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SIDNEY — Farmers, foresters, landowners, and other resource managers who are making choices about what to grow, and where are invited to a workshop on soil suitability sponsored by the Maine Forest Service on Wednesday, Sept. 20.
The workshop will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The morning portion will be at the Town Office, 2986 Middle Road, and the afternoon will include a field session at a local farm.
Most farms have woodlots, which can contribute to the overall farm economy, said a news release from the Maine Forest Service . 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.
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. Participants should dress appropriately and bring a lunch.
Space is limited. Register by Friday, Sept. 15, by emailing Morten Moesswilde, Maine Forest Service, at morten.moesswilde@maine.gov or call 207-441-2895 for more information.
