FARMINGTON — Paul D. Hersey of Farmington recently retired from a career with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service as a district conservationist. He had been with the NRCS for more than 40 years.

His first permanent position with the former Soil Conservation Service, which is now NRCS, was in November 1974 as a soil scientist in Rockland. In 1975, he went to Cumberland County as a soil conservationist, then to Farmington in 1976 as a district conservationist, back to Cumberland County in 1984, and returned to Farmington in 1990 for a 24-year stay as district conservationist.

His dedication and service have been an extremely valuable asset to Franklin County where he made many improvements to the natural resources in the area. He played an instrumental role in improving private farmland and woodland.

An open house reception to honor his service is being held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Fairbanks School Meetinghouse, 508 Fairbanks Road, Farmington, with a short recognition ceremony at 3 p.m.

Those wishing to attend should contact Jade Gianforte at the Farmington USDA Service Center, 107 Park St., by Jan. 12. Donations toward the event and retirement gift are appreciated.