Dear Editor:

Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) would like to congratulate all individuals who were honored Thursday, Nov 1 at the Knox-Lincoln SWCD 71st Annual Awards Banquet at Camp Wavus in Jefferson. District friends, partners and the public were invited to celebrate the conservation contributions of Knox and Lincoln county residents and learn about district activities throughout the year.

This year we recognized the following conservationists for their contributions:

Conservation Farm of 2018: Cooper Funk & Marina Sideris of Dooryard Farm in Camden in recognition of farming practices to promote soil health for generations to come

Lifetime Service Award: William Laflamme of Sidney for 36 years of service in soil & water conservation at Maine DEP

Special Appreciation Award: North Nobleboro Community Association for community service and more than 30 years of hosting the Knox-Lincoln SWCD Awards Banquet (Janet Spear, accepting)

Volunteer of the Year: Gail Presley of Rockland with many thanks for assistance with the Spring Plant Sale

Woodland Stewardship Award: Dick Koubek of Bremen for managing for the future forest

Excellence in Conservation Education: Coral Coombs, Lincolnville Central School; Ferolyn Curtis, South School in Rockland; and Pamela Walton, Gilford Butler School in So Thomaston for bringing environmental education to elementary classrooms

Along with congratulating our conservation award winners, we held a raffle as one of our yearly fundraisers. Knox-Lincoln SWCD offers educational programming for students and adults, technical services, a spring plant and conservation supply sale and retains historic aerial photos of our region. We appreciate the following individuals and local businesses, who generously donated prizes for our raffle which raised $300 and ensured that we can continue with these efforts: Sharon Abair, Dragonfly Cove Farm, Fireside Pottery, Fresh Off the Farm, Green Thumb, Hatchet Cove Farm, Midcoast Conservancy, Mystic Woodworks, Savage Oakes Vineyard & Winery, School House Farms, State of Maine Cheese, Jean Vose and Warren True Value.

Thank you to all who attended our awards banquet and contributed to conservation efforts over the year.

Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District board of supervisors and staff