Volunteers gather to work at the Law Farm
DOVER-FOXCROFT — On Saturday, May 4 28 volunteers gathered in the community to help manage one of Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation (PCSWCD) properties, the Law Farm on Lee Cemetery Road. Among the crowd were the Cub Scout Pack 61, Brian Roth from the University of Maine School of Forest Resources, Unity College Trail Crew and East Sangerville Grange members. All of these wonderful volunteers joined the staff and board members from the (PCSWCD) to help ready the land and walking trail system for the year.
PCSWCD’s mission is “to be a leader in agriculture and forestry by providing education and technical assistance to promote the conservation of natural resources on which we depend,” explains Executive Director Sarah Robinson.
Photo courtesy of PCSWCD
EARNING THEIR MEALS — Volunteers gather at the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Law Farm in Dover-Foxcroft for lunch during a May 4 work day.
The Law Farm was donated to PCSWCD in 2008 from Steve and Elaine Law with the understanding to continue managing the forest for now and for future generations and to also teach others about the importance of stewardship of natural resources. With help from the community, outdoor enthusiasts, dedicated staff and board members, the PCSWCD is able to maintain and manage the public land for anyone to access.
“We want people to experience how amazing this place is and how accessible it is from downtown [Dover] to enjoy outdoor recreation,” Robinson said. The Law Farm has a diverse agroforestry wetland and community forest with descriptive educational signs along the trail, an overlook spot on the boardwalk, an organic Christmas Tree nursery and an American Chestnut Germplasm orchard that is the farthest northern plot in the U.S. Aside from these natural and educational features, PCSWCD broke ground and prepared on the volunteer work day the children’s garden that will be planted on June 21 with the “Families in the Outdoor Program – Garden Fun!”
“So far, we have five local farms and the Thompson Free Library that are donating sunflowers and perennial pollinator-friendly flowers for the Sunflower Circle Garden. We are beyond grateful and so excited to see this project come together,” explains Robinson.
PCSWCD is a non-profit, quasi-state organization. The office is co-located with the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) located at 42 Engdahl Drive in the business park. To learn more about what the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District offers for programming, educational workshops, technical assistance or for more information to access the public lands visit www.piscataquisswcd.org or on Facebook.