University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Piscataquis Farming Newsletter 

Volume 8 Number 3 March 2010
In This Issue
Census of Agriculture
What Do I Need to Sell Vegetables?
Private Pesticide Applicators License
National Ground Water Awareness Week
Roadside Signs Review for Farms
Online Information From Others
Featured Extension Publications
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.
Quick Links
 
Census of Agriculture
The Agriculture Statistics Service just released their detailed data on the organic farming information they collected in 2007.
It shows that Maine has 378 certified organic farms with 28,265 acres with total sales of $31 million. In Piscataquis County there were 13 organic farms with 801 acres with total sales of $400,000.
The data for all farms shows that Maine has 8,136 farms with 1.3 million acres that marketed over $610 million of agricultural products. 
The date for all farms in Piscataquis County shows 190 farms with 34,000 acres in farms that marketed $6.5 million of agriculture products. 
The primary organic production practices used on Maine organic farms included: use green or animal manures; produce or use organic mulch/compost; select planting locations to avoid pests; and chose pest resistant varieties. 
Other organic production methods included: practice biological pest management; maintain beneficial insect/vertibrate habitat; use water management practices and maintaine buffer strips.  
Source National Agricultural Statistics Service website:
 
What Do I Need to Sell Vegetables?
 
This time of year I start to get calls from folks thinking about growing vegetables to sell to their friends and neighbors or through a farm stand or farmers market.  Many folks wonder if they need any licenses or permits to sell their products.  The answer is... it depends.  It depends on a number of things - particularly where and how you intend to market your produce.
 
Generally you don't need any license to sell fresh fruits and vegetables, but if you are selling by the pound you need a sealed scale.  Your city or town can connect you with the person who certifies scales in your city or town, they can also let you know if you need any special permits to sell within your city or town. You can sell by the piece or box or bag without a sealed scale, but if you are selling by a volume measure (i.e. quart or bushel) then your container should hold at least that amount. 
 
The Maine Department of Agriculture has a couple of sites of interest to folks planning to sell agriculture produces.  this site lists a number of general licenses and certifications needed such as a nursery license to sell live plant material,  http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/qar/permits.html and this site has all the information needed to sell value-added food products, like jams, jellies, pickles, etc. http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/qar/food-regs.html.  They also maintain a listing of farmers who sell their products directly to the public.  This is a free listing and all you need to do is complete their input form at www.getrealmaine.com  
 
 If you are promoting your products as organic then you need to be certified as an organic producer. MOFGA is our certification organization in Maine (www.mofga.org.)   
 
A lot of information on selling direct to consumers is available at the Maine Federated Farmers Market Association web site located here. www.snakeroot.com/mffm  If you are looking for farmers markets to sell at this summer this site includes most of the farmers markets in Maine, their contact information and market rules.
 
Also, area farmers in the Maine Highlands Farmers group in addition to the web page with their individual farm information are planning a farm directory this summer.  They also are working with a photographer who will be coming to member's farms to take pictures for the directory and a photo book on farms of Piscataquis and Penobscot and area counties.  This group meets either at the Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft or at members farm the fourth Wednesday of every month.  Check them out at www.MaineHighlandsFarmers.com
 
Before you start a new farm enterprise it's a good idea to write a business plan on paper to help guide you through your business / farm enterprise development.  UMaine Extension has a number of publications that can help you develop your business plan.  Generally it gives you an opportunity to write down why you are getting into this business or farm venture, financial information including current and projected balance sheet and cash flow, production and marketing plans, equipment and labor needs. You can determine how much money you are planning to make on your venture, how much you need to plant and how much you need to market to make your projections.  You also will note who your customers will be, who your competition will be, where you will market you products, etc.
 
