Field Refurbishment for Land Trusts

In addition to fields that are mowed too often to provide successful nesting habitat, other land trusts own fields that are no longer attractive habitat for grassland birds due to either invasive species or woody vegetation encroachment due to late fall or alternate year mowing. For field refurbishment work, Ag Allies will be working with land trusts throughout the state of Maine.

Currently, Ag Agllies is working on improving two land trust demonstration field sites. Both sites will be utilized for further outreach activities in the coming seasons.

KENNEBEC LAND TRUST ‘SURRY HILL’

This 20-acre field in Fayette: Field was soil tested spring of 2021 and then limed (according to soil test recommendations) and partially re-seeded with a no-till drilled seed mix (according to recommendations from Rick Kersbergen, Crop Advisor and University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service specialist). Surry Hill will be fertilized in 2022, after the lime has had a chance to improve soil pH.

GEORGES RIVER LAND TRUST ‘RIVERVIEW FIELDS’

The 40-acre GRLT site required no additional lime. Fertilizer recommended by Rick Kersbergen, Cooperative Extension Specialist has been purchased and is on site for spreading in spring of 2022. This site hosted a well-attended summer Walk and Talk event.