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| Piscataquis Farming Newsletter |
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| Volume 8 Number 1 |
January 2010 |
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Goal
The goal of the Piscataquis Farming Newsletter is to provide timely information on the production and marketing of crops and livestock grown in Piscataquis County. Upcoming events and programs of interest will also be included. |
New Look!
As you see the Piscataquis Farming Newsletter has a new look. With our new content management system for our web pages the archived version of this newsletter will no longer be available. We will try to add popular articles to the Piscataquis County Farming Web site in the future. But for now if you see an article that interests you, please download it to refer to it again.
Thanks. |
Mission
University of Maine Cooperative Extension is the major educational outreach program of the University of Maine, with offices statewide. UMaine Extension provides Maine people with research-based educational programs to help them live fuller, more productive lives. |
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Piscataquis Extension Office to Stay Open
Many of you are aware of the challenging budget situation in Piscataquis County where the Extension Association is facing a significant decrease in county funding for next year. The Executive Committee, volunteers, and clients of the Piscataquis County Extension program have been tremendous in their support of the office, programs and staff. University of Maine Cooperative Extension Piscataquis County office will remain open and continue to provide our services to county residents. We appreciate our long standing partnership with county government and we want to recognize and thank the Piscataquis County commissioners. We recognize these are challenging economic times and look forward to our continued work making a difference with the communities, people and businesses in Piscataquis County. We want to thank everyone for their support.
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Hoop House Program
USDA to launch high tunnel pilot study to increase availability of locally grown foods. 3-Year Project To Verify Effectiveness Of High Tunnels In Natural Resource Conservation under the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels - also known as hoop houses - to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.
The 3-year, 38-state study will verify if high tunnels are effective in reducing pesticide use, keeping vital nutrients in the soil, extending the growing season, increasing yields, and providing other benefits to growers.
Made of ribs of plastic or metal pipe covered with a layer of plastic sheeting, high tunnels are easy to build, maintain and move. High tunnels are used year-round in parts of the country, providing steady incomes to farmers - a significant advantage to owners of small farms, limited-resource farmers and organic producers.
USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide financial assistance for the project through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the EQIP Organic Initiative, and the Agricultural Management Assistance program.
To sign up or learn more about EQIP assistance for high tunnel projects, contact a local NRCS office. It is important to get an application in progress since the time of application may break a tie between applications if both are ranked the same.
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| Nutritional Suppliments for Horses
Does My Horse Need Supplements? A horse owner's visit to the feed or tack store can be overwhelming if you walk down the supplement aisle. The choices are boundless, the manufacture's claims are miraculous, but the research supporting these claims is unclear for many of today's feed supplements. In this hard economic environment, horse owners need to be sure they are getting the most for their money when it comes to their horse's feeding program. Dr. Carey Williams will help demystify supplements so that you can feed your horse cost effectively with confidence. Dr. Williams will discuss a horse's vitamin and mineral, joint, calming, herbal and various other supplements, when supplements might be beneficial, and how to use science based information to determine if your horse needs a feed supplement.
You can view the archived version of this webinar.here.
Speaker is Dr. Carey A. Williams, Rutgers University, My Horse University. | |
New training program for beginning women farmers!
Maine WAgN is partnering with other New England WAgN organizations to provide training to those women who have been farming for fewer than ten years, and who would like a thorough and extensive introduction to the business of farming. The program includes nine required meetings and one optional meeting of six hours each throughout the winter of 2009 and early spring of 2010. There is also a role for mentors as described below.
The topics that will be addressed include:
1. Introduction to the Whole Farm Program, creating a values-based farm mission, and the Whole Farm decision analysis process
2. Increasing farm profitability (gross profit analysis; enterprise analysis)
3. Creating a While Farm financial plan
4. Business planning basics
5. Creating a marketing plan
6. Soil fertility basis; examining the enterprise's environmental impact (1/2 day for the topic and ½ day for a farm tour of interest to the group)
7. Time management - pulling it all together in a while farm plan
8. Land and infrastructure planning
9. Leadership and communication skill
10. Integrating livestock on your farm - optional
This is a three-year project: each of the ten segments will be presented each year. Each year the venue will be located in a different part of the state, to reduce travel expenses for participants. For the first year, the location will be based on the number of committed participants. The program will begin in January, 2010.