 
Private Pesticide Applicators License
Who needs one and how do you get it?  
A private license is necessary for anyone who wishes to purchase, apply or supervise application of a restricted or limited use pesticide with the intent of producing a commodity. These pesticides may be used only on property owned, leased or rented by the licensee or licensee's employer. Typical private license holders include farmers, greenhouse operators, florists, orchardists, Christmas tree growers and foresters.
To obtain a private license, the candidate must pass two written, closed book examinations. The first, called a Core Exam, covers general pesticide information. A second Commodity Exam measures knowledge of pest management practices for a given crop or crop family. Once exams are passed, the candidate is certified for three years and is eligible for a license. Licenses are obtained by submitting an application for private license and $15 to the BPC.
Private exams are offered through county offices of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMaine Extension). Applicants should call the BPC, telephone 207-287-2731, or e-mail gary.fish@maine.gov to confirm licensing needs and testing location. The BPC strongly urges use of self-help study materials available for purchase through UMaine Extension's Pest Management Office, 491 College Avenue, Orono, Maine 04473-1295; telephone 800-287-0279 or, outside Maine, 207-581-3880; or e-mail jdill@umext.maine.edu.  or online at  http://pmo.umext.maine.edu/patrain/prices.htm
Pesticide use is a rapidly changing technology. New products, application methods, safety standards and regulations are introduced every year. To update applicators regularly, the BPC requires six hours of approved continuing education training in order to renew the private license. The BPC assigns and records credit for attending courses offered by itself, UMCE, industry and trade organizations. Credit is also accepted for attending out-of-state sessions.
Source: Maine Board of Pesticides Control web site at http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pesticides/cert/questions.htm
National Ground Water Awareness Week
March 7 to 13
 
From time to time we have folks come into the Extension Office looking for water test kits to test their drinking water. Did you know that half of Maine's population gets it drinking water from private wells?  It is felt that very few of them are routinely tested.  By contrast, public water supplies are tested between monthly and every year, depending on the numbers of customers they serve. 
National Ground Water Awareness Week is a good time to consider retesting your private well. There are a multitude of tests that can be preformed on your water samples.  
An older well that has been tested in the past only needs the Basic test A for bacteria and nitrogen compounds that are the most common contaminants in drinking water and costs $28 from the Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory.  If present in amounts greater than safety standards, nitrate or nitrite presents a serious health risk to infants and bacteria may cause illness for both adults and children. 
Test BA is the most Common Test Requested for New Water Supplies and test for: COLIFORM BACTERIA, NITRATE AND NITRITE NITROGEN, FLUORIDE, CHLORIDE, HARDNESS, COPPER, IRON, PH and MANGANESE, URANIUM and ARSENIC.  This test costs $66. 
If you have any questions on how to request a test or complete the application or questions on your water test contact the HETL AT 287-1716. 
Source: Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory website: http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/etl/guide.htm
Roadside Signs Review for Farms
 
Categorical Signs may only be in place from May 1st to December 31st.  This is a problem with maple syrup producers.  Farms need to contact legislators about changing the law. These signs can't be put up if your farm is located on a numbered highway.   They are only directional. 
 
The signs must be at least 33 feet from center of road. Need to have permission for sign to be on private property.  The size is eight square feet and can have information on both sides.  They can't obstruct the view of the road.  Farms can put up on premises place signs within 1,000 feet of business.
 
The state only has one field inspector and supervisor to check on the signs.  Town ordinances supercede the Maine DOT signs. So some towns and cities may not allow certain signs.
 
Official Business Directional Signs (OBDS) are located on approaches to intersections where customers must turn to come to the business.  The municipality may restrict these signs.  A business can have a maximum of six signs (categorical and OBDS). Non-reflectorized signs can be home made using MDL plywood (12" X 40") and seal with paint. The fee is $75.  Three sizes for reflectorized signs are allowed.  They come in either blue or green and the fee is $250.  Annual permit fee of $15 each for non-reflectorized signs and $30 each for reflectorized signs.
 
