The Poultney Mettowee Natural Resources Conservation District Page

The Poultney Mettowee Conservation District (PMNRCD) was created in 1940 as the first District in Vermont, and continues to work with agricultural producers as well as landowners, communities, youth and the general public on issues related to water quality and natural resource conservation. The 309,000-acre Poultney-Mettowee Watershed is home to 17 Vermont and New York towns. The watershed contains a combination of farmlands, forested areas, villages and rural communities. These areas are home to a diversity of wild and domestic plants and animals including several rare and significant species.

PMNRCD is one of 14 Districts in Vermont as part of the Vermont Association of Conservation Districts. Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of the State of Vermont and function as non-profit municipalities. Districts were created by the federal government in 1939 in response to the Dust Bowl to teach farmers about better soil erosion control methods.

The PMNRCD covers the watershed area for the Poultney and Mettowee Rivers in Vermont. The PMWP works with our partners in New York to encompass the entire watershed through the Poultney Mettowee Watershed Partnership.

Please note - the email listed on this website is inactive. To reach District personnel, please send emails to pmnrcd@gmail.com

Personnel changes at the Poultney Mettowee District

(from District Manager, Marli Rupe)

After 15 years with the District, I am leaving for a new position with the VT Agency of Natural Resources. My new job will be in agricultural water quality and let me work on statewide issues with the farmers and agencies that I greatly respect.

The District is currently looking for a new District Manager, and we will be sharing information as this search concludes. In the interim, several people are helping keep District projects going, including former employee, Hilary Solomon, to whom we are enormously grateful for her time and assistance in this transition.

Until then, messages can be left at the District office (287-8339) and at pmrncd@gmail.com

My new email will be marli.rupe@state.vt.us, and I hope to hear from many of you.

With sincere thanks for many years of great projects

Marli Rupe

District Equipment for use

Thanks to partnerships and grant funding, the District now either owns or has access to several pieces of equipment for use by our landowners and towns.

Aerator

The District owns and manages two aerators, 15’ and 8’7”, which are available for use by landowners. The charge is $5/acre to cover the cost of replacement parts and insurance. If you are using it on hayfields with liquid manure, you may be eligible for cost-share assistance from the VT Agency of Agriculture. Contact Jennifer Alexander, Agronomist, for more information.

No-till Seeder

UVM Extension has received funding to purchase a Haybuster 10’ no-till seeder with two large seed boxes and a legume box. Thanks to our partnership with them, farmers in the District are able to use this equipment for no charge for the next 2 years, thanks to a grant from the VT Agency of Natural Resources. Contact Jen for more information.

Hydroseeder

Last year, the District purchased an Easy Lawn hydroseeder for use in seeding roadside ditches or other areas of potential erosion. Several towns used the equipment last year and have been very pleased with the results.

With grant funding from the VT Community Foundation, the District is able to offer the use of the hydroseeder and materials free of charge for 2012 for projects that will help control erosion. This includes all seed, mulch and tacifier – first come, first served until the funds are gone. Contact the District office to schedule use.