There is no charge for the program, which will be limited to 15 participants each year. Three mentors will be recruited for the training. Each will have five "mentees" and will receive a stipend and a travel allowance to their "mentees" farms. They are not required to attend the ten sessions, only the first session and graduation. They are expected to be available by phone and/or e-mail to answer questions and support learning.
Applications for beginning farmers and mentors are attached. Please respond as soon as possible.
Want to know more? Interested in attending the sessions or becoming a mentor? Got questions?
Contact:
Gail Chase, Director Maine WAgN
wagnmaine@gmail.com
207 453-4258 x21 |
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Organic Farmer Loan Fund
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is accepting applications for the Spring 2010 funding cycle. This fund is intended particularly to help organic farmers working on establishing a credit history for their farms.
Funds, generally in amounts of $5,000 to $20,000, may be used for working capital or farm equipment, and will be available to: MOFGA-certified organic farmers; farmers transitioning to organic production; and current participants and graduates of MOFGA's Journeyperson Program.
The application deadline for the next funding round is Friday, January 29, 2010.
More information and application forms also are available from the MOFGA office. Call 207-568-4142 or send an email to loanfund@mofga.org. |
Schools Use Local Food for Fundraisers
A Montana school district is proving that fundraisers can be good for local farmers and ranchers as well as classrooms. The Gallatin Valley farm-toschool program and six schools near Bozeman have found a way to raise money without selling candy, magazine subscriptions or frozen pizza. The project sells local products such as huckleberry preserves, fresh winter produce, seasonings, roasted cereals, granola, specialty lentils, barley, syrups, and honey. Farm-to-school connects children with fresh food from local farms and ranches. It improves student nutrition, local economies, and community understanding all at the same time. Link to Farm to School Program. Source: ATTRAnews, Vol. 17, No. 6, Nov. - Dec. 2009 |
Protecting Water from Freezing
The recent below zero weather has caused problems for livestock farmers, homeowners and others with frozen pipes. Keeping water thawed is simply a matter of conservation of heat. You need to keep the temperature of the water above freezing. The three most common methods are adding heat with a heating device,
insulating to conserve heat, and adding heat by
bringing in warmer water.
Any water lines that can be drained for the winter (sprinkler lines, empty buildings, pasture water lines, garden hoses, etc.) should be disconnected and drained. Compressed air can help remove water from some low spots, but separating connections at the low points is the surest way to make sure water doesn't get trapped in low spots. Remember to remove garden hoses from hydrants and outside faucets on your home, barn or shop. Connected hoses can trap water and cause freezing even in faucets designed to be "freeze-proof."
Household water pipes in exterior walls can freeze in extreme weather. Check to see that there is sufficient insulation between the outside of the wall and the water pipes. Removing insulation between the warm room and the pipes can let more heat get to
the pipes. Even leaving doors ajar on the counter under the kitchen sink can allow a little extra room heat in to keep pipes warmer. In extreme cases, letting a trickle of water run all night will constantly replace the cold water in the pipes with warmer water from the basement or well.
Water pipes in exposed locations will need extra added heat. In a small enclosed space like a well pit or pump house, you might consider a small electric heater or heat lamp. For $30 to $50 you can even add a thermostatic control to turn a heater or lamp off when it isn't needed. Remember to keep fire and electrical safety in mind when selecting and installing heaters or lamps. Adding insulation to the pump house or well pit cover can help conserve the heat that is already present. Many people use hay or straw bales to insulate over a well pit. This works, but hay and straw attract rodents and hold moisture.
Insulating inside the pit and cover with materials like fiberglass or rigid foam board may be a better plan.
