COUNTY — The Oxford County Soil & Water Conservation District (OCSWCD) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) invite the public to attend a meeting of the Oxford County USDA Local Working Group on Wednesday, Jan. 8, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Oxford County Office: 9 Olson Road in south Paris.

The Local Working Group will provide recommendations for the 2026 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to their local USDA–NRCS. The meeting will help identify local natural resource priorities and define criteria for funding conservation activities.

Topics of discussion in Oxford County will include: Ag Waste, Forestry, Pastureland, Cropland, High Tunnels, and Wildlife. Other issues and areas of concern can be discussed as well, and a list will be compiled of priorities recognized by this group. In addition to providing feedback, participants will have the opportunity to learn about other programs and incentives available to them.

“It is important for us to receive input from our farmers, growers, forest owners, and partners about local priorities regarding natural resource issues in Oxford County. By working together, we can ensure conservation programs are guided by local considerations and delivered to local farmers and landowners where they are needed most”, reports Jade Gianforte, your local District Conservationist.

The meeting will include an option for virtual attendance. To request the Zoom link to attend virtually, please email Chantelle Hay, OCSWCD Education and Outreach Coordinator at oxfordcountyswcd@gmail.com.

Please feel free to email or call us at 207-744-3119 if you have any questions. If you require special accommodations to attend this meeting, please contact us by Jan. 6th, 2025. Oxford County Soil & Water Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service and USDA are equal opportunity providers and employers.