MACD holds annual winter meeting

The Maine Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) recently held its annual winter meeting in Bangor, allowing the 16 conservation districts to discuss soil health initiatives and grant programs, among other topics.

“Healthy, and sustainable agricultural soils are measured by ecological factors such as organic matter and biology, as well as by economic values, such as agricultural productivity and crop yields,” Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Resource Conservationist Tony Jenkins said. He presented on soil challenges for farmers and NRCS agriculture management practices.

Other soil health initiative topics included an upcoming state-wide natural resource assessment, which will be done in partnership with the NRCS and will allow for better funding evaluations by the service, and activities to help Aroostook County potato farmers.

The meeting also touched on the theme of an advisory council meeting with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Comissioner Walt Whitcomb, wherein they discussed the positive developments in Maine’s sustainable agriculture sector.

“Maine is the largest agricultural producing state in New England, and the state has prime farming soils and a lot of untapped potential,” Whitcomb said.

The MCAD board of director’s meeting saw Medford's Bruce Talley take over to begin his three-year term as MACD President.