Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District will hold its annual Awards Banquet at the North Nobleboro Community Hall on East Pond Road in Nobleboro on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. All are invited to join us for a homemade dinner of smothered beef or squash, auliflower & greens casserole, along with the best coleslaw, local veggies — and the legendary all-you-can-eat pie assortment for dessert! Dinner is followed by awards presentations and this year’s guest presentation, “USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants for Renewable Energy.” Guest speaker Sue Jones will explain how Community Energy Partners is helping rural businesses and agricultural producers be successful in applying for these grants and Rob Johanson of Goranson Farm in Dresden will share his experience in applying for and receiving a grant for a tracking photovoltaic array. In addition, Marge Kilkelly of Dragonfly Cove Farm in Dresden and Senior Policy Advisor to Senator Angus King will be on hand to share insights from DC. There will be plenty of time to get all your question answered!

Before we introduce our guest speakers, there will be brief news and activities updates from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and District staff, and presentation of the Annual District Awards.

This year we are presenting the following awards:

Cooperating Conservation Farm of 2016 – Scott Blueberries, Larry and Dale Scott, Waldoboro

Excellence in Forestry Education – Hidden Valley Nature Center, Bambi Jones and Tracy Moskovitz, Whitefield

Special Recognition for Preserving Agricultural Biodiversity – Beau Chemin Preservation Farm, JoAnn and Wayne Myers, Waldoboro

Outstanding District Volunteer – BJ Dobson, West Boothbay Harbor

We hope you will attend to meet and honor friends and associates, old and new. Registration fee of $15 covers the cost of the meal. To register, contact the District before Thu, Oct 27 at 596-2040, hildy@knox-lincoln.org, or register online at www.knox-lincoln.org/annual-meeting/.