RUMFORD – The Threshold To Maine Resource Conservation and Development Area will host an informational meeting for interested landowners to discuss agricultural carbon credits and a potential new volunteer carbon credit marketing program from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday, April 18, at the Rumford Town Hall auditorium.

In 2007 Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District received a USDA/NRCS conservation innovation grant to begin a pilot project called the Maine Carbon Credit Program.

When all phases are completed, a statewide soils carbon baseline will be established. A baseline is needed in order to certify soils as eligible for agricultural carbon credits. The ultimate goal is to provide landowners who use conservation practices that increase carbon storage in soils the opportunity to sell carbon credits through a voluntary market.

One task of the grant is to let landowners know about conservation practices that increase carbon storage and are currently acceptable for carbon credits, what the carbon market is about and the possibility of earning extra income by selling agricultural carbon credits.

After a brief PowerPoint presentation, all attending will have an opportunity to participate in the discussion, ask questions and indicate if they would be interested in the program when it becomes established.

To register for the meeting, contact the Threshold To Maine office at 657-3131 or e-mail [email protected], by Tuesday, April 15.

To find out more about carbon issues, what other states have been doing and how selling carbon credits has been increasing the bottom line of their farmers and other landowners, call Sue Gammon at 753-9400, ext. 404.