[watershedmanagers] KCSWCD Apple Tree Pruning and Small Farm Workshops

[News and discussion forum for watershed managers in Maine]

The Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District is holding 2 workshops in the near future

Apple Tree Pruning Workshop

  *   Saturday, March 9, 2024
  *   9:30 AM  12:00 PM
167 Tabor Hill Road; Vassalboro, ME

Cost: $10 per person

Registration Deadline:  March 4

Late winter is the time for pruning apple trees, and Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District [Kennebec SWCD] is pleased to announce an outdoors, skill-building workshop at a volunteer property in Vassalboro.

The workshop, led by apple tree enthusiast Joe Dembeck, will cover methods and tools used to prune fruit trees in order to increase their viability and production. After a brief overview, participants will get to test their skills pruning apple trees.

Dress in warm layers as we will be outdoors for the event. This is a working farm with various farm animals on site. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pruning equipment as well as work gloves. Heavy shoes or boots are also recommended. It may be wet and muddy. Pole saws, hand saws, and loppers will be available for participants to try as well. This is a fairly primitive site with limited restroom facilities. Please be prepared to use outhouse facilities if needed.

Registration by Monday, March 5 is required.  The cost is $10 per person, payable by cash or check on the day of the event. Please note, enrollment will be limited to 24 individuals to ensure a safe and productive event for all participants.

To register or for more information, contact the Kennebec District office at 207-622-7847 x3 ask for Dale Finseth at Dale at kcswcd.org<mailto:Dale at kcswcd.org> . <mailto:jhebert at maineconservationdistricts.com?subject=apple%20tree%20pruning%20workshop>
Please take the opportunity to come and join us for part of a late winter morning.
Check our website at www.kcswcd.org<http://www.kcswcd.org>
Directions - From Rt. 201, River Road in Vassalboro.  Turn East on Bog Rd. towards Vassalboro Community School. Travel about 2¼ miles East past the school. Turn North on Tabor Hill Rd and travel to top of the hill. Approx. .8 miles.

Small 'backyard' farm workshop
China Town Office  571 Lakeview Dr. S. China, ME 04358
March 13th 4-5:30 PM (with March 14th snow date):

The Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District (KCSWCD) is happy to announce an upcoming workshop for small scale, "backyard" farms in the China Lake region who are interested in improving the health and sustainability of their natural resources.  This fun and interactive presentation will focus on water quality issues commonly found on small farms, best management practices for managing these issues and programs that provide financial and technical assistance to implement these practices.
Backyard farms are small-scale operations that raise livestock for personal use and enjoyment, such as raising a few hens for egg production or keeping horses for pleasure riding.

Producing food and fiber on any scale involves activities that can affect the quality of water resources within your watershed.  Livestock operations produce waste, which if not properly managed, can threaten human health as well as contribute pollutants to streams, rivers and lakes.
There are a number of common-sense practices that local backyard farmers can use to minimize their impact on China Lake. If implemented properly, these practices not only protect water quality, but can also improve the efficiency of the farming operation.
At the workshop, Jeff Dennis from Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) will be speaking about common water quality issues arising from small farms and the best management practices to address these issues.  Chuck Penney from Maine Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be showcasing NRCS programs that provide cost-share and technical assistance for the installation of these practices.
Interested participants can register for this free workshop with KCSWCD via email laura.lecker at me.nacdnet.net<mailto:laura.lecker at me.nacdnet.net> or by calling Dale at the District Office at 480-3927.
See website at www.kcswcd.org<http://www.kcswcd.org>     xxxx


Alex Wong (he/his/him)
Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator
Maine Department of Environmental Protection<https://www.maine.gov/dep/water/grants/319.html>
17 State House Station, Augusta, ME  04333
207-694-9533 (cell)

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