USDA Extends Conservation Stewardship Program Sign-Up to January 27

Dover-Foxcroft, ME – January 13, 2012 – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Juan Hernandez has announced that the cut-off date for the current Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) ranking period has been extended to January 27, 2012. Producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship are eligible for CSP payments. 

“We want to make sure that people who want to be considered for CSP during this first ranking period have the time they need to complete their applications,” Hernandez said. “CSP is a very popular program and I encourage interested producers to apply at their local NRCS office as soon as they can.”

Administered by NRCS, CSP provides many conservation benefits including improved water and soil quality, enhanced wildlife habitat and conservation activities that address the effects of climate change.

Producers are encouraged to apply for CSP throughout the year to be considered for current and future application ranking periods. Those who apply by January 27, 2012, may be eligible for current available funding. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and nonindustrial forestland.

A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if CSP is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contracts obligations and potential payments. It is available from the Dover-Foxcroft NRCS office and at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp.

Landowners can sign up for this program at the Dover-Foxcroft USDA Service Center/Natural Resources Conservation Service office, at 42 Engdahl Drive, Pine Crest Business Park, Dover-Foxcroft,  Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm. For more information about CSP and other NRCS conservation programs, visit the Piscataquis County USDA Service Center at 42 Endgahl Drive, Pine Crest Business Park, Dover-Foxcroft, call 564-2321, or go to www.me.nrcs.usda.gov.

USDA Accepting Applications for Irrigation Assistance

Dover-Foxcroft, – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Maine has announced that they have received Fiscal Year 2012 Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program funds for irrigation assistance to private landowners in Maine. Approximately $294,000 will be made available to both large- and small-scale irrigators.  The deadline for applications is February 10, 2012.

AMA, administered by NRCS, is available in 16 states where participation in the Federal Crop Insurance Program is historically low.  AMA assists agricultural producers to manage risk and voluntarily address issues such as water management, water quality, and erosion control by incorporating conservation practices into their farming operations. 

“This program gives landowners an additional opportunity to construct or improve their water management structures and to mitigate risk through production diversification or resource conservation practices,” said Juan Hernandez, State Conservationist for NRCS in Maine.  “This will benefit not only the landowner, but their neighbors and community as well.”

Under AMA, contracts will have a one to ten-year contract period, and the practices must be maintained for the life of the practice.  There is a $50,000 per year payment limitation per participant. 

The sign-up for AMA is available on a continuous basis.  Landowners can sign up for this program at the Piscataquis County USDA Service Center/Natural Resources Conservation Service office, located at 42 Engdahl Drive, Pine Crest Business Park, Dover-Foxcroft.  Applications received by February 10, 2012 will be considered for funding in Fiscal Year 2012.

For additional information about the AMA program or for other NRCS conservation programs visit the Maine NRCS website at www.me.nrcs.usda.gov., or call the Dover-Foxcroft office at 564-2321, Monday - Friday, 8am-4:30pm.

meeting cancelled

We are cancelling tonight's Dexter Community Farm Project/DRDC meeting.  Some key people are sick, have other meetings, need more information and besides it is going to be COLD!
If you have any questions, always feel free to call or email me at judy@DexterFarmProject.com
Stay warm!!!

Thursday Update

The Charleston Correctional Crew started to lay the recycled hardwood floor today upstairs.  We are using the hardwood that was pulled up from the original floor and adding in the new hardwood that was milled and donated by Sam Brown.  I told them they could design the floor the way they wanted, just use your creativity.  As you can see they are using both.  When it gets sanded and finished it will look awesome and be a one of a kind.


The guys started on the office side (towards Main Street side) and are doing as much as they can during the last 2 days of working at the Fossa Store.


They are a hard working bunch of guys and kuddos to Supervisor Neal Pinkerton! 

I am so impressed with their work ethic and their respect they have shown me.

Boy am I going to missed them.


Thanks to all the farm friends who baked homemade sweets, oreos, coffee maker, etc. for the workers.  They appreciate it so much.  Kay Gray, Ray & Julie Belanger, Sandy Daigle, Tammy Lockhart all contributed to the "food/coffee" duty.  
I went and bought more coffee supplies today and added a little Christmas cheer with candy canes & hard candy.  Hope they like it!


Friday, December 16th is their last day, but they have done a lot in 7 days!!!

N. Pinkerton told me today that if the Charleston Crew has a day here or there this winter, they will call and work some more on the floor!
Love those guys....

On another note:  

I am meeting with the original General Contractor and the roofing sub contractor on Friday to figure out the leaking problem!