Six to eight weeks before a sign can be put in from application date.   Farm needs to get town approval. After approval and permit, farm has sign made.  Deliver to DOT office to be put up in two weeks.  Light background with dark letters. 14 characters per line with two lines. 
 
DOT requires continuity so customers are able to follow signs to business. Posts with three signs need to be at least 200 feet away from each other and traffic signs.  All signs on a post must be the same size.  Now they can't mix non-reflectorized with reflectorized signs.  This may be changed in the future. 
If the annual bill for signs is not paid by March they will be taken down and farm must reapply.  Farm signs may be removed or covered when closed for the season. If the DOT snow plow knocks it over, DOT replaces post and sign.  If the sign is stolen let them know asap.
Source: The Maine Highlands Farm Products Promotion Group, February 2004 meeting notes with speaker, Robert Sinclair, Supervisor of Right of Way Control, Maine Department of Transportation, 16 State House Station, Augusta, ME   04333-0016. Phone 624-3611 or visit their web site at http://www.maine.gov/mdot/traffic-counts/obds.php?tloc=1&loc=9
 

 
Online Information From Other States and Universities
  • Cornell organic production guides for beans, carrots, cole crops, cucumber and squash, lettuce, peas, potatoes, apples, blueberries, grapes, and strawberries.  These are available at http://nysipm.cornell.edu/organic_guide/
  • Livestock and Poultry Environmental Stewardship factsheet the A,B, C's of Electric Livestock Fencing at http://www.extension.org/mediawiki/files/b/b8/10_Fencing.pdf
  • New Blog for Young Farmers called "_Freshman Farmer - New Organic Farms Set Roots_" features posts that document the lives of beginning organic farmers from New York to California. Many posts include specific, transparent information about crop plans, revenues, nuts and bolts of starting a CSA, and many other important tips. You'll also get a multi-media look at these bloggers farms through instructional videos and photo albums. The blog can be viewed at: http://www.freshmanfarmer.com/  
  • AgSquared: Free Software System for Small Farmers ia a new software system called "AgSquared" is the  first-ever enterprise software system made for small farmers. The system was launched this month by two Cornell graduates, Jeff Froikin Gordon and Giulia Stellari. "Record keeping has been an age old problem," says Gordon. "With sustainable practices, there's a lot more to think about. For a long time, if you had a problem, you could just spray better chemicals. Now you have to think about what you can do to make the soil stronger, or introduce beneficial insects." Beyond basic accounting of seeds in and fruits out, the computer system integrates U.S. soil data and weather mapping, and even makes analyses and recommendations based on best practices and eventually the collective wisdom of the community. Launched in beta this month, AgSquared, is paid for by sponsorships from fertilizer companies and the like, and is free to farmers. Learn more at: http://agsquared.com/
  • Guide to Funding and Grant Programs Available
    The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) has released a new tool that will help farmers with Federal Programs and grant opportunities.  NSAC is introducing an updated "quick-guide" to federal programs and grants for farmers, ranchers, food entrepreneurs, and the researchers, educators and community groups who serve them.  This chart is a one-stop shop for links to the relevant USDA program websites (where they exist), brief descriptions of programs, and important dates and deadlines. http://sustainableagriculture.net/publications/grassrootsguide/farm-bill-programs-and-grants/ 
Source: February Small Farms Update website: http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/pages/news   
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.
  • Maple Syrup Quality Control Manual Item #7038
    Publisher: UMaine Extension
    20-page maple syrup producers' manual presents production techniques to ensure high quality maple syrup and syrup products. Discusses equipment care and quality, cleanliness, the sap collection process, sap processing, and packing. Includes appendix with relevant Maine regulations. Sturdy laminated cover. 2002, with 2007 updates. Download it for free: Here PDF (for printing) http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/7038.pdf     or    / HTML (for browsing) http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/htmpubs/7038.htm Or Purchase from our Extension Office for $3.00.
  • Farming Alternatives: A Guide to Evaluating the Feasibility of New Farm-Based Enterprises Item #1036
    Publisher: NRAES
    This 88-page classic helps rural and farm residents evaluate the feasibility of alternative enterprises. The case study and workbook format helps in evaluating personal and family considerations, resources, market potential, production feasibility, profitability, cash flow, and all factors combined. Also offers research sources for enterprise ideas. 1988. Purchase from the Extension Office $8.00
 
