aerial photographs available. You should be receiving this

newsletter just prior to the Soils Forum workshop on February 18th. If you are interested in at-tending please call the Kenne-bec office and speak to Dale. The workshop in built around a national WebCast and is being held at the Augusta City Center i.e. City Hall.

We hope to use this work-shop to start planning for a number of follow-up workshops and field days. Please join us and help us out.

Kennebec District News 3

Somerset District News 11

Tree sale information 5-10

Information tid-bits 2

“Off Center” 12

Coming attractions—calendar 14 Con

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Winter

2014

Inside this issue:

If you receive more than

one newsletter, or the

address is wrong, please

contact us and we will

correct the error.

Thanks.

Included in this issue of the Conservation Times is the 2014 tree sale information for the Somerset and the Kenne-bec Soil & Water Conserva-tion Districts. March 14th is the deadline for orders. This newsletter is later than usual, so order soon.

We also want to thank our first sponsor for the “hard copy” of the Conservation Times. Elizabeth Davidson with whom we have worked for years responded to our request and has made a do-nation to the added cost for producing and distributing a paper copy of the newsletter. We continue to seek addi-tional sponsors in our efforts.

Thank You Elizabeth. We also want to announce

that there is a new series of aerial photography which covers this area. It is referred to as LIDAR and provides ex-cellent photos. If you are in-terested in using this new layer of aerial photography contact the Kennebec District and talk to Art.. We will have more information on our web-site describing the types of

This is the District tree & shrub sale issue.

On the web at www.KCSWCD.org

CHECK OUT PLANT SALE

& SOILS FORUM INFOR-

MATION INSIDE.

Kennebec & Somerset County

Soil &Water Conservation Districts

Page 2

District staff can provide additional information and assistance.

We can usually identify other sources of information too. Give us a

call at 622-7847 ext. 3 The following are a few items. . .

Moose Farming — In late 2013 there was

an interesting article in a publication called “On Pasture”. The author provides a history of efforts to domesticate moose for use in military opera-tions and for transportation. The article also dis-cusses efforts to produce “moose milk” and cheese. Efforts were not very successful. See www.OnPasture.com and look for the arti-cle “Once Upon A Time We Farmed Moose” by Rachel Gilker

2014 Maine Grain Conference

March 15th – Bangor, ME This year’s conference has main speakers Mary-Howell and Klaas Martens of Lakeview Organic Grains, Penn Yan, NY. The Martens are regional experts in all aspects of organic grain production and handling. They will discuss crop rotations, fertility and weed man-agement, seed production, and post-harvest grain cleaning, drying, and storage; as well as the topics and questions that you bring. There is also a panel of Maine grain growers discussing successes and lessons learned. Learn about results from UMaine grain research. Check their website at www.KneadingConference.com or call at 717-4578

Invasive Forest Insect Outreach Volunteer Training – Saturday February

8, 9:00 to 1:00 in Dover-Foxcroft at the Piscata-quis Cooperative Extension Office.

Wednesday, February 19, 9:00 to 1:00 in Lewis-ton at the Public Works Department. Thursday, March 13, 9:00 to 1:00 in Jefferson at the Hidden Valley Nature Center. REGISTRATION REQUIRED This is a training for people interested in learning about invasive forest pests that pose serious threats to the trees and forests of Maine: emerald ash borer (EAB), Asian long horned beetle (ALB), brown spruce long horned beetle (BSLB), hemlock wooly adel-gid (HWA), and others. Learn how to recognize

the insects, the host trees, signs of infestation, and how to survey and report suspicious areas. Partici-pants will also learn how to effectively disseminate information to the public to help spread awareness. Participants who attend the training will become vol-unteers of the Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Pro-ject (FPOSP), and help with outreach and surveys. The Forest Pest Outreach and Survey Project will provide materials for volunteers and loans of insects

and sample tree damage dis-plays for their outreach. Contact Email: lorraine.taft@gmail.com Cost: Free Co-Sponsor: University of Maine Extension Piscataquis County Office Trainer: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry staff Approved for three pesticide applicator re-certification credits.

