How Should USDA Farm Bill Funding Be Allocated? Local Work Group Meeting Announcement

Lincoln County and Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Augusta field office, will host the annual meeting of the Lincoln-Kennebec Local Work Group (LWG) on December 17th, Noon to 2pm at the Augusta City Hall (16 Cony Street in Augusta).

Taking into account local resource concerns, Local Work Groups make recommendations to NRCS on how to spend USDA Farm Bill funds for agricultural and forestry conservation practices on private lands.  

If you are: an agricultural producer; forester, logger or private woodland owner; member of an environmental or watershed organization or land trust; knowledgeable in soil, water, plant, wetland or wildlife sciences; and/or are familiar with agricultural and natural resource concerns in Lincoln or Kennebec counties, we invite you to attend this meeting to help 1) identify and prioritize local conservation concerns; and 2) recommend how local funds for USDA Environmental Quality Incentive Programs (EQIP) will be distributed by NRCS to address resource needs.

If you plan to attend, please register using the form below to be placed on the contact list and receive important information in advance of the meeting, including location details. 

Questions? Contact us:

• Lincoln County: Cindy Wright, 207.596.2040, cindy@knox-lincoln.org

• Kennebec County: Dale Finseth, 207.480.3927, dfinseth@kcswcd.org

Inland Shoreline Stabilization Practices Certification Course (in-person only)

Fee: $55 per person for 4-hour course

Location: Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust’s David Moses Bridge Education Hall at 3 Round Top Lane in Damariscotta.

Soil erosion is not only a source of non-point source pollution; it can also threaten structures and other development along waterbodies. Historically, there was a single approach to shoreline erosion: fill the shoreline with rock or riprap without regard to the ecological functions of the shoreline. While this approach can be successful in solving the erosion problem when done correctly, we now know it creates other problems for waterbodies, fish, and wildlife.

Shoreline erosion can be caused by several factors, and finding an appropriate solution requires an understanding of each reason behind the erosion. In this class, participants will be exposed to the factors leading to shoreline erosion, how land use and behavior affects shorelines, state permitting standards related to shoreline stabilization, the importance of vegetation and other natural processes in stabilization of shorelines, and how to minimize impacts to the water on shoreline projects.

This 4-hour class qualifies for 4 Continuing Education Hours (CEH) for individuals Certified in Erosion Control Practices by Maine DEP.

**A 48-hour notice of cancellation is required to get a 50% refund. No refunds for a “no show”. All programs and services of the Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District are offered on a non-discriminatory basis.

Join us on the picturesque grounds of the Camden Amphitheatre on Sunday, September 15 from 9 AM to 1 PM for a celebration of native plants! This event is hosted by The Wild Ones. There will be native plants for sale and wildflower seed mixes. Also available are shopping directly from local native plant nurseries, educational booths, conversations with native plant growers, gardeners, and landscapers; kids’ activities, music and more. This is a great opportunity to learn more about native plants and how to incorporate them into your own garden and yard.

Stop by the Knox-Lincoln SWCD booth for our Wildflower Seed mixes and seeding information.

Join Midcoast Conservancy for The State of The Medomak at the Waldo Theatre for a presentation on the story of the Medomak River, water quality conditions, emerging threats, and what we can do to protect The Medomak watershed. Registration is required.

Stop by our table to learn about Knox-Lincoln SWCD’s many programs and service.

Join Louisa Crane of Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District on August 28th at 3:30 pm for a 1-hour walk to identify invasive plants around Rockland, departing from the Rockland Public Library Lawn at 3:30 p.m.

Walk and Talk participants will be guided on a walking tour of Rockland and will learn how to identify, prevent, and remove invasive plants along the way. Invasive plants can increase erosion, reduce the capacity of a natural area to absorb rainwater (increasing runoff), and interfere with pollinator food sources.

Please join us for great food, fellowship, raffle prizes and announcement of conservation awards at our Annual Banquet on Wed., August 21st from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the Beaver Lodge in Hope.

Enjoy dinner catered by Megunticook Market, dessert from Pies by Daphne and a chance to win raffle prizes. Conservation Awards will be presented after a video presentation of “Growing Wild - A Short Documentary | The Untold Stories of Maine's Wild Blueberries” followed by a panel discussion with Ron Howard of Brodis Blueberries, Ashley Field of Fields Fields Blueberries, and Peter Abello of NRCS-Maine.

We hope you can join us as we celebrate conservation leaders in Knox & Lincoln counties. This year we are pleased to honor the following leaders:

Conservation Farm of the Year: Pumpkin Vine Family Farm, Somerville

Volunteers of the Year: Dewey Meteer and Sharon Abair

Special Recognition for Dedication and Leadership in Conservation Practices: Rebecca Jacobs

Please register below or call: 207-596-2040, or email: julie@knox-lincoln.org

Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased through mail or our website: www.knox-lincoln.org/shop.

Thank you to our generous business sponsors:

Goldenrod Sponsor Level:

The First National Bank

Sasanoa Brewing

Viking Lumber

Silverrod Sponsor Level:

Union Farm Equipment

Sponsor Level:

For more information regarding sponsorship opportunities, contact Julie Sells at julie@knox-lincoln.org or call 207-596-2040.

Please join us for a presentation on Biological Control of Black Swallow-wort in Maine on August 6th from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm at the Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust’s David Moses Bridge Education Hall at 3 Round Top Lane in Damariscotta. Participation is free; registration is required.

