Hampden Hampshire Conservation District

A Conservation District is a voice for their local community, providing leadership on conservation issues and establishing priorities for conservation projects. Conservation Districts partner with state and federal agencies to deliver needed programs, education, and technical assistance to their communities. A conservation district is a non-regulatory agency – meaning we do not create or enforce rules. We are simply here to help!

Our mission

The mission of HHCD is to provide educational outreach, technical assistance, and financial support to communities and landowners to protect the soil, air, forests, and water resources on which we all depend. The District brings together community members, agencies, and organizations, to work collaboratively on preserving the ecological integrity and economic vitality of the Hampden-Hampshire region for many generations to come.

Our work

Districts help the community conserve and steward natural resources, such as soil, water, air, and forests, by connecting farmers and other landowners to funding, education, equipment, and other forms of assistance.

Hampden-Hampshire Conservation District (HHCD) is one of thirteen conservation districts in Massachusetts. A conservation district is a non-regulatory agency – meaning we do not create or enforce rules. We are simply here to help!

Districts help the community conserve and steward natural resources, such as soil, water, air, and forests, by connecting farmers and other landowners to funding, education, equipment, and other forms of assistance.

The mission of HHCD is to provide educational outreach, technical assistance, and financial support to communities and landowners to protect the soil, air, forests, and water resources on which we all depend. The District brings together community members, agencies, and organizations, to work collaboratively on preserving the ecological integrity and economic vitality of the Hampden-Hampshire region for many generations to come.

What is a Conservation District?

Conservation Districts were established in the 1930’s in response to the menace of soil erosion and severe drought that caused the Dust Bowl. Congress created state soil Conservation Districts and the Soil Conservation Service (now called NRCS) to provide landowners with techniques to conserve and protect their resources. The first Conservation District in Massachusetts was founded in 1945. There are currently 13 Conservation Districts in the State, corresponding with 14 counties. Each District is governed by a board of locally elected citizens who volunteer their time and leadership. The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) gives one voice to the districts.

A Conservation District is a voice for their local community, providing leadership on conservation issues and establishing priorities for conservation projects. Conservation Districts partner with state and federal agencies to deliver needed programs, education, and technical assistance to their communities.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Declares March “Massachusetts Maple Month”

Check out this article from MDAR, who visited the Maple Corner Farm, owned and operated by HHCD Chair, Leon Ripley, and HHCD board member Joyce Ripley - To celebrate the dawn of a new agricultural season in Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey is declaring March to be...

NACD’s 77th Annual Meeting

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack provided the keynote address at this year's National Association of Conservation District's (NACD) Annual meeting, in which he announced the availability of Inflation Reduction Act funds to support conservation programs. Tom emphasized the...

Healthy Soil Equipment Program!

HHCD is pleased to announce our new Healthy Soil Equipment program! In an effort to encourage farmers to experiment with approaches to farming that reduce tillage and improve the health and vitality of their land, several pieces of equipment will be available from...

NOFA/Mass Winter Conference is this Weekend!

I am very excited to attend my first NOFA/Mass Winter Conference this weekend! There are so many great workshops to attend on Saturday, forty-three (!) by my count, peer-to-peer consultation, two Roundtable Discussions on Sunday, and a keynote address by Ira Wallace,...

What to do with Your Tree

Massachusetts residents are estimated to purchase around 1 million cut Christmas trees each year. After your festivities are over, what should you do with your tree? Here are our top 5 options for disposing of your christmas tree:  Create habitat - place your tree in...

This Winter, Feed the Birds!

Winter is a wonderful time to observe birds in your backyard, especially if you invite them to your property with bird feeders. Lacking adequate food and water that they need to stay warm and healthy throughout the season, birds are more dependent upon feeders, and...

Celebrate no-till November!!

Join us in celebrating No-Till November! There are many benefits of no-till techniques, including: Soil erosion is significantly reduced, soil stays on your land, Increased soil aggregate stability, which benefits soil organisms, and reduces soil compaction, Improved...

Join the Board!

Become a District Supervisor! The Hampden-Hampshire Conservation District is seeking to add new District Supervisors in 2022-23. Why you should join us: -Take an active role to identify conservation needs and guide projects that improve environmental health in your...

Leave your Leaves!

There are many reasons to leave your leaves this fall! Our top 5 reasons are: Leaf litter provides valuable habitat for thousands of different species, mostly invertebrates. Some of the critters include pill bugs, earthworms, caterpillars, spiders, slugs, and larger...

Growing Vegetables in a Perennial Clover Living Mulch: Part 1

We are sharing an article by Lincoln Fishman, farmer at Sawyer Farm, about an experiment "to test the viability of intersowing crops directly in established Dutch White clover". An excerpt: "Sawyer Farm is located in the Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts. We’ve been...