TURNER – A second public meeting for the conservation security program, hosted by the Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District, was attended by 46 people at Leavitt Institute on Feb. 28.

The meeting was conducted by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Program Specialist Susan Arrants. She reviewed the components of the program and gave examples of the possible financial impact that could be realized by answers given in the self-assessment application.

Questions were asked by those in attendance, then they were given an opportunity to set up appointments to review their self-assessment and finalize the application process with Natural Resources Conservation Service in their county.

Field staff from Farmington, Augusta, Oxford and Lewiston was available to assist the farmers.

The conservation security program is designed to award farmers seeking to be good stewards of natural resources in the Upper and Lower Androscoggin River Watershed.

The program recognizes farmers for the conservation measures they practice and measures they are willing to install during the life of the contract, with an annual reimbursement for five or 10 years. The additional installed conservation measures will promote and protect soil and water quality in the Androscoggin River Watershed.

The deadline for sign up is March 31. For more information or to set an appointment, call the local Natural Resources Conservation Service office. Residents of Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties may contact District Conservationist Autumn Birt at 753-9400, ext. 3.