ROCKPORT — Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District, in cooperation with Maine Resource and Recovery Association, is offering local residents the opportunity to improve soil and conserve water right in their own backyards.

An 80-gallon Earth Machine Backyard Composter ($56) and a 55-gallon Systern Rain Barrel ($72) will be available for purchase. Both are made of recycled materials, designed to fit into any landscape, and are offered at wholesale prices.

The Systern Rain Barrel fits under a downspout to take advantage of roof run-off for garden watering and has built-in mosquito mesh and overflow capability.

The Earth Machine Composter has an "in at the top/out at the bottom" design and a 10-year warranty.

To make it even easier to convert kitchen scraps into soil, Knox-Lincoln Soil and Water also has accessories: a 2-gallon Sure Close kitchen compost pail with vented, locking lid that keeps odors in and flies out ($11) and the Wingdigger compost aerator and turner ($22) to mix compost layers and decrease compaction without straining back muscles.

These prices are well below suggested retail for these items and include tax.

Backyard Conservation will be on display at the Knox-Lincoln SWCD office at 893 West St (Rt 90) in Rockport and at the Spring Plant Sale at Union Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 2 (9-2) and Sunday, May 3 (10-1) (www.knox-lincoln.org/spring-plant-sale/).

Items must be pre-ordered with payment by May 3 for pick-up at the District office from May 26-29.

For more information, to receive an order form, or to place an order, contact Knox-Lincoln SWCD at 596-2040, info@knox-lincoln.org, or www.knox-lincoln.org/backyard-sale.

Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation Districts is an equal opportunity employer and provider.