DACF Integrated Pest Management Specialist Dr. Hillary Peterson will present about an ongoing project deploying a moth species from Ukraine, Hypena opulenta, as a classical biological control agent of the invasive black swallow-wort in Maine. Black swallow-wort is a challenging invasive plant that is difficult to control and can negatively impact populations of monarch butterflies. The caterpillar stage of Hypena opulenta only feeds on swallow-worts. Releases of Hypena opulenta have taken place in Ogunquit in 2019 and 2021, Harpswell in 2022, and South Portland in 2023. This summer (2024) releases are taking place on Little Deer Island. Release sites are monitored to determine if the moth species has established on an annual basis.

Dr. Hillary Peterson is the Integrated Pest Management Specialist at the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry within the Plant Health Programs. Hillary grew up in Brunswick, Maine, and received her B.S. in Biology at the University of Maine, and then her Ph.D. in Entomology at Penn State University. She has spent time working with invasive species and biocontrol in several agroecosystems including berries, tree fruit, and corn.

Join Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District (KLSWCD) on Wed., July 17th from 4:00 – 5:30 pm at Merryspring Nature Center in Camden for a walk to focus on strategies for invasive plant field identification, using Merryspring’s grounds for learning. Attendance at the first program is not required.

Louisa Crane, Program Coordinator at KLSWCD led the efforts in 2021 on phase two of the invasive plant management plan at Merryspring. She helps landowners and organizations identify invasive plant species and develop invasive plant management plans.

Maximum attendance is 15; pre-registration is required. Register below.

This event is full - all registrants will now be added to a WAITLIST! Please register if you are interested as there are often shifts in our attendee list as people’s schedules change. If there are enough individuals on the waitlist, we may be able to schedule this program for a second day later in the summer.

Join Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District (KLSWCD) on Wed., June 12th from 4:00 – 5:30 pm at Merryspring Nature Center in Camden for a walk to learn field identification skills of key terrestrial invasive plant species impacting Midcoast Maine.

This is the first part of a two-part series. The second event on Wed., July 17th will focus on strategies for invasive plant management, using Merryspring’s grounds for learning. You can attend both programs, although not required.

Louisa Crane, Program Coordinator at KLSWCD led the efforts in 2021 on phase two of the invasive plant management plan at Merryspring. She helps landowners and organizations identify invasive plant species and develop invasive plant management plans.

Maximum attendance is 15; pre-registration is required. Register below.

SEA Fair, Camden-Rockport Middle School - May 31

Stop by our booth at the S.E.A. Fair at Camden-Rockport Middle School.

We're excited to participate again this year.

There will be many environmental organizations offering activities for students, plus hands-on activities for elementary and middle school students.

Trout Stocking Sale Pickup

Brook and Rainbow trout for restocking private ponds are available in 2024.

All trout sales are pre-order only. Deadline is May 14th.

Pick-Up: Wed., May 29, 2024 at Noon at KLSWCD District office located at 893 West St, Rockport.

FMI: https://www.knox-lincoln.org/trout-sale

Stop by our booth on Main Street at Rockland’s Sunday Stroll. The theme for May 19th is plants and gardens.

Main Street will be temporarily closed to motorized traffic between Park Street and Glovers Passage (Ada’s Kitchen) from 11am until 5pm. Visitors will be able to view performances, shop the Rockland Makers Market (12-4pm), take part in games and activities, and enjoy the expanded outdoor space of the downtown and its businesses.

We are offering our Spring Plant Sale Fundraiser again this year at Union Fairgrounds. Our Cash ‘n Carry on May 11th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. will offer leftover plants for sale. Pre-order deadline has passed.

Stop by our booth at Union Farm Equipment's 75th Anniversary Open House. We’ll have soil test kits, plant sale information, order forms for trout, information regarding invasive plants & insects, and more.

Join us in highlighting conservation practices and youth activities in honor of Earth Day. Knox-Lincoln SWCD will offer fun activities, giveaways and resources for this annual event hosted by the Boothbay Library. FMI: Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library

Learn how to build and maintain a pond to enhance your landscape, increase biodiversity and maximize wildlife habitat. Presenter is Candice Gilpatric, engineer at NRCS.

This program is offered in collaboration with Boothbay Region Land Trust and NRCS.

The event will be held at Oak Point Farm and participants will visit the pond onsite.

Registration and payment required by April 9th (deadline extended).

Due to the recent snow storm, overly saturated grounds and lateness in season, this event is canceled.

We are pleased to offer a program on pruning techniques needed to keep your apple trees productive. Cheryl Denz, owner and operator of Terra Optima Farm and Landscaping in Appleton will teach this popular class!

Whether you have a small home orchard or one old tree that feeds the deer, this workshop will teach you the basic pruning techniques needed to keep your trees alive - and bearing fruit

Our class location has changed due. All registrants will be notified of new location.

• Class is held outdoors. Please dress for the weather, ground conditions and for a walk to the trees.

• Please bring any pruning tools you may have (pruners, loppers, handsaw). A limited number of additional tools will be available.

• Please bring water and snacks.

• In the event of cancellation for inclement weather, we will contact you via email by 9:00 AM

Fee: $20 per individual / $35 per couple (plus online payment processing fee).