Wright, Quint named as staff members to Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Houlton branch

    Introductions, please. After a revolving-door period at the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Houlton office, the hiring officials decided to look at hiring within the local community (how many times has it been mentioned in this column the benefits of investing in community?). The NRCS office now has two new staff members, Sam Wright and Phil Quint, Jr.
    Before I ever met Sam, I was speaking with a mutual acquaintance who mentioned Sam and how he grew up in Littleton and really wanted to live there again on his own piece of land. This was said in an appraising way since northern Maine has more of a reputation of losing our kids to southern Maine and beyond. Here was a young guy who wanted to come home. Sam actually ended up on a small farm in Houlton but since it’s a stone’s throw to the Littleton town line, I’m assuming he must feel as if his dream has come true. The farm contains a great barn, existing pasture and hayland and even a small vineyard. The work and plans for his own farm extend, in part, to the work he does as a soil conservationist for NRCS.
    Phil is a self-described County boy, which he’ll tell you only means he has not lived outside of Aroostook. All the better to appreciate where he grew up and continues to live. Breaking the synonymous Quint and Hodgdon mold, he now has a home on a plot of land at the end of a dirt road in Ludlow. His tutelage on the technical planning and designs of NRCS conservation projects will no doubt one day assist him as he designs the pond he envisions on his land. Since Phil is quite possibly one of the most easygoing people I have ever met, I can easily see him with a fishing pole, back leaning against one of his wild apple trees, whiling away an afternoon enjoying that future pond.
    Along with Helena Swiatek, the NRCS District Conservationist, it’s great to have a full office again and be able to provide the technical and program information to those who come through the office door. Stop by and make your acquaintance.