SIDNEY, Maine — This workshop is for farmers, foresters, landowners, and other resource managers who are making choices about what to grow, and where. These choices are often based on understanding soils.

Most farms have woodlots which can contribute to the overall farm economy. In addition, some farmers need to convert land from forest to farmland. However, not all woodland soils are equally suitable for trees and agricultural crops, and conversion of woodland to agriculture can have mixed results. How to manage land and soil to maximize productivity – and key considerations about clearing forests for farming – are the focus of this workshop.

DATE: Wednesday, September 20th, 2017
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Sidney Town Office, 2986 Middle Road, Sidney

Speakers include Dave Rocque, State Soil Scientist; Ken Laustsen, Maine Forest Service Biometrician; and Andy Schultz, Maine Forest Service Landowner Outreach Forester. The workshop is supported by Kennebec Woodland Partnership, a regional conservation initiative focused on the sustainability of Kennebec County’s woodlands and a landscape-level approach to conservation.

The morning session will be at the Sidney Town Office, with a field session at a nearby farm in the afternoon – so please dress appropriately. Please bring a lunch.

Space is limited! Please register by Friday, September 15th by emailing Morten Moesswilde, Maine Forest Service, at morten.moesswilde@maine.gov or call 441-2895 for more information.

–Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

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