Keep America Beautiful and The Coca-Cola

Foundation are now accepting applications for the 2014 Coca-Cola/KAB Recycling Bin Grant Program. The Recycling Bin Grant Program is designed to ex-pand and support recycling opportunities in commu-nities across America. This grant provides durable recycling bins to government agencies, civic organi-zations, schools, and nonprofit groups. Grant recipi-ents will have the bins shipped to their location with all expenses paid in early summer. Applications are being accepted via online through March 3, 2014. For more information on the grant program, visit www.bingrant.org. Please contact Melissa Adams, mad-ams@kab.org or 202-688-0604 with any questions. This is offered through the Maine Resource Recovery Association

We apologize that some of the resources listed here only have internet connections. If alternative contact information is available we include it.

We are announcing the Maine Cover Crop and Soil Health Forum February 18, 2014 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Au-gusta City Center Lecture Hall on 16 Cony Street in Augusta. Check-in for the forum will begin at 8:00 a.m. and the meeting will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.

The meeting will open with a presentation from University of Maine Extension Educator Caragh Fitzgerald. Next is a live video feed from the National Cover Crop and Soil Health Con-ference in Omaha, Nebraska. The webcast will feature USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, Howard G. Buffett, and panel presentations from leading cover crop farmers from across the nation. The farmer panelists are expected to be:

Dan DeSutter, Indiana; Dave Brandt, Ohio; Clay Mitchell, Iowa; Gabe Brown, North Dakota

The nationwide “forum” locations will provide NRCS and conservation partners with a unique opportunity to experience the conference and discuss ways we can better organize and en-ergize our efforts to enable the soil health movement at the grassroots level.

It will focus on improving the health and function of soils through adoption of soil health man-agement systems. Discussion before and after will focus on applying the information locally.

Please RSVP by February 10th. Call 622-7847 x 3 or e-mail dale@kcswcd.org. I look forward

to seeing you on the 18th! Also if you require special accommodations to attend this forum,

please contact Dale Finseth at 622-7847 x 3 by February 10th. If you have any questions,

please do not hesitate to contact us. For more information check this website http://

www.sare.org/Events/Forum-on-Cover-Crops-and-Soil-Health

Sponsored by -Howard G. Buffett Foundation- Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE)-USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Page 3

The Conservation Times is edited and produced by the Kennebec and Somerset County Soil & Water Conservation District staff with the assistance of various conservation partners and with the guidance of the Board of Supervisors. Most writing and editing is done by Dale Finseth and Carol Weymouth unless identified other-wise. Frequently information is used from other publications or media sources. The districts do not necessarily agree with nor endorse all opinions included in the newsletter. We try and offer a variety of viewpoints on conservation issues. If you take issue with an article or have suggestions and information for a follow-up or future article, please contact Dale at the Kennebec District. Either call at 622-7847 ext. 3 or e-mail him at Dale@kcswcd.org

Kennebec District Staff:

Dale Finseth Josh Platt Art Grindle

Kennebec District Supervisors: Gary Wheeler took office 2014 (elected starting 1/2014– 12/2016) Ava Coviello took office 2013 (re-appointed starting 1/2014-12/2016 Clif Buuck; Vice Chair took office 1/2008 (re-elected 1/2014 thru 12/2014) Dan Tibbetts took office 1/2000 (re-appointed 1/2012-12/2014) Tom Doore; Chair took office 1/2010 (re-elected starting 1/2013-12/2015)

Associates currently active: Chad Arms Ted Sparrow

Maine Cover Crop and Soil Health Forum February 18, 2014

from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Augusta City Center Lecture Hall on 16 Cony

Street in Augusta.

In the next issue —

More on Soils Health workshops this summer. Trout sale information. Summer activities.

