Maine hosts continuing education for NRCS conservationists

By Thomas Kielbasa
Public Affairs Specialist, NRCS-Maine

EXETER, Maine (July 29, 2015) – Conservationists from six New England states came together in Maine this week to hone their skills at assisting landowners to voluntarily conserve natural resources.

More than 25 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) specialists from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and Maine attended the weeklong “Conservation Planning Part II Training” in the Bangor area, as part of their professional certification and continuing education.

The week included classroom and field training, and focused on what the NRCS specialists need to know for developing professional conservation plans with their clients. Areas of focus included: forestry; cultural resources; cropland; pasture management; agricultural waste management; and fish and wildlife habitats.

The field and practical exercise portion of the class was held at Stoneyvale Farm in Exeter, a long-time cooperator with NRCS-Maine. Stoneyvale owner Bob Fogler opened the farm up to the conservation planning students and answered questions about his cover-crop selections, “no-till” practices, and relationship with NRCS.

“Our farm is where it is today because of NRCS,” Fogler, a second-generation farmer on the site, said.

Soil Conservationist Matthew Larkin from NRCS-New Hampshire said the “Conservation Planning Part II Training” is extremely important for his own career as a conservationist. He also said it translates into better service and advice delivery for his clients in Epping, N.H.

“It is very valuable for us to get out here in the field, and actually get on the ground and learn some of the planning tools that we have to use,” Larkin said after completing a class in pasture health. “When we get out here and learn the proper way to do everything from these instructors, we can ensure that we will use the right tools and be much more successful.”

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