Soil: Know Your Roots

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will host a day-long seminar on the importance of soil health to Maine agriculture, during Maine Farm Days this year.

The “Soil: Know Your Roots” 2015 Maine Soils Conference is scheduled from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Aug. 27 at Misty Meadows Farm in Clinton, Maine. The conference is held in conjunction with the “International Year of Soils” initiative to raise awareness and promote the sustainability of our limited soil resources.

Scheduled speakers will represent a variety of agencies including: NRCS; University of Maine; Maine Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation; Maine Association of Professional Soil Scientists; and Woods End Laboratories.

Topics will include: Soil Agencies and Organizations; Soil Data, Maps and Interpretations; New Horizons in soil science; and Focus on Soil Health.

This conference and many of NRCS’s future activities will focus on working to improve recognition of the value and use of soils information in land use decision making. Improving the health of our nation’s soil is one of the most important conservation endeavors of our time, and a growing number of America’s farmers are using soil health management systems to improve the health and function of their soil. NRCS is working hand-in-hand with these producers through our technical and financial assistance programs and services to help ensure their success.

This conference is a free opportunity for anyone to hear about soil activities from NRCS and other Maine agencies and organizations, and to provide input on future directions and approaches.