Roller Crimper - Rodale Institute

We found another video of a roller crimper at work. This is from the Roldale Institute, a leader in sustainable farming research.

The Rodale Institute's cover crop roller is a ingenious low-tech tool that allows farmers to roll down a cover crop into a weed suppressing mulch mat and plant right into it, all in one pass. This tool marries two sustainable farming practices, organic and no till, into one low-input system that saves time and energy, produces bumper crops and sequesters carbon.

Jiffy and Bale King Bale Processors

Just wanted to remind everyone that while the funding is no longer available to provide producers with cropping payments for the winter cover project, we still have the Jiffy and Bale King bale processors available for use. If you an interest in using a bale processor this fall, please contact Angie at the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District office at 532-9407.

Due to stipulations set forth by the grant funding we recieved to purchase these bale processors, these machines can only be used for mulching practices to control soil erosion and reduce run-off. Priority for use will be given to those with land that falls within the boundaries of the SASWCD and have signed up to mulch land through the local Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Roller Crimper - Video

At our Winter Cover and Beyond Field Day on August 21st at the Bird Farm, Mark Fulford demonstrated his roller crimper. Fulford brought an 8-foot roller crimper and demonstrated it by knocking down a cover crop of oats and hairy vetch. The resulting mulch from the rolled cover crop, which would normally be direct seeded or transplanted into, provides protection from soil erosion, weed suppression and nutrient cycling. It also preserves soil moisture and organic matter and provides habitat for beneficial insects. Using this method eliminates additional field passes, which reduces soil compaction and saves on fuel costs, equipment wear and time.

This video is from Michigan State University Cover Crop Specialist Dale Mutch and demonstrates the use of a roller crimper to flatten a cover crop. Their roller crimper is front mounted and allows for a planter or implement to be attached to the back of the tractor. The roller crimper Mark demonstrated for us was mounted on a three-point hitch. Both roller crimpers utilize the "chevron" style design.

This video is a good introduction to the use of a roller cimper and is definetely worth the time spent watching it.

Watershed Planning Materials

The following link contains fact sheets from the Department of Environmental Protection and Portland Water District on common practices that home and camp owners can use to protect water quality. The fact sheets include detailed instructions, diagrams and color photos about installation and maintenance of these practices. The district has incorporated a number of these practices on our Drew's Lake Project with a great level of success.

Their is also link on this page to a Camp Road Maintenance Manual from the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District, which you may also find informative.

Watershed Planning Materials

New District Blog - Welcome

Welcome to the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District's blog. We will be updating the blog periodically with different news and events and other topics of interest. Stay tuned and check back soon.