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SASWCD EVENTS

While our August field days may be over, we are so thankful to the many attendees and sponsorships from various organizations and grant projects that allowed keynote speaker Dale Strickler, rancher and agronomist for Green Cover Seed, to travel to Maine and for the other speakers to share their knowledge and expertise for both "Managing Irrigation" and "Adaptive Grazing" field days. We are grateful to Farm Credit East, UMaine Cooperative Extension's SARE grant, and SASWCD's DEP '319' grant funding for the financial support to make these field days happen!

UPCOMING EVENT:

September 13 from 4-6pm, please join SASWCD for:

Sept 13 22 Woodlot Walk and Talk for website

Join IF&W's private lands biologist Joseph Roy for a trail walk and discussion on increasing diversity "from the ground up" to benefit forest stands and wildlife. Pre-registration is required for this event and class size is limited. FMI or to register, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 254-4126.

GRANT PROJECTS

MEDUXNEKEAG RIVER WATERSHED RESTORATION, PHASE II PROJECT- The SASWCD will be using the remainder of this DEP administered grant for an August 10 Field Day, "Managing Irrigation for Crop Improvement, Soil Health, and Water Source Conservation" at Fitzpatrick Farms in Houlton. We have some great speakers lined up, including soil health speaker Dale Strickler from Kansas. Stay tuned for lots more information on this event!

FARMS and RIVERS for the FUTURE - This partnership grant project among UMaine, Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, NRCS, and SASWCD completed its one-on-one interviews with livestock and crop farmers in the Meduxnekeag Watershed and followed up with on-farm visits this past summer. The project aims to gain a better understanding of the needs and potential barriers of farmers adopting certain best management practices (BMPs). A working document has been developed to help guide us as we apply for future grants to assist farmers with their technical on-farm needs. Those interested in reading more about the project may access the technical document here: WRRI Technical Report

PROJECT CANOPY GRANT - The SASWCD was awarded a 2020 Project Canopy Grant, a community forestry program of the Maine Forest Service, to conduct a street tree survey in Houlton. The project has been completed with a written report provided to the Town of Houlton that includes recommendations and guidance on future maintenance and tree plantings within the town. Tara King, GIS specialist with NRCS, developed an interactive map of surveyed trees that allows users to glean specific information on the trees. The online map can be accessed at ArcGIS Dashboards. The District has received a new Project Canopy Grant and will begin implementing some tree planting in the town in September. Like SASWCD's Facebook page to learn about this planting project.

MOBILE KITCHEN CART PROJECT - With Covid restrictions being released, the SASWCD has been busy getting students back to the project's focus on in-class cooking and field trips. The grant project will end with the school year in June and we look forward to using nutrition education with the Charlie Cart to further healthy eating for students.

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About Soil and Water Conservation Districts:

Soil and Water Conservation Districts work as the grass roots connection between local, state and federal agencies and producers and have done so since 1935, when Congress agreed to a Soil Conservation Service after spending an afternoon in session with skies darkened by soil particles blown in from the Great Plains. The Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District became recognized under Maine State Law in January of 1942. Since then, the SASWCD has grown from working with farmers as conservation "cooperators" to include all landowners.

Education for all landowners is an important part of our work. Check out listings under "Education" and "Fundraising" to see what is happening this fall in Southern Aroostook.