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Piscataquis Farming Newsletter |
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| Volume 8 Number 2 |
February 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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Plan to Attend an Educational Program
As you look at this month's newsletter you will notice the large number of educational opportunities for farmers to sharpen their skills. Many times we hear people say you have to work smarter, not harder. These sessions are designed to help you learn how to get the most out of your farming operation. While we look forward to that perfect growing season we know there can be alot of things that can go wrong including disease, weeds, insects, markets, fuel prices, etc. These sessions can help you plan for the worst and take advantage of the best of circumstances. Another important part of attending these programs is a chance to meet with other farmers to chat about what is happening on farms in the area.
As a special treat the Maine Highlands Farmers have invited Maine Agriculture Commissioner Seth Bradstreet to come to Dover-Foxcroft to chat with farmers about how to use the services available to them from the Maine Department of Agriculture. All interested people are invited to attend this free session. See details in calendar. |
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Hoop House Program
A reminder that funding is available to help farmers extend the growing season while protecting natural resources. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Maine has announced a new pilot project 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. A seasonal high tunnel is a greenhouse-like structure, at least six feet in height, which modifies the climate inside to create more favorable growing conditions for vegetable and other specialty crops grown in the natural soil beneath it. Made of ribs of plastic or metal pipe covered with a layer of plastic sheeting, high tunnels are easy to build, maintain and move. This pilot will test the potential conservation benefits of growing crops under these structures. Participating farms can receive funding for a maximum area of 2,178 square feet at $3.75 per square foot. Approximately $135,000 is available for this initiative. Applications for this initiative will be accepted until February 19, 2010. Producers who would like to sign-up for the high tunnel pilot should call or visit the NRCS office at their local USDA service center, listed on-line at http://offices.usda.gov or in the phone book under Federal Government, U.S. Department of Agriculture. General program information is available on the web at www.me.nrcs.usda.gov . |
New Organic Fruit Production Books Available
"A Grower's Guide to Organic Apples" and "Production Guide for Organic Grapes". The guides provide suggestions on everything from variety- and site-selection to soil health and nutrient management. The bulk of each provides recommendations for how to manage insects, diseases, weeds and other pests using organic practices. Printed copies can be obtained by calling Renae Moran at (207) 933-2100 or email rmoran@umext.maine.edu .
Both can also be downloaded from the internet website:
http://nysipm.cornell.edu/organic_guide/
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Kidding Information for First Time Goat Owners
One resource for meat goat producers getting ready for their first kidding is the Kidding Season Mentoring Booklet available on the Cornell Goat Extension Website. Just go to http://tinyurl.com/ylmwdf9 to download or print it . Starting on page 8 or so it has several one page factsheets on bottle feeding, tubing, etc and it has two tables of kidding aliments. It assumes winter kidding and covers a lot of "interventionist" stuff that in reality you are not going to need very often. Some of the mentoring activities outlined in it are good for any new producer to try even if you do not have a mentor to work with.
Other goat web resources include :
NY Goat Extension http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/goats
NY 4-H Goat http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/4H/goats
Sheep Goat Marketing http://www.sheepgoatmarketing.info
Source: tatiana Stanton, Cornell Extension Rm 114 Morrison Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853 |
2010-2011 Vegetable Guide Available
Copies of the 2010-2011 New England Vegetable Management Guide are now available at Highmoor Farm. Cost of the guide is $20.00 plus $5.50 postage for a total of $25.50. To order a copy, please send your check made payable to UMCE mailed to Pam St. Peter, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Highmoor Farm, P.O. Box 179, Monmouth, ME 04259.
Members of the Maine Vegetable & Small Fruit Growers Association or the New England Vegetable & Berry Growers Association receive a free copy from MVSFGA. If you did not receive your guide at the annual meeting on January 13, MVSFGA treasurer Bill Jordan will be mailing one to you.
