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September 2026
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Upcoming Events:
Wild Blueberry Resilience Summit
Friday, September 18th
Blue Ridge Farms
1284 Waltham Road
Waltham, ME 04605
Hancock and Washington County Soil & Water Conservation Districts invite you to a gathering of stakeholders to address the future of Maine's signature crop. Hosted by Peter Jordan of Blue Ridge Farms. Featured Experts and Topics Include: Dr Lily Calderwood - UMaine Extension - Soil Nutrients & Pest Control Eric Venturini - Wild Blueberry Commission - Strategy & Policy Charles Penney and Ashley Martone - NRCS - Mulching and Programs Tom Gordon - DACF - Farmers Drought Relief Fund Candace Gilpatric - Agricultural Engineer - Water Management Plans Tom Horton - Standard Biochar Tom Welton - MOFGA - Transitioning to Organic Lisa Hanscom - Welch Farms - Agrotourism Ron Howard - Brodis Blueberries - Air Cooling & Growers Association Steve MacDonald - Maine Forest Service - Forest Stewardship Ashley Burke - FSA - Low Bush Grower Programs Anne Coleman - Koppert - Bumblebees We hope to see you there!
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Local Working Group
Thursday, September 24 3:30PM
Washington County USDA-NRCS Office
10 M&M Place
Machias, ME 04654
Join the Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service to discuss recommendations for NRCS program delivery and local needs of farmers and landowners.
Sipp Bay Live Staking
Join the Maine DEP, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and Washington County SWCD for a hands-on shoreline erosion prevention workshop! Live staking is a low-cost, relatively simple, and very effective way to add plants for shoreline stabilization. It involves using cuttings from specific plants to propagate natural vegetation on an exposed bank. Some useful plants and shrubs for live staking are Dogwood, Willow, Elderberry, Buttonbush, and Ninebark. At Sipp Bay, you will be provided with stakes and an exposed bluff, and can help revegetate through planting the stakes. An informational session will happen beforehand, and further information on shoreline erosion will be discussed. The event is FREE, and you can register at https://events.blackthorn.io/en/f44mofL7/sipp-bay-live-staking-4a3UUpEwYn/overview . We hope to see you there!
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Basic and Advanced Erosion and Sediment Control Practices for New Certifications
Thursday, November 19 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Hillgrove Community Center
Whitneybille, ME 04654
Cost: $50 (Includes Lunch)
Register via Email - wacomeswcd@gmail.com
Maine law requires a contractor filling or disturbing soil in the municipal shoreland zone to have a DEP-certified individual responsible for erosion and sediment controls on-site each day until the site is permanently stable. Completion of Maine DEP’s “Basic & Advanced Erosion Control Practices” is the first requirement of certification. In this eight (8)-hour course, participants learn why erosion control practices are important; be exposed to the principles of erosion and sedimentation; learn how to properly install and maintain Erosion & Sedimentation Control (ESC) Best Management Practices (BMPs); and become familiar with regulations requiring Erosion and Sediment BMPs. Participants are provided with information on the proper selection, installation, and maintenance of ESC practices in accordance with Maine DEP’s Erosion and Sediment Control Practices Field Guide for Contractors. The course is geared for, and of primary interest to contractors but could also be helpful to municipal code enforcement officers, consultants, inspectors, engineers, and public works employees.This class qualifies for six (6) Continuing Education Hours (CEH) for individuals Certified in Erosion Control Practices by Maine DEP. Each CEH affords certified individuals one year of recertification. This class is approved for four (4) credits for Certified Tank Installers by the Board of Underground Storage Tank Installers, January 2023. Code enforcement officers are eligible for a $25 discount. Email Tanya Rucosky (trucosky@sunrisecounty.org) for a discount code before registering.
Past Events:
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Invasive Species Workshop
Friday, June 29th at 12:00PM
Middle River Park
Machias, ME 04654
Join us in Middle River Park as we team up with Downeast Coastal Conservancy, Maine Woodland Owners, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service for an educational workshop where we'll learn all about invasive species and how to properly manage them. This workshop is free, and will have multiple speakers from various organizations as well as some real invasive management that you can participate in! If you have any questions, please contact Zach McClimon at (207) 271-4010 or at wacomeswcd@gmail.com
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Forestry Opportunities for Small Woodlot Owners in Washington County
Friday, February 27th at 1:00PM
Hillgrove Community Center,
42 S Main St, Whitneyville, ME 04654
The Washington County Soil and Water Conservation District, alongside USDA-NRCS, Maine Woodland Owners, Maine DACF, and Woodland Pulp LLC., are excited to announce the first of many forestry classes for Washington County landowners. This event is FREE, and an informative, class-style opportunity for foresters to learn about what they can do with their land, while meeting experts who can help them achieve their goals. The event will be held in the Hillgrove Community Center, located in Whitneyville. Topics and Experts are as follows: Tools for Managing your Woodlot - Ernest Carle, Maine Woodland Owners NRCS Forestry Opportunities- Jerry Barnes, NRCS DACF opportunities - Steve MacDonald, Maine Forest Service For more information, don't hesitate to contact us! We are available via phone at (207)271-4010, or email, at wacomeswcd@gmail.com. We hope to see you there!
Geologic Tour of Jasper Beach
RESCHEDULED for Friday, November 14th at 11:00AM
Jasper Beach,
Machiasport ME 04655
Join us at Jasper Beach in Machiasport as we welcome Dr. Joseph Kelley, a retired UMaine geologist, for a walking tour of the geology of Jasper Beach! Learn the 12,000 year history of glaciers in Washington County, and how they formed the landscape that we use every day. Information about glaciers and soils will be available. The event is FREE and will begin at 11:00 AM.
Please email us at wacomeswcd@gmail.com if you have any questions. We'd love to see you there!
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The Hancock County and Washington County Soil & Water Conservation Districts, in conjunction with the USDA NRCS and blueberry farmer Laura Flannery, are happy to announce the upcoming second annual “Better Soil, Better Blueberries” Field Day! This informative event will feature a panel of industry experts and hands-on demonstrations aimed at improving soil health and blueberry production. There will also be members of various agencies to discuss available programs and opportunities for blueberry growers. The event will be presented by the Washington and Hancock County SWCDs, and hosted by Laura Flannery at her farm in Charlotte. Event Topics and Experts: UMaine Research and Experience Mulching Wild Blueberry Fields - Dr. Lily Calderwood, UMaine Cooperative Extension Blueberry Irrigation Basics and NRCS Assistance Opportunities - Chris Phinney, USDA-NRCS Opportunities for organic blueberry growers - Chris Grigsby , MOFGA What Your Blueberry Tax Dollars Do For You: an overview of the Wild Blueberry Commission - Laura Flannery, Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine NRCS Programs and Technical Assistance for Producers and Landowners - Ashley Martone & Chuck Penney, USDA NRCS FSA Programs and Loans - FSA leadership Free on-site pH Soil Testing - Mark Whiting, Hancock County SWCD Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the latest conservation practices, organic growing techniques, and financial assistance programs available to blueberry growers. The event will also feature a Q&A session and a hands-on demonstration of full field mulching. Lunch will be provided. This event is open to all blueberry growers, from small-scale to commercial operations. Don't miss this chance to improve your soil health and berry production while networking with fellow growers and industry experts. For more information or to RSVP, please call 271-4010 or email wacomeswcd@gmail.com
