On Saturday, Sept. 8, the Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation Farm Tour will hit the road. This year's tour puts the spotlight on farms in coastal Lincoln County. Participants will see conservation practices in action, learn about the benefits of local foods and agricultural products, and enjoy the view as we travel through the beautiful midcoast landscape in a climate-controlled luxury coach from Northeast Charter & Tour Co., winner of the 2014 Green Highway award.

The tour starts at a blueberry farm in Waldoboro and ends at a diversified vegetable farm and brewery on Westport Island – from one end of the county to the other! At Scott Blueberry Hill Farm in Waldoboro, Larry and Dale Scott — and their two sons — grow blueberries for the fresh market only. In 2016, the Scotts were recognized as Knox-Lincoln SWCD Conservation Farm of the Year for their efforts to prevent soil erosion on their fields. The harvest will be over, but there will be plenty to see and learn about soil conservation, pollinators and more.

After lunch, Gary Balducci, former Knox-Lincoln SWCD board member, will lead a tour of Wishing Well Acres in Edgecomb where he raises goats, sheep and emus (among other entertaining livestock) for meat and eggs. Balducci will introduce us to the importance of a livestock farm in a small Maine village and highlight practices that minimize runoff into the stream at the bottom of his fields.

Last stop of the day is MOFGA-certified Tarbox Farm on Westport Island, owned by Jeff Tarbox, Knox-Lincoln SWCD supervisor, and farmed organically by Kyle De Pietro. This diversified vegetable farm and CSA also raises organically fed and pastured pigs - and is home to the newly established Sasanoa Brewery, which brews with organic ingredients. For those interested, a beer tasting will follow the farm tour.

Between stops, relax and take in the breathtaking landscapes of Lincoln County as Knox-Lincoln SWCD staff Hildy Ellis and Rebecca Jacobs, and NRCS District Conservationist Peter Abello provide insights and answer questions about ecology, conservation, and agricultural activities along the way. And, enjoy home-baked goodies at morning coffee break, afternoon snacks, and a sumptuous, farm to table lunch prepared especially for us by chef Neal Foley at East Forty Farm & Creamery in Waldoboro.

Pre-registration is required and seats fill up quickly. Cost of the tour is only $45 per person and includes all food and travel from the Park & Ride at 723 Atlantic Hwy. in Waldoboro. To request more information or to register for the tour, contact Hildy at 596-2040, hildy@knox-lincoln.org, or register online at www.knox-lincoln.org/conservation-tour/. Knox-Lincoln SWCD is an equal opportunity provider and employer.