It rained today so they will see all the problems.  I did take pictures for them to see, but there isn't as much water as last weeks storm on the floor and on the walls.




Check out today's pictures...

Monday Update

The Charleston crew is continuing to work on the 2nd floor (floor) and doing a great job. To date, they have about 2/3 of the main floor torn up and sub-floor laid.  I just ordered 13 more sheets of CDX and another box of nails from Tillsons (who deliver to the door!).
I also put a couple nail guns on reserve from the Rental Center at Tillsons for the middle of the week for them.  They are going to be at the Fossa Store all week!  YEAH!
Anyone want to bake some cookies or brownies for the guys this week?  Give me a call if anyone has time.  They really appreciate it!!!
Also looking for a couple of those coffee vacuum bottles so I can make them coffee; or does anyone have an extra coffee maker?  I just asked Neal if they could have coffee and he thought it was a great idea.  Because of budget cuts, they don't get coffee at Charleston Correctional.  
 It is very cold in that building with no heat.
thanks,
judy

Friday update

Charleston crew moving right along today!


Nice bunch of guys; 5 workers and Neal the supervisor. They gave me the 'shopping list' this morning and off to see Louie at Dexter Lumber to fill their order. Shovel, rock salt (for sidewalk), 6 x 6's, 200 board feet of pine, nails, etc.

On my way back, stopped and picked up a dozen donuts from the Bakery; gotta keep the guys happy :) They all thanked me a couple times each...

They will be back next week too and will starting to lay the hardwood flooring, piecemeal style, but it will be nice. (using what we recycled and some donated from Sam Brown).

Anyone else have any extra hardwood flooring they are not using? Give me a call! thanks

Went to the bank today to get some names changed on the account, but no, still don't have the right paperwork... geesh

Picked up a light book at Tillsons to find ideas for fixtures for the store.

Busy day...

Thursday Update

 Hi Farmers and friends,
Great week so far despite winter weather creeping in.
As I had mention earlier this week, Charleston Correction crew was coming next Monday, BUT I received a call Wednesday from SAm and he asked if it was alright if they started sooner?  Guess what I said???
So here goes... 

Met with the Charleston Correctional crew this morning at the Fossa Store.  I got there at 8 am with Tim Breen and they finally arrived at 9 am.  Darn slippery weather slowed them up a bit, but once there, the guys attacked the 1st floor ceiling for the "open ceiling" look taking out the nails quickly, while I was upstairs with Supervisor Neal.  Tim & I explained what needed to be done and Neal saw no problem!

They bring their own tools but I order 15 more sheets of 1/2 CDX plywood and a box of nails which Tillsons delivered right to the door!  Yeah for shopping local....  (for those of you wondering, the 2nd floor is being paid for by DRDC money and volunteers.)  We will be moving the office furniture upstairs after it is done to make room for the downstairs work.

This afternoon the 5 man team tackled the 2nd floor "office/conference room" space and they are ripping up the old flooring down to the bare old boards and are laying the CDX subfloor over that.  Remember, there were multiple layers of floors up there of all different materials.

Neil called later this afternoon with some questions and then told me they could work for the next week or so! WOW... and I thought we only had one day  of work...  So, after consulting with Dave P. and Roger B we are going to have them keep working on the floor laying down the hardwood flooring re-cylcing what Tim salvaged and bring in what Sam Brown donated (If i can get hold of him... Sam, give me a call?)

Yippee Skippee! What a great program Charleston Correctional has to help non profits. They do a great job too and are very cheery :)  I am a happy camper.....

On another "sad" note, I did find bigger leak from the roof where the 2 buildings are attached AND on the other side where the delivery door & ice cream window is.  Wet spots on the floor.  NOT GOOD... the water is also in the basement which I assume is from the leak upstairs going down thru the wall.  (good thing we don't have insulation and wall board done...)

I called Steve Wood our previous contractor, this morning when I found the leaks.  If you remember I called a few months ago and they sent the subcontractor who did the roof last winter and thought they had it fixed.  WRONG...  I called again this afternoon and left another message, but hopefully they call back tomorrow.   I will keep you informed

Good thing we didn't get the walls put in yet or we would of been in a big heap of ............

I talked with Jason B. today and I promised to have the last 2 material information things he needs to send out the RFP's;  we made a deal that it is going to be out by the end of the year... only a few weeks away!

Well, that is it for now, but just wanted to keep you informed on the building status and the good news...  If you have any questions please call me.
Stay warm,
Judy

-- 
Judy Wilbur Craig
Dexter Community Farm Project Coordinator
http://dexterfarmproject.blogspot.com
207.924.3067