The Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District's "Winter Ag School" series is now complete after a final orchard pruning class in the rain and sleet April 5th. 125 landowners participated in the seven classes this year with topics varying from cover crops to forestry to transferring the farm issues. A special thank you to presenters from the Maine Forest Service, Cooperative Extension, Barenbrug, Maine Potato Board, and Pleasant View Tree Farm. We are always looking for new topics - if there is a class you'd like to see, please let us know.
ENVIROTHON COMPETITION FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
The SASWCD will be hosting the 2014 Northern Regional Envirothon competition May 6 on the Bird Farm at Houlton High School. Six schools and 12 teams will compete for a chance to advance to state of Maine finals later in May.
Envirothon is a state and nation-wide natural resource problem-solving competition for grades 9-12. Students will be competing outdoors in five natural resource areas: aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and a current national environmental issue. 
The District's annual "Fruit Tree and Shrub Sale" deadline has passed. Those placing orders will be notified on or before April 30 with pick up date. The "Trout Sale" is now happening. For more information, check out the "Fundraising" tab under "Events".
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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.
SASWCD MIssion: Assist and educate the public to promote stewardship of soil and water resources to landowners.
The Southern Aroostook SWCD is locally-led by a volunteer board of Supervisors who direct district staff in determining natural resource priorities and educational programs. The current board of Supervisors include:
Elected and Appointed Supervisors:
Gene Lawlor, Board Chair, Merrill Peter Qualey, Sherman
Jon Scott, Linneus Perry Lilley, Smyrna
Sue Caswell, Dyer Brook
Associate Supervisors:
Tim O'Donnell, Hodgdon Linda Trickey, Smyrna
Education for all landowners is an important part of our work. Check out listings under "Events" to see what is happening this summer in Southern Aroostook.
