Farming News February 2010 Piscataquis & Penobscot Counties

This course will be offered in five evening meetings, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, starting Thursday March 3rd. Classes will be held in three locations: Penobscot County Extension Office in Bangor; Somerset County Extension Office in Skowhegan and TBA in Houlton.

Topics will include selecting and evaluating a farm enterprise, writing a business plan, recordkeeping, market research and much more. Instructors for the course include Donna Coffin, Kathy Hopkins and Andrew Plant, Extension Educators and guest speakers Dr. Jim McConnon, Extension Small Business Specialist, Lucia Brown, FSA and Felix Blinn, retired CPA.

Cost is $50 per farm with a limited number of partial scholarships available.

For more information contact Donna Coffin at 1-800-287-1491 , Kathy Hopkins at 1-800-287-1495 or Andrew Plant at 1-800-287-1469 (in Maine).

To pre-register contact Theresa Tilton at 207-942-7396 or 1-800-287-1485 or email Theresa.Tilton@maine.edu or go online at http://www.extension.maine.edu/penobscot. This program is sponsored by University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Farm Service Agency and Crop Insurance.

Maine Fruit and Vegetable Schools

The 2011 Maine Vegetable & Fruit School will be held on March 15 at Keeley's Banquet Center in Portland and on March 16 at the Bangor Motor Inn. Topics include:

· High Tunnel Tomato Grafting Research

· New Berry Pests

· AgrAbility: Overcoming Barriers to Farming

· Recognizing Nutrient Deficiencies: Lettuce

· 30 Reasons to Switch to Deep Zone Tillage

· Crop Insurance Update

· Using Compost to Meet the Nutrient Needs of Sweet Corn

· Managing Phytophthora: What Works and What Doesn't

· The High Tunnel Program: Where Are They Now?

· Vegetable Pest Management Review: What Do We Really Know?

More information and registration is available online or by calling 207-933-2100 . Please register by March 1st. The cost is $30.00 and includes lunch. We hope to see you there!

Also, copies of the 2010-2011 New England Vegetable Management Guide are available at Highmoor Farm. This is the same guide that was available last year - the next edition will be available in December, 2011. Cost of the guide is $20.00 plus $5.95 postage for a total of $25.95. To order a copy, please send your check made payable to "UMCE" mailed to the address below.

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 12, contact MVSFGA treasurer Bill Jordan at 207-799-1040.

Question of the Month

Are there any grants to help me farm? I get this question alot. There are a number of grant or cost share programs available to farmers from federal or state sources, each with very specific objectives. Grants fall into three general types:

Business planning, adding value & increasing farm viability
On-farm research and demonstration projects that may be production or marketing oriented
Farm energy conservation, alternative energy, environmental protection/conservation and waste management

Grants are never (rarely) available to start a farm and are not a reliable strategy for growing your business. Grants may enable you to expand a particular aspect of your business to make your operation more viable or provide funds to try a new practice on your farm.

It takes a significant amount of time and effort to write a winning proposal. Some grants may require cash or in-kind match.

There are a few grants that have been continuously offered through the years and there are other grant programs that become available for only a short period of time.

This newsletter tries to remind farmers of common grant/cost share programs that are available for farms, but it is impossible to keep up with all of them. Here is a short list that have been mentioned in the past.

Sustainable Agriculture Research Education - Farmer Grant SARE Farmer Grant
Maine Department of Agriculture - Farms for the Future - and other business grants and cost-share programs Maine Dept. of Ag
Natural Resource Conservation Service - Environmental Quality Incentive Program NRCS - EQIP
Maine Dept of Ag - Senior Farm Share - pre-season payment for $50 per eligible senior for fresh fruits and veggies during the season. Senior Farm Share application due Feb. 11th.

Promoting Your Farm and Farm Products on Television

At a recent Maine Highlands Farmers Meeting Paul Saliwanchik and Matt Morrison from WABI-TV5 discussed how farmers who market direct to consumers could utilize local television in getting their message out. Since the Maine Highlands Farmers has such a vibrant, informative web site www.mainehighlandsfarmers.com he suggested it would be wise to do short 15 second ads to drive potential customers to the website where they could get more information on what is currently available from the member farmers. Plus all the contact information, directions and hours of operation are also on the web site.

He also suggested that the group may want to consider putting a link on WABI TV5 website http://www.wabi.tv/. They get over 300,000 unique hits per quarter. Paul suggested the group could start with a small advertising schedule and measure the increased traffic to their website.

In addition to paid advertising farmers can consider sending news releases about current happenings on their farm that television stations could consider for news stories. It is important to include the who, what, when, where and why it is news worthy (the story hook or pitch.) He encouraged farmers to email stories to the news department and consider following it up with a phone call in the late morning.

This May they are considering doing a news story on the challenges and rewards of farming in Maine.

