Montgomery County Conservation District Holds Native Meadow Planting
On November 19, 2021, Montgomery County Conservation District (MCCD), in coordination with Penn State Extension (PSE), hosted a native meadow planting demonstration at Skippack Church. The event was funded through a PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Environmental Education Grant. There were approximately 35-40 people in attendance, including DEP staff, township officials, PSE master watershed stewards, community members/homeowners, members of the church where the planting occurred, and members and staff of other local churches. It was a chilly and breezy day, but everyone who made the time to attend was very interested in the topic, asked great questions, and seemed pleased with the event.
Abby Reiter of MCCD presented on meadow site selection, site preparation, species selection, meadow lifecycles, maintenance, and seed mix components. Andrew Frankenfield, Montgomery County PSE Educator, showcased measuring and mixing meadow seed and demonstrated calibrating the no-till drill for planting. With the assistance of a local farmer, who graciously brought and operated his tractor, the event concluded with a planting demonstration. A third-of-an-acre native meadow area was seeded at Skippack Church utilizing the district-owned no-till planter, which is available for rental to county residents free of charge.
Click here to view photos from the event.