Message from the State Conservationist

On behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Maine I am proud to present this 2007 annual report to you.   This report will give you a snapshot of the conservation impact on our landscape being made by conservation partnership.  This partnership continues to make wise resource decisions daily to protect our State's private working lands.

We have come to the end of an amazing journey called the 2002 Farm Bill.  The dedication and hard work of the Maine NRCS staff and our conservation partners are depicted in the 2002 Farm Bill Summary for Maine, which can be found at www.me.nrcs.usda.gov/news. 

During the last year of operating under the 2002 Farm Bill, NRCS employees, along with conservation district employees and other partners, applied quality conservation through the USDA programs.  With the Farm Bill Programs contributing significantly, other key programs were Conservation Technical Assistance, Soil Survey, and Resource Conservation and Development.  At the local level, Local Work Groups assured that locally-led conservation produced results.  Additional dollars were brought to the state through conservation grants awarded to eight Maine organizations and groups

You will learn more about these programs and examples of some of our projects in this accomplishment report. 

As we celebrate what we accomplished in 2007, and as we face great challenges ahead, I would like to acknowledge and thank individual land users, conservation partnership members and NRCS employees for their accomplishments during 2007 and for their commitment in ensuring that future generations enjoy a quality environment.  I look forward to our continued efforts in 2008.

/s/ Joyce A. Swartzendruber

JOYCE A. SWARTZENDRUBER
State Conservationist

Productive Lands - Healthy Environment

NRCS Mission:

Helping People Help the Land