He cautioned the group that if there is a breaking news story, their farm news story could get delayed or canceled. Also, while weekly news releases to the station could be counter productive, several seasonal stories about events or other happenings on your farm could spark the interest of the news director.

As a reminder, the Maine Highlands Farmers provides a webpage with their farm membership. Check them out at Maine Highlands Farmers

Items of Interest:

Potato Abstracts & Presentations

Did you miss the recent potato meetings in Aroostook County? The presentations and the abstracts from the Maine Potato Conference and presentations from the Maine Potato Pest Management program are posted online at: Potato Program Scroll down to " Recent Programs" and click on the link of interest to you.

Updated Good Agriculture Practices Information

The Potato Program team at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension provides information on potato and rotation crop production. This page is for GAP or Good Agricultural Practices Information.

The latest update has been incorporated into the forms. These forms are downloadable and printable. They can be accessed from the web page: Potato Program or directly: Good Agriculture Practices

Two Beginning Farmer Online Courses Offered in March

The Northeast Beginning Farmer Project is offering more of its popular online courses, including one that will help you take your marketing to the next level. Register now for:

What Do I Need to Do to Start a Farm Business? (BF 103) - a 6-week course for new and aspiring farmers addressing the legal, regulatory, and tax implications of farming. If you've ever wondered "at what point will I be recognized as a farm?" this course is for you.

Intermediate Marketing for Farmers: Developing a Marketing Plan (BF 201) - is their first course that will take you beyond the basics of exploring marketing ideas to actually developing a formal marketing plan. Designed for people actively researching and planning farm start-up, or those who have a couple of years of farming already under their belts.

Online courses require a basic comfort level with a computer and access to a DSL, cable modem, or satellite Internet connection. All courses include real-time webinars as well as readings, discussion forums, and homework assignments on your own time. Courses cost $150. Learn more at our Web site or contact Erica Frenay, 607-255-9911 or by 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. University of Maine Cooperative Extension has established a web site with links to resources to help farmers and their families who are under stress at Helping Farmers Cope with Stress

Featured UMaine 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.

Production of Vegetables, Strawberries, and Cut Flowers Using Plasticullture.

Item #2183 Publisher: NRAES
Covers plastic mulch, drip irrigation, fertigation, season extension, windbreaks, crop establishment, weed management, soil sanitation, and managing used plastics. Strawberry and cut flower production systems are described in depth. For new/experienced growers, educators, serious gardeners. 156 pp., 2004. $24.00

Hatching Your Own Chicks Maine Poultry Facts series.

Item #2072 Publisher: UMaine Extension. This expanded and updated edition of our classic bulletin provides a thorough discussion of hatching chicks, from where to obtain eggs for hatching and how to store/care for them, to hatching chicks with a "broody" hen, hatching with an incubator, and troubleshooting hatching problems. Includes information on making an egg candler and candling eggs, as well as determining relative incubator humidity. 2009. Download it for free, or buy a printout. $1.00

UMaine Extension Tote Bag Item #9102. Two-toned (navy/black) University of Maine Cooperative Extension tote is made of sturdy, water-resistant 600D/PVC polyester material. Roomy bag has wide, gusseted base. 26" long, self-material shoulder straps are comfortably wide. $7.99