Upcoming Events
 
March 15 & 16, 2010 New England Farm Energy Conference, Radission Conference Center, Manchester, NH. Concurrent workshop tracks, one geared toward Oilseed Production the other on Greenhouse Energy Efficiency & Conservation.  Registration $25 per person per day.  For more information call 802-524-6501 or heather.darby@uvm.edu or website http://www.uvm.edu/vtvegandberry/meetings/FarmEnergyConf3-10.html
 
March 17, 2010 Maine Innovation Marketplace for Farmers at 7 pm at the Piscataquis County Extension Office, 165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, sponsored by the Maine Highlands Farmers with Renee Kelley from the Maine Innovation Marketplace.  A new web site that helps link those needing goods and services with those who can provide goods and services.  The site also offers assistance to inventors to get their invention off the ground.  Come and learn about this new opportunity for farmers and other business people.  This is a free meeting and the Maine Highlands Farmers will have their regular business meeting after Renee's presentation.  All are welcome to attend. For more information contact Donna Coffin at 564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491 or dcoffin@umext.maine.edu
 
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 20th Bangor Grange will host a Farm Fair from 12:00 to 5:30 with about 10 local farmers showing and talking about their local products. A baked ham and bean dinner will follow at 5:30 PM and the Beech Boys and Girls Hillbilly Band and Cloggers perform at 7:00 PM. Contact Rolf at 973-3976 or Brenda at 356-1172 for more information. Bangor Grange Hall is located on Ohio Street in Bangor. Please note they are continuing to look for interested farmers to participate. If you have value added products to sell this would be a good venue.  Also, farms close to Bangor may be able to sign up some CSA customers. If you are interested in participating please cal either Rolf or Brenda.
 
March 20, 2010 Sheep Shearing School in Windham. Cost is $30. Contact the Cumberland County Extension Office to register at 780-4205 or Colleen Hoyt choyt@umext.maine.edu.   Registrations can be taken over the phone using a credit card during regular office hours.
 
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
 
March 26, 2010 Turning Today's Economic Challenges Into Opportunities from 9 am to 4:45 pm. To educate landscape and nursery professionals about how to survive today and plan for tomorrow, Jim McConnon and Lois Stack have worked with Maine Landscape and Nursery Association, New England Grows, Crop Insurance Education Program and Maine Small Business Development Centers, to develop this program that will be held at the Abromson Center, USM, Portland. Cost is $25 for MeLNA members and $35 for nonmembers.  Contact Don Sproul to register at P.O. Box 4666, Augusta, ME 04330 or email MngmtPlus@aol.com
 
March 27, 2010 Mid-Maine Greenhouse Growers Association hosting an Integrated Pest Management Workshop from 1 pm to 3 pm at Everlasting Farms Greenhouses, 2140 Essex Street, Bangor. Need pesticide applicator credits?   Come share your ideas and learn from other growers.  What tried and true methods are working for preventing and managing insects and plant diseases?  Curious about 'plant-mediated IPM tools'?  Come to learn what new pest control methods others are trying.   Approved for 2 pesticide credits. For more information contact Jim Dill at 581-3879 or jdill@umext.maine.edu 
 
March 27th, 2010 Veterinarian Matt Townsend is the featured speaker at the Maine Alpaca Association's meeting, at 11:30 a.m. at the Great Wall Buffet in Augusta.  He'll be discussing relevant new information from a recent veterinary conference.  If you are a lover of -- or companion to -- large animals, then you are probably already aware that Maine suffers a serious shortage of large animal vets.  This makes the opportunity to learn from folks like Dr. Townsend especially valuable!  Learn more about the MAA and this session at www.mainealpacafarms.com 

