by Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District

What’s in Your Soil? Let’s Talk About Lead in Maine’s Soils

Free Webinar Tuesday, September 22nd 4:00 to 5:30 PM   Join us for a virtual panel to learn about healthy soils and lead contamination in Maine’s urban soils. The panel will cover soil health, testing for contaminants, exposure pathways, and safety on soils.   Register Here               VISIT OUR WEBSITE!

In addition to the webinar, we are organizing the Portland SoilSHOP at the Portland Farmer’s Market on Saturday, September 26^th. A SoilSHOP is a free soil testing event where anyone can drop off soil samples to be screened for lead contamination for free.