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Putting knowledge to work with the people of Maine
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Piscataquis & Penobscot
Farming Newsletter
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Volume 10 Number 5
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May 2012
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| Goal
The goal of the Piscataquis & Penobscot Farming Newsletter is to provide timely information on the production and marketing of crops and livestock grown in central Maine. Upcoming events and programs of interest will also be included. |
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. |
Local Weather Anytime
Many farming activities are driven by the weather. Our local National Weather Service in Caribou has meteorologists on staff 24 hours a day. They are willing to talk with you about rain predictions for your town. Give them a call at 492-0180. Or check out their online detailed maps at Weather |
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Quick Links
Find Piscataquis County on Facebook
Find Penobscot County on Facebook
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| Need Hay? Got Hay or silage to sell? Maine Hay Directory
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Underlined
Please note that underlined words and phrases link to webpages with more information. If you are unable to access these pages contact your local Extension Office for assistance.
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Limiting Agri-tourism Liability
This current legislature passed a bill (LD 16055) to limit the liability for farmers engaging in agri-tourism activities such as farming, harvest-your-own activities, or other attractions related to farming provided participants are informed about the inherent risks of these activities on a farm. See the full text of the bill here. For purposes of this law, a notice of the inherent risks of agritourism activities may be satisfied either by a statement signed by the participant or a sign or signs prominently displayed at the place or places where the agritourism activities take place. The statement or sign must contain the following information.
"WARNING
Under Maine law, there is no liability for injury to a participant in an agritourism activity conducted at this agritourism location if such injury results from the inherent risks of the agritourism activity. Inherent risks of agritourism activities include, among others, risks of injury inherent to land, equipment and animals, as well as the potential for injury if you act in a negligent manner. You are assuming the risk of participating in this agritourism activity."
The message on the sign must be in black letters at least one inch in height and the sign or signs must be placed in a clearly visible location on or near the places where the agritourism professional conducts agritourism activities.
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Operation MarketQuest
This guide and the corresponding material toolkit A Marketing Guide and Toolkit for Maine Farmers' Markets Accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer was developed by the Downeast Business Alliance with funding from a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant.
This guide and the corresponding material toolkit are designed to help you, the Market Manager or Market Vendor accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer for recipients of SNAP, Market to this unique but large demographic of Maine residents and produce purchasers. Provided are many lists of suggestions, ideas and planning help, as well as a CD with resources from many organizations which have sections relevant to all Farmers' Markets accepting EBT for SNAP recipients. Also included on the CD are graphic templates for a variety of common print materials which you can customize for use in your own Market. The goal of this project is to raise awareness state-wide about the increasing numbers of Markets accepting EBT, and to provide a consistent, easy-to-recognize "brand" for Markets to use. This uniformity will help EBT users know where to go for fresh, healthy, local food that they can purchase with their benefits.To request the CD contact: Sarah Joy Chaples, Down East Business Alliance, PO Box 299, 248 Bucksport Road, Ellsworth, ME 04605 phone 207-610-5942. |
Survey of Educational Needs of Equine Enthusiasts
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the University of Maine Department of Animal and Veterinary Science are looking for ways to improve educational programming in Maine that will support the equine industry. An EQUINE SURVEY has been developed to identify the health concerns of horse, pony and other equine owners as well as the extent of the equine industry and where educational information is needed for those involved in the equine industry.
Those interested in completing the survey can go to http://conta.cc/equinesurvey , or contact Donna Coffin at 165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426, phone 207-564-3301 or email donna.coffin@maine.edu and ask for a survey to be mailed to them.
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Preconditioned Feeder Calf Sale
The Maine Beef Producers Association (MBPA) is sponsoring a preconditioned feeder calf sale at the Northeast Livestock Expo on Saturday, May 19th at 11 am at the Windsor Fair Grounds, just off Route 32 in Windsor www.northeastlivestockexpo.com . Cow Calf producers have taken the time to precondition their calves for this sale. Preconditioning reduces the incidence of respiratory disease, enteritis and pinkeye by increasing the immunity of the calf in preparation of the stress of weaning and shipping. Dehornings and castrations are healed. Some cow calf producers consigning animals to the sale have also signed affidavits attesting that their animals have been raised under the MBPA Natural Meats program protocol of never having received hormones, antibiotics, or feeds or feed supplements containing animal-by-products. And/or their animals are 100% grass (forage) fed, no grains, grain-by-products, grain crops, grain crop silages, or other prohibited feeds under the USDA grass fed guidelines have been fed. The MBPA are expecting about 100 calves weighing from 400 to 900 pounds to be sold at the May 19th sale at 11 am. If you are interested in buying a few or a lot of animals or have questions contact Sale Manager, Pete Dusoe at 207-948-3233, 207-416-5441 or pbdusoe@uninets.net or Bob Dusoe at 207-322-5609.