April 2, 2010 Tomato Grafting Workshop at Highmoor Farm, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. 
In this hands-on workshop David Colson of New Leaf Farm in Durham and Mark Hutton, University of Maine Cooperative Extension Vegetable Specialist, will describe the benefits and drawbacks of using grafted tomatoes in commercial hoop house production.  Workshop participants will have the opportunity to make up to 30 grafted tomato plants for their farm.  The grafted plants will be grown at Highmoor Farm and be available for transplanting approximately the first week of May, 2010.
Pre-registration is required to attend the Tomato Grafting Workshop.  The cost is $30.00 per person to cover supplies.  Please register by March 25, 2010.  Registration limited to 30. Call 933-2100 or go online http://extension.umaine.edu/highmoor/blog/2010/02/18/tomato-grafting-workshop/ 
 
April 3, 2010 Livestock Workshop from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm at the Pittsfield Town Office in the Council Chambers.  The address is 112 Somerset Ave., Pittsfield. Use the parking lot entrance behind the Town Office and proceed downstairs to the Council Chambers. Come learn how to care for goats, sheep, horses, and cattle in a one day workshop hosted by the UMaine Cooperative Extension Piscataquis, Somerset, and Waldo Counties.  The class will be broken into 3 sections: Dairy and Beef Cattle, Horses, and Sheep and Goats.  Presenters will be Rick Kersbergen, Waldo County Extension Educator, Donna Coffin, Piscataquis County Extension Educator, and Dr. Anne Lichtenwalner, Extension Veterinarian. You can choose to come for the whole day or for just one section.  Each section will be 2� hours and cost $10 or you can come for the whole day for $20.  Topics to be covered include: basic care, feeding (conventional and organic), shelter and management.  Current livestock owners or homeowners who are thinking about purchasing livestock are encouraged to attend. To register for this event please call Hannah Todd at the Somerset County Extension Office at 474-9622 or toll free in Maine at 1-800-287-1495. 
 
April 10,2010 Sheep Shearing in Littleton. Cost is $30. Contact the Cumberland County Extension Office to register at 780-4205 or to Colleen Hoyt choyt@umext.maine.edu .  Registrations can be taken over the phone using a credit card during regular office hours.
 
April 17, 2010 Fruit Tree Pruning 10 am to noon at Olmsted's Orchard on Route 15 in Charleston.  Information on fruit tree care, pests and hands-on pruning opportunity. Contact Hannah Todd htodd@umext.maine.edu or 207-564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491 for more information.  This is a free program no registration necessary.
 
April 28, 2010 A round table discussion about the issues that need to be addressed in selling milk and milk products from your farm at 7 pm at the Piscataquis County Extension Office, 165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft. Dr. Gary Anderson and Dr. Beth Calder from the UMaine Extension will be leading the discussion.  This program is sponsored by the Maine Highlands Farmers. Come and learn about selling your milk and milk products.  This is a free meeting and the Maine Highlands Farmers will have their regular business meeting after the discussion.  All are welcome to attend. For more information contact Donna Coffin at 564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491 or dcoffin@umext.maine.edu
 
May 26, 2010 Maine Agriculture Commissioner, Seth Bradstreet will discuss how farmers can better utilize the Maine Department of Agriculture at Maple Leaf Farm, Charleston.  We will also have a tour of the farms new smoker facility.  This program is sponsored by the Maine Highlands Farmers. Come and learn about selling your milk and milk products.  This is a free meeting and the Maine Highlands Farmers will have their regular business meeting after the discussion and tour.  All are welcome to attend. For more information contact Donna Coffin at 564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491 or dcoffin@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
dcoffin@umext.maine.edu
 
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