Hedrich inducted into National Association of Conservation District’s Hall of Distinction

Mark Hedrich

Both the Knox-Lincoln SWCD Board of Supervisors and staff, and the Maine Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) Executive Committee have announced that Mark Hedrich, of Agricola Farms, in Union, has been accepted by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) for entry to their Hall of Distinction in 2022.

Mark’s service and contributions span local, state, and national conservation. His volunteer leadership in chairing the Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District for multiple decades—36 continuous years of service—has impacted the local area through identifying and addressing natural resource priorities, highlighting and  assisting with resource concerns unique to the region, as well as supporting education and outreach to inform local landowners of services available, funding opportunities, and issues important to landowners of all levels; from recent landowners to beginning farmers to diverse operation property owners/managers.

When not farming in Union, or assisting Knox-Lincoln SWCD or MACD, Mark can be found at Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry as the nutrient management specialist where he assists producers with nutrient management planning, solar pasture endeavors, irrigation, and compost management statewide.

In addition, Mark’s knowledge of farm operations, resources, permitting requirements, and soil health provide important input and recommendations for creating and updating informational resources – published documents, brochures, and Best Management Practice guides – provides the agricultural community with vital material statewide.

As an expert in carcass composting, Mark has assisted in helping the agricultural community on a national level, as well. He is a recognized USDA Compost Subject Matter Expert. As such, Mark was deployed in 2018 to North Carolina to assist poultry operations recover after Hurricane Florence where he worked directly with growers to supervise poultry losses (broilers) through composting. Mark’s expertise and willingness to deploy is important during these types of catastrophic events to ensure sustainability and safety on site during devasting animal loss.

A member of the Maine Association of Conservation Districts Executive Committee, Mark makes recommendations and offers guidance to advance the profile and public awareness of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. With long-range awareness to conservation methods, common sense approach decision making, and skills that provide extensive assistance, Mark Hedrich more than deserves the recognition of the National Association of Conservation Districts Hall of Distinction.

For more information about NACD and the Hall of Distinction, please see: https://www.nacdnet.org/about-nacd/nacd-history/hall-of-distinction/. For more information, please call Julie at 596-2040 or email julie@knox-lincoln.org.

DEP’s Basic and Advanced Erosion Control Practices training offered

Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District and Maine DEP are co-sponsoring an in-person day-long training in Basic and Advanced Erosion Control Practices Certification for Contractors on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at Union Town Office, 567 Common Road, Union. The training will be held from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and includes a morning refreshments and lunch.

If you are an excavation contractor, landscaper, well driller, or other individual involved with soil disturbance within the shoreland zone and have not yet taken a class, sign up now so that you won’t have to turn away jobs! John Maclaine, of Maine DEP, will facilitate this course, which is necessary to become a Contractor Certified in Erosion and Sedimentation Control Practices by the Department.

Pre-registration with payment of $60 (mail-in registration) / $62 (online registration) is required by Friday, September 10. Attendees may register and pay online or download a registration form from the Knox-Lincoln SWCD website at https://www.knox-lincoln.org/events-workshops/basic-erosion-and-sediment-control-practices-contractor-certification-training or for more information, contact Knox-Lincoln SWCD office at 596-2040, julie@knox-lincoln.org.

Knox-Lincoln SWCD is an equal opportunity provider and employer.