Upcoming Events

February 8th, 2011 Go Green to Get Green: Sustainable Landscapes and Beautiful Waters, Can We Have Both? for landscape professionals. 8 am to 4:15 pm at the Ramada Conference Center, 490 Pleasant St., Lewiston. Registration is $50 per person, $25 per student. Registration includes lunch and 6 pesticide recertification credits. To register call 207-780-4205 or in Maine 1-800-287-1471.
February 10th, 2011 Pork Quality Assurance Certification Class 10 am to noon, Maine Department of Agriculture, Deering Building, Augusta. Pre-registration required for this free program sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the National Pork Board. To register contact MOFGA at 568-4142 or email dianes@mofga.org
February 11th, 2011 Senior Farm Share Deadline applications for this program need to be in the Maine Department of Agriculture. For more information go to http://bit.ly/seniorfarmshare
February 15^th, 2011 Turning Today's Economic Challenges Into Opportunities... A Workshop to Help You Position Your Business for Success in the Future sponsored by the Maine Landscape and Nursery Association. Time: 10:30 am - 3:30 pm at Verrillo's Convention Center, 155 Riverside Street, Portland ME (207-775-6536). Program Fee: $30 MELNA members $40 nonmembers. Preregistration is required. Registration deadline: February 1, 2011. To register send Names of people you want to register; Name and address of your company; and check for total amount (see fees above) made payable to "MELNA". Mail these items to: Don Sproul, Executive Director, Maine Landscape and Nursery Association, PO Box 4666, Augusta, Maine 04330, E-mail: MngmtPlus@aol.com.
February 23rd, 2011 Maine Highlands Farmers 7 pm Speakers: Greg White and Aaron Hoshide from School of Business UMaine to talk about Internet Marketing and offer a hands-on demonstration of budgeting using the Excel spreadsheets at the Piscataquis County Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft. www.mainehighlandsfarmers.com
February 24^th, 2011 Transitioning to No-till Corn Silage Production from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Governor's Restaurant in Waterville.A workshop for silage corn growers featuring Joel Myers, Extension educators, and a representative from NRCS Programs. The workshop fee is $10/person, with lunch an additional $5. One pesticide credit and 3.5 CCA credits are available. Deadline to register is February 21. Register online or contact Sonia at 1-800-287-1426 or by email.
Feb. 24, 2011Fruit and Vegetable Market News Portal Training- How to Get the Most out of USDA's Market News Reports and Information. The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service invites you to participate in their free interactive webinar at 2 pm Eastern. Registration: The webinar is free. Registration is required. Deadline is Monday, Feb. 21, 2011. Register here.
Every business day, AMS Market News collects and reports detailed information about marketing conditions for hundreds of fruits, vegetables, ornamental crops and nut products at major domestic and international wholesale markets, production areas, and ports of entry. The Market News portal offers customized views and downloads of data from as far back as 1998 for wholesale or terminal markets, retail, shipping point prices, imports and domestic movements, and specialty crops. All of the reports and information are available at no cost to the industry and public.
Patty Willkie, officer-in-charge of the Idaho Falls Market News office, will lead the webinar. Ms. Willkie will introduce the Market News portal and provide practical tips to get the most out of the available information and reports. Following a formal presentation, webinar participants will have the opportunity to ask questions live.
March 2nd & 3rd, 2011 - Harvest New England Agriculture Marketing Conference and Trade Show - Sturbridge, MA. Pre-conference session on March 1st. NE Ag Marketing Info or call 860-713-2559.
March 3,10,24,31 & April 7 So You Want to Farm in Maine? 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm to be held at the Penobscot County Extension Office in Bangor. A farm business course for those already farming who would like to brush-up on their business skills or for those thinking about becoming farmers. Topics include selecting and evaluating a farm enterprise, writing a business plan, recordkeeping, market research and more. Cost is $50 per farm. For more information contact Theresa.Tilton@maine.edu or call 207-942-7396 or in Maine 1-800-287-1485.
March 7th, 2011 Piscataquis County Extension Executive Committee, 3 pm to 5 pm, Piscataquis County Extension Office. For more information call 207-564-3301 or email donna.coffin@maine.edu
March 16th, 2011 Maine Vegetable & Fruit School at the Bangor Motor Inn. More information and registration is available online or by calling 207-933-2100 . Cost is $30 and includes lunch. Please register by March 1st.
March 19th, 2011 Maine Grass Farmers Conference and Beef Conferences at Kennebec Valley College, Fairfield, ME. Featured Speakers include Jim Gerrish, Lauchlin Titus and Dave Kennard. In association with the Maine Beef Producers, Central Maine Technical College & UMaine Extension. For more information
March 23rd, 2011 Maine Highlands Farmers 7pm at the Piscataquis County Extension Office, Dover-Foxcroft. Donna Coffin, Extension Educator will show how you can participate in webinars and video chats. Also, how to determine credibility on the Internet. www.mainehighlandsfarmers.com
April 4th, 2011 Piscataquis County Extension Executive Committee, 3 pm to 5 pm, Piscataquis County Extension Office. For more information call 207-564-3301 or email donna.coffin@maine.edu
April 9th, 2011 Ohio Street Grange Farmers Market Annual Meeting & Planning for 2011 Market, 1 pm at the Ohio Street Grange in Bangor. For more information contact Rolf at 973-3976 or swederolf@aol.com
April 27th, 2011 Maine Highlands Farmers 7pm at the Piscataquis County Extension Office, Dover-Foxcroft. Terry Sideling, Farm vehicles, licensing, weight limits, off road fuel, etc. www.mainehighlandsfarmers.com
May 20, 21, & 22, 2011 Mark your calendars for the 5th annual Northeast Livestock Exposition (NELE) at the Windsor Fairgrounds! Check out our website at www.Northeastlivestockexpo.com and find us on Facebook for all the latest updates: "Northeast Livestock Exposition" and youth activities listed under "NELE Youth Events."

Need Pesticide credits? Check out the Maine Board of Pesticide credit calendar, many approved pesticide applicator recertification programs are listed. You can view the calendar on their web site at: Pesticide Recertification Credit Calendar

Contact Info
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator

207-564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491

donna.coffin@maine.edu

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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.

SURFACE MAIL RECIPIENTS CAN CONTACT THEIR COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION WHEN WEB LINKS ARE INCLUDED IN AN ARTICLE.

Piscataquis County Office 207-564-3301 or 800-287-1491

165 East Main Street Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426

Penobscot County Office 207-942-7396 or 800-287-1485

307 Maine Avenue Bangor, ME 04401