In open areas like unheated buildings or crawl spaces, you may need to localize the heat directly to the pipes. Long strips of heating element (heat tape) may be the answer. Heat tapes can be wrapped around the pipe to add heat directly to the pipe. Some heat tapes include built-in thermostats to turn them off in warmer weather. Be careful to follow
manufacturer's instructions when installing heat tape. Never apply heat tape over itself (double wrapping) or over or under pipe insulation unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates 2000 fires and ten deaths every year related to malfunctioning heat tapes. The CPSC recommends using only new heat tapes certified by Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) or similar agency. They also recommend using a ground fault circuit interrupter and replacing any heat tapes more than three years old with new, certified heat tapes utilizing grounded (3-prong) plugs. Check the CPSC web page . for more information, or call CPSC at 1-800-638-2772.
Even buried, underground water pipes are subject to freezing. Problems usually arise when soil in new water line trenches has not fully settled, or when earthwork or construction above the pipeline removes too much soil or replaces soil with materials like concrete that conduct heat away more easily. If you have a buried water line that is at risk because of fresh backfill or thin cover, you can add insulation on top of the ground in the form of hay, leaves, or even snow piled over the water line. In extreme cases, letting a small flow of water run continuously through the water line can supply enough warm
water to keep a line open through temporary periods. With buried lines, remember that the risk period may last for days or even weeks beyond the extreme cold weather until ground heat from below can migrate back up to the water line.
Livestock producers have more challenges trying to keep waterers open for livestock in an unheated barn. Many farmers opt for tank waterers in winter. If electricity is available, submersible electric trough, tank, and bucket heaters are available for $20 to $50. For safe operation, you must have a power supply with a third wire ground. If electricity is not available, liquid propane gas (LPG) stock tank heaters are available for $300-$500.
Energy-free waterers are available for new installations. These waterers channel heat up from the ground below and use lots of insulation to keep water warm. Expect to pay $450 to $700 for energy-free waterers (about $100 more than their electrically heated counterparts).
An inexpensive alternative for large stock tanks without access to electricity is the propane bubbler. This device is anchored to the bottom of the stock tank and releases a slow stream of bubbles from a 20-pound (5 gallon) propane tank. The bubbles, which are not harmful to livestock, carry warmer water from the bottom of the tank up to the surface
where they maintain a small open hole in the ice during moderate weather. The bubbler costs less than $100 and operates for up to three months on five gallons of propane (about $10).
Adding insulation to the outside of a water tank and even to the water surface can help conserve heat and keep water available longer during cold weather. When adding insulation, be sure to protect the insulation from animal chewing, manure, and spilled water. For small quantities of water, electrically heated buckets and water dishes are available for $30- $100 from hardware and farm supply stores. Make sure these units are properly grounded for safety.
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| Extension Publications
The following agriculture related Extension publications are available or can be ordered at the Extension Office nearest you. You will notice that some publications are free and some have a cost recovery charge. Many other publications are available for free online or may be purchased at our secure publications web site.
Raspberry and Blackberry Production Guide for the Northeast, Midwest, and Eastern Canada
Item #2158 Publisher: NRAES
Site selection and preparation, trellising and pruning, nutrient management, harvesting, irrigation, pesticides, budgeting, and marketing. Also field production, high tunnel production, and greenhouse production. Descriptions of more than 70 cultivars including summer-fruiting red, black, and purple raspberries; fall-fruiting red and yellow raspberries; thornless, thorny, and fall-fruiting blackberries, and hybrid berries. 134 color photos, 36 line drawings. 157 pages, 2008. $37.00
Winter Care for Horses
Equine Facts Series
Item #1007 Publisher: UMaine Extension
4-page equine fact sheet addresses food, water and shelter requirements and other care necessary for horses during Maine winters. 2001. Download it for free or purchase for $0.75
Post-Frame Building Handbook
Item #1088 Publisher: NRAES
Learn design considerations involved in the construction of post-frame utility buildings or "pole barns," appropriate for machinery storage, livestock housing, boat or lumber sheds, shops or hay barns. Covers materials, design considerations and construction procedures; includes conversion charts, construction checklist and references. 78 pages, 1997 revision. $14.00 | |
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Upcoming Events
Tuesday -
Pesticide Recertification Credits
Maine Christmas Tree Growers Association
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association
Maine Sustainable Agriculture Society Growing Grains in Maine
Maine Landscape & Nursery Association
Nutrient Management
Fiber Maine-ia
Maine Cheese Guild
Maine Highland Cattle
Maine Wind Working
Wednesday -
Pesticide Recertification Credits
Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association
Beyond Organics - Conventional Rift
Maine Alternative Poultry Association
Maine Beef Producers Association
Maine Sheep Breeders Association
Maine Florists & Growers Association
Maine Pomological Society
Raw Milk Production in Maine
Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine
Nutrient Management
Thursday
Pesticide Recertification Credits
Farm Energy Partners
Food for Maine's Future
Food Safety at Farm Markets
Maine Alpaca Association
Maine Maple Producers Association
Maine Pork Producers Association
UMaine Extension Raspberry School
January 19, 2010 Bee School has been canceled. But many of the speakers will be giving talks at the regular meeting of the Penquis Beekeepers Association on the third Tuesday of the month, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the VFW in Dexter. For more information contact Tish Dutson tishdutson@yahoo.com.
