HOULTON, Maine — Helena Swiatek spoke to the Houlton Rotary Club on Monday outlining many USDA Conservation programs available to individuals and businesses in the greater Houlton area.
The services offered in Southern Aroostook are vast, covering information on conservation best-practices, free aerial maps of the area dating back to 1935, technical assistance on project installation or direct financial assistance.
Swiatek informed the club that although the USDA Conservation agency is funded by the federal government, all of its services are free of cost, voluntary and they are prohibited from reporting any violations found. The motivation behind its non-reporting status is so that individuals seek help to resolve environmental issues instead of ignoring or hiding them, even if they are in violation of the law.
“When waste from a cattle field no longer drains into a nearby stream, everyone wins,” said Swiatek.
Swiatek also relayed information on pollinators, saying “Pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, moths, birds, beetles, and bats, provide crucial assistance to fruit, vegetable and seed crops as well as other plants that produce fiber, medicine and fuel. Many pollinators are in trouble, but you can help by selecting high-quality pollinator plants for your garden.
“If you operate a farm or ranch, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service can help you create habitat for pollinators. This not only benefits pollinators, but also provides ample perks for the farmers and ranchers, too. More pollinators – native and managed – can increase crop yields.”
Currently there are $3.3 million in contracts being rolled out in southern Aroostook through the USDA Conservation Service, such as forestry thinning, stream crossings, cropland assistance, high-tunnel growing shelters, fences, soil erosion containment, and much more. Projects can be through individuals on their private land, for-profit companies, or community associations.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has offices in Houlton, Presque Isle, and Fort Kent. If you have questions about what services might benefit you, Helena encourages you to contact her at 207-532-2087 x103 or Helena.Swiatek@me.usda.gov.