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Photovoltaic Greenhouse Survey Request
Who we are: MaineAsia (www.maineasia.com) is a consulting firm based out of Portland, ME. We have received a grant to do research of a very promising new technology that will make greenhouse growing more affordable to growers.
The problem we're addressing: It is difficult for Maine growers to successfully grow year-round due to the inherent challenges of low light and high-energy costs (Maine has the 12th highest electricity costs in the nation). The cost of greenhouses, heat and supplemental lighting needed for year round growing have kept many small and medium-sized growers from entering the market. Until recently, there has been experimentation with solar technology mounted on top of greenhouses but traditional mono silicon and poly silicon technologies have not been successful. Our project integrated PV greenhouse solution will address these problems by providing a more cost effective alternative.
Our solution: The Photovoltaic Greenhouse is a new type of power generation system that integrates a proprietary semi-transparent thin-film photovoltaic technology into the construction of a glass greenhouse system. The result is a dual use electricity-generating greenhouse that makes use of the land below the solar panels for indoor growing, while also generating electricity into the grid at utility scale. The solar panels are made of an amorphous silicon composition whose properties have been long known as a stable material able to generate electricity in low light situations with less regard to the angle of inclination of the sun. Our thin film has been optically engineered to convert ultraviolet, blue, and green light into electricity while allowing infrared and red light to pass through in quantities designed specifically to promote photosynthesis and optimal greenhouse effect for a given environment. The result is a warmer greenhouse in winter, a cooler greenhouse in summer, and a valuable source of energy income that can also be used to provide supplemental light during low light months, or to cover capital costs.
What we ask from you: We are seeking knowledgeable leaders in the agricultural and greenhouse industry to help us to understand the market potential, to provide feedback on the technical and economic model of the greenhouse and to provide feedback into various design elements that are being planned. There are two ways to help:
- Complete our survey and be entered to win a cash drawing https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MaineAsia
- Participate in a focus group and be compensated for your time
More information: For more information please contact:
Amy Power
apower@maineasia.com
207-522-3934
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New National NRCS Nutrient Management Standard
NRCS announced the release of a new national NRCS Nutrient Management 590 standard and policy. Nationally there has been a lot of interest surrounding this revision. Individual states have until Jan. 1, 2013 (one year from now) to come into alignment with the changes. This will include the development and approval of a Phosphorous Index for Maine. There is some work to be done. Until we reach that point, we will function under our existing standard. The paragraphs below give a brief summary of the high points/changes. Below that is a link to the NRCS webpage where more info and the revised national standard can be found.
What are the major changes to the revised standard?
- The revised national standard incorporates the latest science and includes existing and emerging technologies such as precision agriculture, remote sensing, adaptive nutrient management and enhanced efficiency fertilizer products such as inhibitors, slow release fertilizers and nitrogen and phosphorus enhancement products. It establishes the conditions when nitrogen and phosphorus risk assessments are required.
- Like the 2006 national nutrient management standard, the revised standard precludes that nutrients should not be applied to frozen or snow covered ground or saturated soil. Exceptions can be granted when local water quality officials specify low risk conditions.
- Wind and water erosion must be controlled to soil loss tolerance ("T"), but exceptions can be granted when achieving "T" is not feasible and mitigating conservation practices are installed to reduce erosion and protect water quality.
- The new standard emphasizes the importance of coordinating conservation practices designed to avoid, control and trap nutrients before they leave farm fields. The standard reinforces the 4Rs approach-right amount, right source, right placement and right timing. That means nitrogen and phosphorus must be applied in the right amount, from the right source, in the right place, and at the right time to minimize the risk of nutrient losses to water bodies.
Source: Alice Begin, NRCS Resource Conservationist, Bangor, ME 207-990-9568 alice.begin@me.usda.nrcs.gov
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Items of Interest
- On-Farm Poultry Processing for Small Flocks in Maine. There are several factors that can present a challenge for small and medium-sized flock owners interested in marketing poultry meat in Maine. Recent changes to State of Maine poultry processing regulations have made on-farm processing more attainable and affordable, especially for producers raising flocks under 1,000 birds. For a free copy of an article outlining on-farm processing in Maine, contact Tori Jackson of University of Maine Cooperative Extension at 1-800-287-1458 or tori.jackson@maine.edu.
- National Swine Nutrition Guide a practical publication containing nutrient recommendations and feeding guidelines. The guide consists of nutrition factsheets and diet formulation and evaluation software. The guide was written as a collaboration between university swine nutritionists and swine industry specialists. The factsheets are available for free at the above site.
