SASWCD is 75!
In celebration of this milestone, we have had some great educational events including a pig roast and SASWCD Awards Recognition dinner August 15. Kingsbury Family Farm was selected as the 2017 Conservation Farmer of the year and we had a great night at Hidden Spring Winery honoring them and Sue Szwed as Outstanding Conservation Partner.
August 16 over 50 people gathered at Donald Fitzpatrick's Farm as part of the CIG FIELD DAY. The field day was part of a three-year Conservation Innovation Grant project the SASWCD has been working on with three area farmers. The day's special guest was Colorado potato farmer Brendon Rockey who has transformed his potato ground through the use of compost, flower strips, multi-species mixes and legume companion plantings with potatoes as a way to stop using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The photo below shows field day participants in Donald's 10 species cover crop mix. Check out information about the CIG Grant under "Projects" and to view more photos of the day.
UPCOMING EVENTS
AROOSTOOK APPLE DAY - The 2nd annual Aroostook Apple Day will be held Saturday, October 7 from 10am to 4:30pm at the Unitarian Church and Cup Café on Military St in Houlton. We've got a great line up of workshops in place and will again feature fruit displays and vendors with local products. Pastries and lunch will be available throughout the day at the Cup Café. Check out our "Education" tab for detailed information or click here on WORKSHOPS for a complete listing. Thanks to the generosity of Maine Farmland Trust, MOFGA, and Fedco Trees, this event is once again FREE and open to the public. Contact the District for more information or if you require special accommodation at 254-4126 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
FORESTRY for MAINE BIRDS, October 24 - A workshop and field day will be held Tuesday, October 24 from 7:30am to 1:30pm at the Houlton Community Golf Course. The day will feature Amanda Mahaffey of the Forest Steward's Guild and Susan Gallo of Maine Audubon Society. Lunch will be provided. Available forestry credits include CLP, QLP, SAF, and Board of Licensure of Foresters. Sponsors include Maine Woodland Owners, LP Corp, Maine Forest Service, and SASWCD. Check back under "Education" for complete agenda as we get closer to the date.
"PLANTS GROW SOIL" Conference, November 2- Mark your calendar for this soil health conference to be held Thursday, November 2 at the Littleton Ag Museum. Presenters will feature RJ Rant of Nutrilink Biosystems and crop advisor to potato producers in Michigan, Keith Berns of Green Cover Seeds, Nebraska, and Brandon Smith, northeast region team leader for NRCS Soil Health Division. This conference is part of grant funding provided by the Broad Reach Fund of the Maine Community Foundation and is part of a DEP Clean Water Act grant project. Check back for conference details.
BIG TREE CONTEST - The SASWCD and Maine Forest Service are teaming up to encourage people of all ages to appreciate the value of trees and
forest with a fun competition, "Big Tree Contest". It is easy to participate. If you know of a tree that fits the "Big Tree" criteria, simply fill out a nomination form and submit it to the SASWCD. District Forester Dan Jacobs will follow up and measure the tree, recording its dimensions based on a formula. Competition will be held from January until October, with winners announced at that time. It's a good excuse to get outside! You may download a Tree Nomination Form here. A list of native Maine trees can be found on the Maine Forest Service website at Forest Trees of Maine. It's a great resource as it includes photos of our native tree species.