Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is partnering with Androscoggin Land Trust, Healthy Androscoggin, University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Androscoggin/Sagadahoc Counties and USDA Time and Tide Resource Conservation and Development to offer an annual farm bike tour.

Participation in the "Androscoggin County Farm Bike Tour" offers support to local farms, conservation education, alternative transportation, saving energy, reducing your carbon footprint, healthy eating and  physical activity

To register for the Bike Tour click here.

Androscoggin County Farm Bike Tour Special Attractions Planned 

Lewiston:  The first annual Androscoggin County Farm Bike Tour on August 28^th will have a variety of special attractions planned for the event.  On the 50 mile route, the Celestrial Horse Farm will be open to visitors.  There are scenic views to be taken in and don’t miss the Beaver Hut. 

On both the 50 and 10 mile route, at the Packard-Littlefield Farm  tours showing conservation measures will be given.  Beginning between 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. the Packards will be speak about diversity of farm use with Sudanese people and Stephanie Gilbert will speak about the farmland preservation program in which the Packard-Littlefield Farm participates.   The Jillson Farm Stand will be open and have ice cream to purchase at the end of day.

 The partners promoting this event and the unique agricultural communities in Androscoggin County include Healthy Androscoggin, Androscoggin Land Trust, University of Maine Cooperative Extension for Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties,  Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District as well as--USDA Time and Tide Resource Conservation and Development and  the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

 In addition to the physical activity from bicycling, there are opportunities to learn about farming in Androscoggin County.  The unique goals desired for this event include:

• Giving an opportunity for physical activity to local families
• Promoting better health
• Providing exposure to and education about agriculture’s valued part in Maine’s history and future
• Building the understanding of the stewardship and conservation needed to keep agriculture sustainable

 The 50 mile route will begin in Sabattus and touch in Lisbon, Durham, East Auburn, Lewiston, back to Lisbon and end up at the starting point in Sabattus.  The 10 mile route will begin in Sabattus and go down into Lisbon and back to the starting point.

 Pre-registering is helpful, but participants can register on the morning of the event.  The cost is $10 per individual and $20 per family.  Checks may be made payable to Androscoggin Valley SWCD.  No one will be allowed to participate without signing a liability waiver form at the registration table.  An adult of at least 18 years old must be able to sign the liability waiver for children over 12 years old participating alone.  The form is available on our website at www.androscogginswcd.net  on the farm bike tour page.

 For more information, to volunteer, or to register in the long or family bike tour click on bike tour of the home page at www.androscogginswcd.net or call Jane Heikkinen at 207-753-9400 ext 400.

Androscoggin County Farm Bike Tour Registration Nearing the Deadline -- August 25, 2010

Lewiston:  The first annual Androscoggin County Farm Bike Tour is being supported by a variety of local partners to promote unique agricultural communities in Androscoggin County.  The Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District, in Lewiston, has convened a group including Healthy Androscoggin, Androscoggin Land Trust, University of Maine Cooperative Extension for Androscoggin and Sagadahoc Counties, as well as--USDA Time and Tide Resource Conservation and Development and Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

In addition to the physical activity from bicycling, there are opportunities to learn about farming in Androscoggin County. Both the family route, which  will involve riding under 10 miles, and the long route which will involve about 50 miles, will be able to  visit at two or three farms.  The Androscoggin County Farm Bike Tour offers the opportunity to learn about measures taken to achieve agricultural sustainability, traditional farming methods used, conservation practices for value-added and improved quality of products grown on the farm, alternative farming operations, diversity in farming, and the importance of farmland preservation. 

The owners of the farms offer the opportunity for the pedaling participants to begin to understand the diversity of agricultural production and see some of Androscoggin County’s most vital farmland.  Androscoggin County’s agricultural future is inextricably linked to its ability to continue to build a strong, long-lasting connection between farms and the communities they serve.  A Farm Bike Tour is one way to help make that connection.

 The health of Maine’s citizens continues to be a much talked about topic.  because of the concern that today’s child does not get enough physical activity  and due to the increasing percentage of obesity in Maine’s population.

 The Department of Agriculture reports that agricultural producers and processors contribute over 1.2 billion dollars to Maine’s economy and employ 65,000 people!

 The American Farmland Trust reported: “Farms closest to our cities, and directly in the path of development, produced much of our fresh food—an astounding 91% of our fruit and 78% of our vegetables.”  Note these statistics do not account for the percentage of dairy, poultry or meat produced on our farms.

The unique goals desired for this event include:

• Giving an opportunity for physical activity to local families
• Promoting better health
• Providing exposure to and education about agriculture’s valued part in Maine’s history and future
• Building the understanding of the stewardship and conservation needed to keep agriculture sustainable

 We have a 50 mile tour for the avid biker and a 10 mile tour for some family fun.  Both routes will have the opportunity to learn about agriculture in Androscoggin County.  The 50 mile route will begin in Sabattus and touch in Lisbon, Durham, East Auburn, Lewiston and end up back in Sabattus.

 More information, to volunteer, or to register in the long or family bike tour click on bike tour of the home page at www.androscogginswcd.net or call Jane Heikkinen at 207-753-9400 ext 400.

For those interested in biking:

The "Androscoggin County Farm Bike Tour" will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2010.  Two routes are being offered:  an approximately 10 mile route is offered for families at a cost of $20 per family and a 50 + mile route for the avid biker or those interested in preparing for the Dempsey Challenge at a cost of $10 per person.  Those under 12 years must be accompanied by an adult.  In case of inclement weather the alternative date for the event will be Sunday, August 29th.  See the brochure to learn more or register for the event by  clicking here.  We have extended the pre-registration date to August 25th.  Registrations will be accepted on the day of the event.

For those interested in learning about farm operations and farmland protection:

Along the route farmers have been approached with keeping their farm stand open, providing educational tours highlighting conservation practices used to enhance and improve farm production, and a presentation on farmland protection.  To learn about the specific sites contact Jane at Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District office at 207-753-9400 ext 400 or email: jane.heikkinen@me.nacdnet.net.

For those interested in being a volunteer for this event:

Before the event help is needed

• Printing and distributing brochures and posters
• Developing route signage and bike tour caution signs
• Putting up signs
• Developing route maps
• Agendas for presentations and tours for the event
• And other opportunities that may arise

Help need on the day of the bike tour

• Traffic guards -- directing bikers safely through traffic
• Water and refreshment stands -- providing bikers with nourishment
• Registration table -- handing out maps and agendas for presentations and tours and getting release forms signed
• Farm stand assistance -- bagging and labeling biker purchases and taking purchases back to registration
• Safety supply wagon and biker assistance-- trouble shooter for bikes with breakdowns -- providing parts and helping with repairs and/or taking biker back to starting point if needed
• Reporter -- getting testimonials from biking participants, presenters, farm tour guides, event partners
• Photographer -- taking pictures of presentations, at tours, at farm stands, along bike route
• And other opportunities that may come up

Help needed after the bike tour

• Taking down all signage
• Overseeing return of borrowed supplies
• Writing articles about bike tour for papers and websites
• Writing thank you notes
• And other opportunities needing help

This will be the FIRST Androscoggin County Farm Bike Tour and its partners offer the program as an equal opportunity employer and program provider.