Highlights from the 2026 WCSWCD Annual Meeting
On Thursday, September 10th, the Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District (WCSWCD) gathered with landowners, agricultural producers, conservation partners, and community members at Stone Tree Farm & Cidery for our 2026 Annual Meeting. With around 35 attendees gathering on a crisp September afternoon, the event was a wonderful celebration of locally led conservation, collaborative partnerships, and the hard work taking place across Waldo County to protect our land and water resources.
Welcoming Remarks & Partner Spotlights
The afternoon kicked off under Stone Tree's tent, where guests enjoyed fresh local cider while catching up with neighbors and colleagues. Board Chair Andy Reed opened the formal program by welcoming everyone and thanking Stone Tree for hosting the District once again.
A central theme of the afternoon was collaboration. We were thrilled to be joined by partners from across the region, including representatives from the Sebasticook Regional Land Trust (SRLT), Friends of Lake Winnecook (FOLW), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), neighboring SWCD staff, local agricultural producers, and many more. Partners gave quick updates on ongoing watershed protection and land conservation initiatives, highlighting how interconnected our regional work truly is.
2026 Conservationist of the Year: Hall Brook Farm
A highlight of the meeting was presenting the 2026 Conservationist of the Year Award to Hall Brook Farm in Thorndike, accepted by owners Pheonix and Megan O’Brien. Operating roughly 20 acres of certified organic field crops and year-round greenhouses, Pheonix and Megan exemplify how high-yield commercial farming and dedicated environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand. Recently, WCSWCD partnered directly with Hall Brook Farm to develop a comprehensive Irrigation Water Management Plan. We want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Candace Gilpatric, retired NRCS Engineer, whose expert planning, engineering, and design made this system possible!
Pheonix and Megan O’Brian of Hall Brook Farm, receiving their Conservationist of the Year award. Photo credit: Gene Randall.
Why Hall Brook Farm Stands Out:
Soil Health & Cover Cropping: Prioritizing natural soil biology, multi-species cover crops, and crop rotation to build organic matter and prevent field erosion.
NRCS Conservation Practices: Implementing a Soil Health Management Plan, Soil Carbon Amendments, Contour Buffer Strips, Grassed and Lined Waterways, and High Tunnel Systems.
Community Impact: Supplying fresh, organic produce to regional grocery stores and food banks across Maine, strengthening our local food security.
We also celebrated local landowners who earned their Conservation Landscape Certification this year, recognizing their commitment to wildlife habitat, soil conservation, and clean water practices on their properties.
Field Walk at Fowler Bog & Interactive Displays
Following our door prize drawing (bird houses built by Board Chair Andrew Reed and bird seed), attendees split into two interactive tracks:
Guided Forestry Walk: Cheryl Daigle, Executive Director of the Sebasticook Land Trust, led a group over to the nearby Fowler Bog Preserve, alongside Allyssa and Jared Gregory (Maine Forest Service), Courtney Hawkins and Peter Abello (NRCS), and other conservation partners. The walk provided an active look at habitat management, forestry practices, and wetland protection in action.
A guided field walk from Stone Tree Cidery to Fowler Bog Preserve. Photo credit: Gene Randall.
On-Site Poster Display & Discussion: Guests remaining at Stone Tree explored map displays, project photo galleries, and technical resources while chatting casually with District board members and staff about ongoing programs.
Looking Ahead
Whether you joined us on the trail at Fowler Bog, shared ideas over cider, or supported our work from afar, thank you for being part of the WCSWCD community. Locally led conservation succeeds because of dedicated landowners, skilled technical partners, and engaged community members.
If you’d like to learn more about our ongoing projects, request technical assistance for your property, or get involved in upcoming workshops, explore our website or reach out to our team anytime!
