SOUTHERN AROOSTOOK SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
2026 has been designated as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (YOWF), declared by the United Nations General Assembly and led nationally by NASDA, state agriculture departments, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations, to uplift and recognize women in agriculture. Beginning in May, the SASWCD will be participating in monthly articles in The County weekly newspaper, along with Presque Isle NRCS and St John Valley SWCD, highlighting some of our own Aroostook County women farmers. SASWCD will feature four Southern Aroostook women farmers in the newspaper in May and August so be sure to check it out.
July Field Talks series: The SASWCD is excited to host these in-field classes on different farms in southern Aroostook. The first class on July 9, "Understanding Your Soil" features state soil scientist Matt Boucher in Merrill at 6th Gen Farm where he'll discuss crop rotations, water management, plant diagnostic tests, and more. July 14 Field Talks will take place at Duff Farms in Hodgdon - "Making Good Hay" with Cooperative Extension's forage educator Jaime Garzon. Duff Farms grows a wide variety of forage for dry and silage hay so come take a walk and learn about the best hay for your animals. The final class in the July series is on the 23rd at Bark Eater Farm in Hodgdon, where owner Jerry Doxtader grows diverse vegetables through no-till gardening practices. No pre-registration is required and all classes are free! (July 9 class is offering 1 pesticide credit).
Be sure to like our Facebook page - fb/saswcd for updates to the above educational opportunities.
GRANT PROJECTS
Nature-based Techniques for Shoreline Stabilization Demonstration Project -The SASWCD was recently awarded a grant from the 2026 Friends of National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) grant program to plan and implement an on-site demonstration of living shoreline stailization techniques through planting and nature-based strategies at a site on Nickerson Lake. The public demonstration project will be implemented in partnership with the Nickerson Lake Wilderness Preservation board. Stayed tuned to learn more about project and event details planned for later this summer.
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.
