Dear Editor:

Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District (KLSWCD) held two annual conservation events in September. We would like to thank everyone who participated in these successful events.

Our sold out Conservation Tour comprising folks from Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Cumberland and Waldo counties visited four Knox County farms on Saturday, Sept. 12 to learn about growing local, conservation practices that protect soil and water resources, biodynamic farming, and much more. Thanks to the producers who welcomed our group of 45 to tour their farms: Tom Griffin of Hope’s Edge Farm (Hope), Elmer and Holly Savage of Savage Oakes Vineyard & Winery (Union), Sharon Turner of Great Gardens (Washington), and the Farrar family — Brian, Jessica, and their three kids of ME Water Buffalo Co. (Appleton). We made an additional stop at Sweet Season Farm and Café (Washington) for a sumptuous lunch prepared by proprietors Ed and Virginia Reardon. Thanks also to all the tour-goers for good spirits and enthusiasm, and to Northeast Charter and Tour for an expertly driven coach. We are already planning next September’s tour of Lincoln County farms!

On Thursday, Sept. 24, we presented our annual Conservation Education Fair, welcoming more than 525 middle school students from Knox and Lincoln counties to the Union Fairgrounds. Students, with their teachers and chaperones, cycled through 15 interactive demonstrations to learn about and engage in all things environmental. Students were also treated to a special presentation by Wind Over Wings featuring live raptors and ravens.

Knox-Lincoln SWCD thanks all the presenters – ME Dairy Council, ME Forest Service, Darling Marine Center, Knox-Lincoln Cooperative Extension, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Herring Gut Learning Center, Hurricane Island, Knox-Lincoln Beekeepers, Merryspring Nature Center, Waldo County SWCD and NRCS staff, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Bat Conservation International, Sheepscot General Farm, and KLSWCD volunteers Mary Thompson, Mark Hedrich, Sharon Chadwick, Rick Parent, and BJ Dobson.

Special thanks to the Union Fair Society for hosting and Jerry Carr for his all around help; and The First, Rising Tide Coop, and an anonymous donor for financial support. If you would like your elementary class to attend next year’s fair, contact the Conservation District at 207-596-2040, info@knox-lincoln.org, or www.knox-lincoln.org.

We would finally like to thank those who make these educational programs possible through their financial support: the counties of Knox and Lincoln; the Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; our business contributors; and all local residents who support our plant sale/backyard sale fundraisers.

District Coordinator Hildy Ellis

Education Coordinator Rebecca Jacobs

Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District