In March of 2006, I was working as the Part time agent for the Conservation Commission. Members on the Conservation Commission
and Robert Plamondon from the Board of Selectmen were very interested in promoting the use of Organic Lawn Care in the
Town of Townsend. We worked with Chester Mandrik from Yard Spice Organics LLC, N.O.F.A., Beyond Pesticides, and Bradfield
Organics to conduct a seminar to introduce the town to the concept of Organic Lawn Care. The seminar was followed up with information booths
at the Earth Day Celebrations on the Townsend Common in 2006 and 2007.
Chester Mandrik from Yard Spice Organics LLC. met with the Board of Selectmen just prior to the 2007 Earth Day Celebration
to offer to implement Organic Land Care Practices on the lawns at the town hall and library at no charge to the town.
Labor for the application of treatments was to be provided by Yard Spice LLC and Turgeon Environmental Services. Fertilizer
would be provided by Bradfield Organics for the 2007 growing season. The Board of Selectmen approved the offer. Treatments
started in May of 2007. Mowing of the lawn at the Town Hall is performed by the custodians and the lawn at the library is mowed
by the Parks and Cemetaries Department.
In July of 2007, I worked with representatives of all of the groups involved in the project and prepared a Grant Application from
The Toxics Use Reduction Institute to fund the project in 2008. Thanks to the support of all parties involved, the application
was approved. The new source of funding will also serve to publicize the project and promote the use of Organic practices in Townsend
and beyond. Follow the links below to learn more about the Project and Organic Lawn Care.