January 20th and 21st, 2010 Northeast Pasture Consortium Annual Meeting will be held in Fairlee, VT . It is being held just prior to the Vermont Grazing Conference and Workshop. The two events in tandem make it a good opportunity for attendees to learn more about pasture management and issues affecting the profitability of livestock production on pasture. For more information go to the Grazing Guide.
January 20th and 21st, 2010 25th Annual Maine Potato Conference at the Caribou Inn & Convention Center, Caribou, ME. For more information contact Steve Johnson 800-287-1462 or 207-764-3361, email sjohnson@umext.maine.edu or visit UMaine Extension's Potato Program Web page.
January 27th, 2010 The Maine Highlands Farmers regular meeting at 7 pm at the Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft. Agenda: Locavor Community Meal Plans, Web Site, Membership, Vote on Officers, Update on Dexter Farm Market, Fundraiser Ideas.
January 27th and 28th, 2010 Northeast Regional In-Service Training for Agricultural Service Providers at the Hilton Garden Inn, Portsmouth, NH. For more information contact John Jemison 207-581-3241 or jjemison@umext.maine.edu
January 29th and 30th, 2010 Maine Farmers' Market Conventionhosted by the Down East Business Alliance at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast, Maine. Registration for one or two people is $120 ($90 if you register early) for the two-day event, or $75 for a single day. For more information, including the brochure and how to register, visit the Washington Hancock Community Agency web site or contact Sarah Joy at mfmc@wchacap.orgor call 207-664-2424 ext 4460.
February 5 - February 11, 2010 North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Conference - NAFDMA 2010 The new downtown Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Lancaster, PA . Building on the trends that were seen in the past couple years the organizers have put together a conference highlighting several key areas: Retail, agritourism, buy local, business management, family business, and employee management. Registration at NAFDM web site or contact Charlie Touchette, Phone: 413-529-0386 x11.
February 10th, 2010 Organic Certification Information Meetings. from 1:30 to 5:00 pm at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. MOFGA Certification Services will host a meeting for staff to interact with and receive feedback from constituents, and for growers to discuss issues as a group. MOFGA's Organic Marketing Coordinator, Melissa White Pillsbury, will talk about marketing and MOFGA's online directory. This seminar will cover certification questions and issues, organic crop improvement topics and food safety. For more information go to MOFGA.
February 24, 2010 The Maine Highlands Farmers special meeting with Seth Bradstreet, Maine Commissioner of Agriculture. All interested people are welcome to attend this meeting to talk about ways farmers can better utilize the Maine Department of Agriculture. Place to be announced.
February 27, 2010 Maine Grass Farmers Network 6th Annual Grazing Conference at KVCC in Fairfield. This year's speakers will be focusing on critical topics for all livestock owners currently utilizing pasture and grassland in their farming operations. Featuring keynote speakers: Troy Bishop, Rachel Gilker & Seth Wilner. There will also be a Grazing Conference Grassfed Cook-Off! For more information, call Extension Educator Rick Kersbergen at 1-800-287-1426 or visit UMaine Extension's Maine Grass Farmers Network Web page.
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Contact Info
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
156 East Main St.
Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207-564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491
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