NRCS/EQIP Program Join Forces on Diversified Farm in Maine

 
Since 1997, farmers Marty Elkin and Mary Ann Haxton have raised laying hens, sheep and angora goats, and made maple syrup on the 30-acre farm which dates back to the 1850’s. A Wrinkle in Thyme Farm in Sumner (Oxford County) is now implementing a plan to expand pastures; manage the flock of sheep; and goals to increase the amount and quality of fiber, build a winter sheep feeding facility and a fiber processing building, and relocate/rebuild their maple sugar house.
 
Through the partnership of NRCS, Rural Development, Efficiency Maine, Finance Authority of Maine, Maine Small Business Development Corporation, ReVision Energy, and Maine Fiber Arts, all of these goals are coming to fruition.
 
NRCS began working with Martha and Mary Ann in 2004. The farm consisted of 20 sheep and 2 horses. Planning was done to improve the efficiency of pastures by developing a rotational grazing system. Five paddock areas were developed with a residency period of 7 days per paddock. NRCS planned 3,000 feet of permanent and 650 feet of temporary fencing to accomplish the grazing system. Obstruction removal was planned to better manage the pastures. A pipeline and watering facility provided the distribution of water to the paddock areas. Compaction and the amount of non-vegetated heavy use area were reduced in each paddock. Total cost of these practices, installed in 2005, was $10,000 funded through the EQIP program.
 
In the fall of 2008, A Wrinkle in Thyme Farm received the first of two grants, both of which were through the Maine Farms for the Future Program with the Maine Dept. of Agriculture. As part of the Farms for the Future Grant it is participating in a 7-year farmland protection agreement with the Maine Dept. of Agriculture.
 
As a result of a grant from USDA Rural Development Rural Energy for America (REAP), the fiber building will use solar thermal energy, making it more efficient and cost effective to wash wool, pick and card it into roving, and will also heat the building with a radiant floor. ReVision Energy installed the solar panels and a local heating company installed the solar storage tank, boiler and radiant floor system.

In 2010, to accommodate the increased sheep head of 40 animals, NRCS began updating the conservation plan to include additional fencing of pasture areas, additional pipeline, and obstruction removal. Through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), 6 additional acres of high tensile fence and a watering facility were installed to expand their pastures. Total cost of these practices was $18,000 through the EQIP program.
 
“It is so encouraging to hear positive feedback as we reach out to grow a thriving fiber community in the Foothills of Western Maine,” said Marty and Mary Ann.