For the most part, Maine lucked out on this ice storm. In most

places the ice storm of ’98 was more severe, doing much more damage in the area of occur-rence. Still, in the recent ice storm, the small diameter birches were bent to the ground, and trees with more than one leader, depending on the species, had one or more leaders ripped from the main trunk. Now that the ice has melted off, you should see if the birches show signs of righting themselves. If not, it is time to deal with performing what is called a “basal cut” where by the tree is cut off at ground level. But don’t despair about the loss of the birches. In short order, possibly as soon as this year but for sure by next year , mother nature will prompt the dormant buds all around the stump collar to bud forth and create another tree. In fact, you will have a host of whips growing from around the stump which will require thinning to the two or three best and then when they are 8 to 10’ tall, thin the three to the best stem. Trees that had one or more co-dominant leaders ripped from the main stem need some skillful repair. The ripped off branch should be removed and any splinters left at the crotch should be removed all the way down to the bottom of the tear. If you do not feel comfortable doing this, then by all means have a licensed arborist tend to the careful repair of this injury. Then after careful surgery, the edges of the wound, where the cambium layer is still active, will in time close over the wound. Regardless of what must be removed, in almost all cases while the tree is dormant and for most species during the growing season, do not “paint” the wound with “tree paint.” Go paint the inside of your gutter if you just have to smear that stuff around but do not put it on a wound. For those of you with trees that tend to have co-dominant leaders, you may want to address re-

moving one or more of these leaders and get the tree into a single trunk mode. That will be

much easier than bolting , cabling or bracing the tree to with stand crotch problems which will

come , sometime, in the future of the tree.

Page 4

The Ice Storm of 2013-14 and its effect on trees Guest Article by Peter Lammert Licensed

Arborist and forester, still tree warden in Thomaston.

As of January 1st

2013, work within 250 feet of any water body (the shoreland zone) re-

quired to have a certified contractor on site. If you are still in need of the training, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection urges you to attend a Basic and Advanced training session in Erosion & Sediment Control Practices this winter/spring. You don’t want to turn work away, so get certified before it is too late by reg-istering for one of these courses today.

*Augusta, April 7, 2014, AGC Training Room To register contact Sandy Metrano or

Don Partridge at: 622-4741

*Litchfield, April 11, 2013, Litchfield Town Office To register contact Steve Och-

manski at: 268-4721

*Augusta, May 6, 2014, AGC Training Room To register contact Sandy Metrano or Don Partridge 622-4741 Most courses run from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. and refreshments and a manual will be provided. By attending this session, you qualify to become DEP certified in erosion and sediment control practices. You will also learn about new state-of-the-art erosion control techniques and ways to save time and money on your construction projects as well as become eligible for discounts, ex-pedited DEP permitting and other free educational resources. For more information about the benefits of contractor certification, visit www.maine.gov/dep/training.

Erosion and Sediment Control Practices

Page 11

For those of you who don’t know, Ron Desrosiers has recently become the District Conservationist at the Skowhegan office. Ron has a long and varied his-tory with NRCS. In this area he has worked at the D.C. in Kennebec County, served as the Time & Tide RC&D Coordinator, and most recently been stationed at the Kennebec Office with his responsibilities to plan and coordination NRCS training as part of a na-tional team. Good to have you back Ron! The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the Fiscal Year 2014 applica-tion deadline for new enrollments in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to February 7. CSP is a conservation program that helps estab-lished conservation stewards with taking their level of natural resource management to the next level to im-prove both their agricultural production and provide

valuable conservation benefits such as cleaner and more abundant water, as well as health-ier soils and better wildlife habitat. The program emphasizes conservation performance by providing higher payments to producers who achieve high levels of conservation. In CSP, producers install conservation enhancements to make positive changes in soil quality, soil erosion, water quality, water quantity, air quality, plant resources, animal resources and en-ergy use. Eligible Maine producers can enroll in CSP through February 7, 2014 to be considered in fiscal year 2014. While local NRCS offices accept CSP applications year round, NRCS evaluates applications during announced ranking periods. Applications received after Febru-ary 7, 2014 will be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2015. Those interested can contact the local USDA Service Center for additional information.

Ron Desrosiers New DC for Somerset but a familiar name.

Somerset County SWCD Employees— Board of Directors— Carol Weymouth, Executive Director Kerry Hebert, Chairperson Laura Suomi-Lecker, Technical Director Alan Haberstock, Vice-Chair Joanne Dore, Admin. Trainee John Ackley, Treasurer Pam Guerin, Program Technician Gabe Clark, Supervisor Rob Rowbottom, Supervisor Contact Information— (207) 474-8324 x 3 info@somersetswcd.org www.somersetswcd.org

USDA Service Center

Somerset County SWCD

February 24, 2014

70 East Madison Road Skowhegan ME

We’re Moving!

