Maine Archives

MAINE, Southern Aroostook SWCD – The farmers and gardeners involved in the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District’s unusual soil health experiment have unearthed their test subjects: the remains of cotton underwear they buried earlier this summer.

About a dozen farmers and gardeners around Aroostook County participated in the project, burying underwear to see how much of it was left over after two months of soil life.

“The idea is that the more alive your soil, the more the undies will decompose,” said Angela Wotton, district manager at Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District. “It’s sort of a fun experiment. It’s a good visual for soil health.”

Source: These farmers unearthed a pair of ‘soiled’ underwear after leaving it underground for two months — Aroostook — Bangor Daily News — BDN Maine

MAINE, Piscataquis County SWCD – While bee populations are under stress from climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, pests and pathogens, there are actions farmers and gardeners can take to make their lands more bee-friendly.

In Maine, there are 276 species of bees, which are divided into six main families, said Jennifer Lund, Maine state apriarist for the Department of Agriculture, during a presentation at a pollinators event, held in mid-August on the Law Farm, owned by the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Source: Creating Bee-Friendly Habitats | Northern Edition | lancasterfarming.com

MAINE, Central Aroostook SWCD – The National Resources Conservation Service and Central Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District will offer a high tunnel workshop in September at two locations in Aroostook County.

Randy Martin, CASWCD executive director and proprietor of The King’s Gardener farm and greenhouses of Presque Isle, will share his 30 years of experience with greenhouse and high tunnel production.

“The first day of the workshop we will erect a high tunnel frame and cover the pros and cons of many construction techniques for here in the far North,” said Martin. “The second day will be devoted to cultural practices inside the high tunnel with an emphasis on water requirements, timing, shading, soil health and pest management.”

Source: Session to teach building, growing with high tunnels – The County

Maine Archives - NCDEA

These farmers unearthed a pair of ‘soiled’ underwear after leaving it underground for two months

Creating Bee-Friendly Habitats

Session to teach building, growing with high tunnels

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