SUMMER FIELD DAYS
August 10 - "MANAGING IRRIGATION FOR CROP IMPROVEMENT, SOIL HEALTH, AND WATER SOURCE CONSERVATION"
August 11 - "BETTER SOILS THROUGH ADAPTIVE GRAZING"
August 10 and 11, 2022: We invite you join us for TWO field days this August for row crop growers and livestock growers. Both field days will feature keynote speaker Dale Strickler, rancher and agronomist for Green Cover Seed, along with many other great presenters. Download a PDF with speaker and topic information on each field day here: AUGUST 10 - IRRIGATION and AUGUST 11 - ADAPTIVE GRAZING.
Cost of each field day is $20 (children under 18 free) with a local lunch provided. Online Registration may be made at:
August 10: https://bit.ly/3z4gHCq
August 11: https://bit.ly/3sU2gxf
Registration is also available by mail with check made out to SASWCD and sent to 304 North St, Houlton, ME 04730
SPONSORSHIPS: We are grateful to Farm Credit East, the UMaine Cooperative Extension SARE grant, and SASWCD's DEP '319' grant funding for the financial support to make these field days happen!
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.
OTHER PROJECTS and EDUCATION
Fall classes - The SASWCD will be holding a Wildlife and Woodlot class with IF&W biologist Joseph Roy this September. Check back as we make plans.