Page 12

The following are just a few suggested conservation topics that we have recently heard

of. The District does not necessarily endorse or plan to support these. We only provide

these ideas as means to help people think “outside the box”. . .

Given that this issue has our tree and shrub sale included I wanted to add a couple re-cent news highlights. Who know where these findings will lead, but they definitely raise questions about how we think about our woodlands and how we manage their growth and use.

#1] Last year researchers at the University of Vermont announced something that could change the way we think about Vermont and Maine— or at least how we produce maple syrup.

Usually about this time of year we insert a tap near the bottom of a tall, mature maple tree. At the end of February, the tree thaws, and voila: Sap starts flowing out the spigot at the bottom. But in 2010, these researchers in Vermont were testing ways to gather sap from mature trees when they noticed something unusual. It seems that one of the trees was missing most of its top, but the sap was still flowing. And flowing. And flowing.

That meant sap didn't flow exclusively top-to-bottom from older trees, which is what eve-ryone had thought — for centuries. In-stead it demonstrated that sap was com-ing up, from the ground. The size of the tree and the amount of tree top was ir-relevant. They discovered that they could place one of their vacuum sap lines on the top of a small sugar maple and liter-ally suck the sap out.

Might rows of Sugar Maples in a field be far behind in the “Maple Syrup” busi-ness??

#2] In another recent news report a study reported that trees continue growing through-out their life and do NOT slow down as they mature. In fact, this forestry study indicated that most trees actually accelerate their growth as they get older. While they may not get taller, they do add mass and actually use more nutrients and water from the soil.

It would seem that one of our long held assumptions about tree growth may be wrong. It remains true that there are a number of different reasons why we choose to harvest

our woodlands, but perhaps the assumption that tree growth slows as they get older and should be harvested and replaced with faster growing younger trees may not be one of them.

Again, this may not change much about how we manage our woodlands and forests but it may put in question other assumptions we have made.

Recently heard on NPR—If you listen to the radio show “This American Life” you may have already heard the story about using all parts of the pig, everything but the squeal [Episode 484]. The reporter was investigating a claim that pork bung was being used as a substitute for Calamari. De-finitive evidence was hard to track down so he arranged a test “cook off” and asked some volunteers to test taste.

There were interesting results. It takes the local foods dis-cussion to a whole new level. Check www.ThisAmericanLife.org/radio-archives/episode/484/doppelgangers

Page 13

For the past number of years, I’ve shared my own

household energy use. Here is my household en-

ergy usage for 2013. For those who have followed

the saga of my energy use, the 2013 heating season was about 7% colder than 2012 so energy

use should be higher. That was certainly born out by the electric heating bill for the apartment

which I rent out to others. It was not so obvious in my own heating oil use. One of my vehicles was

borrowed by others to get to work so my total vehicle mileage increased somewhat. But the total

combined mileage remained good. I still need to consider replacing the older refrigerators in both

my apartment and my part of the house. But cleaning them thoroughly did help. With new renters in

my apartment the electricity use increased but not too much.

To compare annual energy use, I include the Heating Degree Days for the respective

year. HDD data from “WeatherUnderground” source.

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Htg Deg Days 7608 HDD 6708 HDD 7601 HDD 7360 HDD 7631HDD 6612 HDD 7139 HDD 6220 HDD 6678 HDD

Htg Oil use 760 gal 600 gal 626 gal 611 gal 546 gal 468 gal 616 gal 450 gal 516 gal

Htg oil/HDD ratio 0.100 0.089 0.082 0.083 0.072 0.071 0.085 0.072 0.077

Propane use 102 gal 131 gal 159 gal 132 gal 29 gal 25 gal 20.8 gal 29.4 gal 40.8 gal

Electricity use 2763 KwH 2072 KwH 2054 KwH 1881 KwH 1937 KwH 1693 KwH 1836 KwH 1954 KwH 2170 KwH