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Maine's Own Organic Milk Company (MOOMilk) official launched on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010
In 10 months MOOMilk has gone from concept to reality. The start of the production marks a new step in the recovery of the Maine dairy industry. MOOMilk is produced and processed entirely in Maine, with trucking, processing and delivery all done by Maine family businesses. Ninety percent of the profits from the sale of the milk will go to the family farms producing the milk. MOOMilk is not a cooperative, but a low-profit L3C corporation with a mission of helping Maine organic family dairy farms survive by earning a fair price for their milk.
The 10 charter family organic dairy farms were dropped by an out-of-state processor in 2009. They banded together, and with assistance from the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), Maine Farm Bureau, and the Maine Department of Agriculture put together Maine's Own Organic Milk Company.
Milk from farms in Washington, Aroostook, Penobscot and Kennebec Counties is now being picked up every other day by Schoppee Milk Transport of Holden and trucked to the Smiling Hill Dairy production facility in Westbrook for processing. Oakhurst Dairy and the Crown of Maine Organic Coop handle distribution to stores all over Maine.
For more information visit their website at http://moomilkco.com |
Maine Ag Trader (brand new website)!
There's a new website that is a free site for Maine ag producers to be able to "buy, sell, swap, and trade agricultural equipment." Many farmers have been asking for this type of site so hopefully it will help when you are looking for a piece of equipment or trying to sell unused equipment. Check it out at http://Meagtrader.org/ (There is also a sister site that is part of it called http://mefoodtrader.org which was launched in October and which also looks very promising & useful). The Maine Dept. of Agric. is one of the funders for the whole thing (the other funder, and creator of it, is the New England Environmental Finance Center).
Source: C. Armstrong - Cranberry Professional University of Maine Cooperative Extension, January 20, 2010 email. |
Helping Farmers Cope with Stress
Farming can be stressful in the best of times. Financial worries, unpredictable weather, plant pests, livestock diseases, and isolation all contribute to farmers' anxiety. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has a listing of recommended resources to help farmers and their families who are under stress on their web site at http://tinyurl.com/farmstress .
If you are concerned about yourself or about somebody else, call the crisis hotline to be connected to your closest crisis center.
Maine Statewide Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-888-568-1112. |
Featured 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.
So You Want to Farm in Maine? Item #2433. Publisher: UMaine Extension
Have you ever thought about moving to a farm and wondered whether it's really the right life for you and your family? Answering the questions in this 4-page bulletin related to the realities of farming in Maine will help you decide. 1998. Download it for free: HTML. $0.75
Direct Marketing of Farm Produce and Home Goods Item #2300. Publisher: UMaine Extension
This 25-page book was written at the University of Wisconsin and adapted for Maine by UMaine specialists in small fruit, tree fruit, farm management and business. Offers direct marketing alternatives and strategies for beginning and established producers. Covers pick-your-own, roadside markets, farmers markets, CSAs, home delivery, selling to stores and restaurants, and more. 1995. $3.00
Greenhouse Engineering Item #1050. Publisher: NRAES
260-page manual for planning and construction of commercial greenhouses. Major sections describe structures, methods of materials handling, the greenhouse environment, and energy conservation. Includes plans for noncommercial greenhouses, access for the handicapped, and remodeling existing greenhouses. Appendix includes conversion tables and worksheets for performing calculations. 1994. $30.00 |
Upcoming Events
Friday, February 5, USDA Grant Programs 8:30 am - 10:30 am - Skowhegan Community Center, 39 Poulin Drive, Skowhegan sponsored by Western Mountains Alliance is partnering with the USDA Rural Development. The program will be focused on two grant opportunities, the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) and the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Both are federal programs of the USDA Rural Development. This workshop may be of interest to you if you are a value-added producer looking for funds to help you develop a business or marketing plan, or if you are seeking working capital to operate a value-added business venture or alliance that would help you better compete in the marketplace. It is also appropriate for agricultural producers that are interested in making energy efficiency improvements or considering installing a renewable energy system. More information and to RSVP contact Western Mountains Alliance at 207-778-3885 or info@westernmountainsalliance.org .
