FARMINGTON – The Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District has 98 different offerings listed for its 2004 shrub fund-raising program. The majority of these trees and shrubs come from Maine nurseries. The rest of the plants come from hardy northern nurseries.

The conservation district will try to fill every order received by March 31. Orders that come in after that will be filled if at all possible, no guarantees. Orders can be picked up from 1 to 5 p.m. May 7 behind their office at 107 Park St.

A complete list and description is available to anyone who called 778-4279 or who stops by their office in Farmington to speak with Rosetta Thompson. Faxes may be sent to 778-5785 or email: [email protected].

The conservation district coordinates, sponsors and hosts educational program for all age groups including an Ag/environmental Day during Farmington Fair for students in grades kindergarten to four from Franklin, Somerset, Androscoggin and Kennebec counties. For middle school aged students, they offer three Conservation Field Days/Mini Envirothons for fifth and sixth graders throughout Franklin County.

High school students have the opportunity to take part in both a Mock Envirothon training session and a regional and state envirothon competition. A conservation poster contest is held for all grades. Many diverse workshops and training sessions are held for a wide array of individuals from lake association members to farmers to contractors to loggers and foresters to municipal officials as well as others.