BANGOR – Citing innovative leadership in developing a soil carbon program, Maine Rural Partners Executive Director Mary Ann Hayes has announced that Susan Gammon of the Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is the recipient of a Partner of the Year Individual Merit Award for 2008.

Hayes said, “Individual merit awards are bestowed upon standout performers who have delivered ‘above and beyond’ collaborative leadership on behalf of their organization while participating in a partnered effort.”

Led by Gammon, the soils carbon program will offer Maine farms of all sizes the ability to enter the ecosystem services market for carbon sequestration.

The road to enable farmers to participate in the green credit market is a long one, and Maine is the first state in the northeast to tackle it.

Hayes said Gammon is making it happen through sheer determination and unwavering dedication despite constant funding challenges. Her work entails close working partnerships with the Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection as well as the University of Southern Maine and the Maine Association of Conservation Districts.

Hayes said she is building capacity for all Maine farmers and conservation districts and she is a true team player for all aspects of the Harvesting Clean Energy program.

Six additional merit awards were conferred upon Farm Energy Partners members for their leadership in particular areas. Those recognized were: John Blais, Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District, and AJ Ballard, Efficiency Maine, audit program development.

Also, Caragh Fitzgerald, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, farm energy field guide; Sue Jones, Community Energy Partners, community wind capacity building; Tanya Swain, Western Mountains Alliance, model outreach partner and team building; and Ron Desrosiers, Natural Resources Conservation Service/Time and Tide Resource Conservation and Development, strategic initiatives and relationship building.

Maine Rural Partners also named the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District as the 2008 Partner of the Year.

Anyone wishing more information about Maine Rural Partners may call the office at 581-4520 or visit www.mainerural.org.