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 10 - Livestock Handling Webinar Using Grandin-like Principles in Livestock Production: small things sure can make a difference - 10:00 am (PST) - with Jane Morrigan. Based on the know-how of Dr. Temple Grandin and on down-to-earth application of sound scientific evidence, this webinar will cover relevant natural animal behaviors, the importance of good stockmanship, how to improve livestock handling and how to reduce animal stress. For further information and registration information see http://www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/infonews/events.php .The fee for the seminar is $20.00 CAD (incl. GST), student/apprentice rate $10.50 CAD (incl. GST). The deadline for registration is midnight, Feb. 8th.
February 16, 2010 Respiratory Disease: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention, 7:00 PM ET Webcast at your computer with Dr. Hal Schott, Michigan State University. For more information and to sign up for this free webcast go to http://myhorseuniversity.com/node/380
February 23, 2010 Beginning Wheat Growing for Small or Part-time Farmers at the Somerset County Extension Office 6-9 pm. Want to learn some strategies for growing grains and how to manage soil fertility, pest problems, harvest, storage and quality? University of Maine Cooperative Extension will be hosting a workshop for beginning grain growers on February 23 from 6-9 pm. Andrew Plant will be sharing successful strategies with interested grain growers. This workshop is free but registration is required. Please call 474-9622 or 1-800-287-1495 for more information or to register.
February 24, 2010 The Maine Highlands Farmers 7 pm 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. Meeting will be at the Penquis Higher Education Center, 50 Mayo St., Dover-Foxcroft.
February 26, 2010 Producing Quality Organic Small Grains at MOFGA Education Center in Unity. Focused on Disease management and grain cleaning, drying & storage. Sign up deadline for this program is Feb. 17th. Cost is $10 per person and includes lunch (checks payable to UMCE). Send name, address, phone & email to Phoebe Nylund, 5755 Nutting Hall, Room 105, Orono, ME 04469-5755.
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.
February 26, 2010 Producing Quality Organic Small Grains at MOFGA Education Center in Unity. Focused on Weed Management & Grain Seeding. Sign up deadline for this program is April 5th.Cost is $10 per person and includes lunch (checks payable to UMCE). Send name, address, phone & email to Phoebe Nylund, 5755 Nutting Hall, Room 105, Orono, ME 04469-5755.
February 28, 2010 Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Fair at the Beth El Synagogue, 183 French St., Bangor. Farms offering CSAs can set up a table with information on your farm and your CSA for the general public. The intent if for the community to learn about CSAs, become acquainted with local seasonal foods, buy a share in a farm's weekly harvest, and discover how they can grow a relationship with a Maine farm. One of twelve statewide organized by Melissa White Pillsbury, MOFGA marketing coordinator Melissa@mofga.org or 568-4142. www.mofga.org
March 17, 2010 Apple Preseason IPM Meeting at the Highmoor Farm 10 am to 3 pm.. Two recertification credits will be offered for attending the program. Lunch will be provided for $10. Everyone is welcome to attend. Speakers include Renae Moran, Bill MacHardy and Glen Koehler. For more information or to register for this program contact Higmoor Farm at 933-2100 or rmoran@umext.maine.edu
March 25 2010 Maine Vegetable & Fruit School at the Bangor Motor Inn 701 Hogan Rd., Bangor. Topics include: What's New with Mulches, Are You Smarter Than Your Weeds?, Pollinators and Pesticides, Getting Ready for Late Blight in 2010, 2010 Crop Insurance Update, Managing Phytophthora: What Works and What Doesn't, Are Blueberries Right for Your Farm?, Thirty Reasons to Switch to Deep Zone Tillage, What's New with Berry Varieties? Participants may receive 3.0 Pesticide Applicator re-certification credits.Certified Crop Advisors may earn 5.0 re-certification credits.
For more information about this workshop please contact:Mark Hutchinson, Extension Educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Knox-Lincoln Counties, 377 Manktown Road, Waldoboro, ME 04572-5815 or 207-832-0343 or 1-800-244-2104 (in Maine) or markh@umext.maine.edu
July 29 - 30, 2010 Kneading Conference & Artisan Bread Fair |
Contact Info
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
207-564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University System shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status or gender expression,national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, or veteran's status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University System. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
A member of the University of Maine System
Information in this newsletter is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned in this newsletter. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.
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