Gasoline use 429 gal 445 gal 523 gal 375 gal 546 gal 526 gal 493 gal 495 gal 519 gal

Total miles 11,370 10,025 13,130 8,600 13,100 13,775 12,300 12,722 13,184

Average MPG 26.5 mpg 22.5 mpg 25.1 mpg 23.8 gal 24.0 mpg 26.2 mpg 24.9 mpg 25.7 mpg 26.4 mpg

Apt electricity 7300 KwH 7870 KwH 6695 KwH 6875 KWH 6316 KwH 6672 KwH

It is even more obvious now that the added insulation in the attic keeps my apartment electricity

use lower. The apartment is heated with electricity. In the summer they occasionally use AC. Heat-

ing Oil Use per Heating Degree Day indicates that my own oil heat use is fairly consistent. The

smaller the number, the better. This allows comparisons between colder and warmer winters to be

compared more equitably. I need to be more precise in tracking my actual heating oil use however.

As we talk about whether it is getting colder or warmer, I should point out the HDD norm in Gar-

diner is currently 7,200 HDD annually. That average has begun to decrease as our winter’s have

warmed up. While many people complain about this winter’s cold weather, I think most have simply

forgotten how cold Maine winter’s in central Maine can be. So far this year December, 2013 was

substantially colder than the 2012-13 winter. It is the actual total cost of the energy we use that

tends to get most of our attention. It is yet to be determined whether the “new” natural gas option

will save us much money.

It has certainly generated a number of new pot holes. :-{). …. Until next year….

Tracking Energy Use and some Energy Savings over the years

Dale Finseth

The first year of the Togus Pond Watershed Project was a successful one. One focus of the project is to create road maintenance planning documents for several of the major association roads around the pond. During the first year, Tasker Road, Young Road, Albee Road and Haines Road all received plans. In addition to the plans, implementation money from the grant was utilized to pay for construction on many of the highest priority sites identified in the plans. Several homeowners also took advantage of the matching grant money to install vegetative buffers between their homes and the lake. The result of these buffers will be both reduced and cleaner stormwater reaching the pond. In 2014, gravel road planning will continue but the project will shift toward providing technical assis-

tance and several workshops aimed at homeowners and association members.

Togus Watershed Improvement Project 2013-2014

Kennebec District Board meetings—The 2nd

Tuesday of each month. Contact the District to confirm the time and place. If special accommodations are needed at the meeting, please call to arrange them two weeks in advance at 622-7847, extension 3.

Somerset District Board Meetings—The 3rd Thursday of each month. Contact the Somer-set District to confirm time and place.

Upcoming Events

Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District

Central Maine Commerce Center; 21 Enterprise

Drive; Suite #1

Augusta, Maine 04330

(207) 622-7847 ext. 3

www.KCSWCD.org

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Soils Forum in Augusta. February 18 at the Augusta City Center. Call to register. 622-7847 x3

NONPROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAID

AUGUSTA MAINE

PERMIT NO. 92

Page 14

Alternate format available. Call the District office to re-quest enlarged type, cas-sette or computer disk.

All programs and services of the Soil & Water Conservation Districts are offered on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national

origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation or marital or familial status.

Another issue of the Conservation Times

Brought to you by the Kennebec & Somerset County Soil & Water Conservation Districts

February 3, 2014

Envirothon The Maine Envirothon program continues to grow and become better than ever. In 2013, 64 – 5 student teams from all corners of the state competed in the regional and state competitions. In addition, the Fall Field Day events attracted another 250 students. The state winner was the team from Piscataquis High School who attended the International Envirothon Competition in Bozeman, Montana last summer. Registrations for the 2014 events have been strong and registered teams are busy preparing for the spring events coming this May. This year the Current Issue topic, which changes annually, is Sustain-able Agriculture and Locally Grown foods. A timely topic indeed! A day long forestry and wildlife work-shop at Unity College will be offered on March 21st and is open to any high school students or classes that wish to attend. Although the program is put on by Maine Envirothon, all are welcome. To find out more about the Maine Envirothon program visit: www.Maineenvirothon.org