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 will be wrapping up the final in-field class of this 3-part series on Thursday, July 23 with "No-till Vegetable Gardening" at Bark Eater Farm, 171 Lincoln Rd in Hodgdon from 4-6pm. Farmer Jerry Doxtader will share some of his organic growing practices for the diverse vegetables he offers at his on-farm store. No pre-registration is required and class is free!
August 7: Nature-based Shoreline Stabilization Workshop & Public Demonstration -The SASWCD was awarded a grant from the 2026 Friends of National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) grant program to hold an on-site demonstration of shoreline stabilization techniques through planting and nature-based strategies on Nickerson Lake. The public demonstration project will be implemented in partnership with the Nickerson Lake Wilderness Preservation (NLWP) board and will take place Friday, August 7 from 9am to Noon, followed by a hot dog cookout by NLWP volunteers. Ecological landscape designer Rebecca Jacobs will lead participants in various stabilization techniques using natural materials, as well as establishing native plants for a natural buffer. Demonstration is free but registration is required: bit.ly/4v2Sg1W
Be sure to like our Facebook page - fb/saswcd for updates to all of our educational opportunities and programs.
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.