- Hiring Individuals on Your Farm As a farm or land-based business, are there jobs and tasks (occasional or routine) on your operation that could be
accomplished by a person with cognitive or physical disabilities?
Would you consider exploring the possibility of hiring an adult with a disability on a part-time or seasonal basis? To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Maine AgrAbility, an outreach of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension at 207-944-1533. - Instructional Bulletin #27 "Sales of Prepared Food" information on state sales tax on prepared foods was amended on March 26, 2012 and can be viewed at the following link:
http://www.maine.gov/revenue/salesuse/salestax/bulletinssales.htm - Aroostook County beef, sheep, goat & pork pick up route is being considered by Maple Lane Meat Processing facility. If you are interested contact Barry Higgins at 866-279-9775 or maplelanefarms@yahoo.com or their website at maplelanefarmsmaine.com
- Farming for Bees: Guidelines for Providing Native Bee Habitat on Farms is available for purchase or free to download on the web at: http://www.xerces.org/guidelines-farming-for-bees/.
- Hermon Farmers' Market manager is looking for two or three new vendors. They are looking for a cheese vendor, beef/pork, general veggies. We are a producer only market but have no prejudice about organic/conventional. Additional farm products (soaps, fiber, etc) are great too. Market is Thursday afternoons, 2 to 6. Season is June 14 thru the end of September at least.
For more information contact: Mary L Hoskins, Greencare Plantscapes, 1779 Hammond St, Hermon, ME 04401 phone 207-848-5453, www.greencareplants.comor email greenc@gwi.net - Dover Cove Farmers' Market Starts Saturday, May 19th (9 am to 1 pm) at the A.E. Robinson at the corner of the Dexter Road (Rt. 7) and Pine St. in Dover-Foxcroft. They have started a Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/DoverCoveFarmersMarket
- For other farmers' markets throughout the state you can go to Maine Federated Farmers Markets, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association or Get Real Maine.
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Webinars - Watch at your home computer or local library
- Direct Markets: Pricing for Profit (archive) Learn how to set the "right" price for your products. We'll explore practical approaches to cost-based pricing, and learn how to integrate market information -- what your competitors are charging -- and your own profit goals in your pricing decisions. Participants will learn how to use the new, online Vermont Direct Price Reporting tool to get a snapshot of market conditions, and growers will share their approaches to integrating production costs, market information and farm goals into their pricing strategies. Through the UVM Extension Vermont Direct Market Price Project.
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Featured UMaine Extension Publications / Store
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.
- 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.
- Why Consumers Buy---and Dont Buy---Your Farm Direct Products Item #1160, Publisher: UMaine Extension, Donna Lamb (Coffin), Hsiang-Tai Cheng, and Lili Dang. University of Maine researchers surveyed consumers in the Maine Highlands region to assess marketing opportunities and barriers for local farmers. The findings from this watershed survey are presented and analyzed in this 12-page publication. Twenty-two charts provide visual enhancement of data such as how rural and urban consumers find out about farm direct outlets, how far they are willing to travel, seasonal spending trends, and product preferences. Identifies customer complaints about types of outlets and highlights opportunities for farmers who want to increase their farm direct business. Includes video for online viewing. 12 pages. 2005. Download it for free or buy a printout. $2.00.
- Swine Production Manual Item #2185, Publisher: UMinnesota Extension. 34-page book discusses swine program; animal selection; boar and gilt selection; feeding and caring; swine health; boar, gilt and sow management; baby pig management; fitting and showing; housing and equipment; and end products. 1992. $2.50
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Upcoming Events
- May 18, 19 & 20, 2012 Northeast Livestock Expo. at the Winsor Fair Grounds. Marketing, selling, and educational opportunities to local livestock producers and educate the public on the connection between local farms and their products. Species planning activities includes beef, horse, sheep, rabbit, alpaca and goat. For more information contact Jess Strout, 207-399-9268, jess.strout@gmail.com or http://www.northeastlivestockexpo.com/
- May 18th, 2012 Calves weighed and tagged at Winsor Fair Grounds for preconditioned feeder calf sale 9 am to 5 pm. at NELE.
- May 19th, 2012 Preconditioned Feeder Calf Sale 11 am at NELE, Winsor Fair Grounds at NELE.
- May 23rd, 2012 Maine Highlands Farmers Meeting. Aaron Hoshide, UMaine Technology Transfer Alliance will show his Excel spreadsheet for Beef Budgeting. Bring your laptop and see how you can estimate your costs and returns. Maine Highlands Farmers regular business meeting to follow. All interested farmers are welcome to this free meeting that starts at 7 pm at the Piscataquis County Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft. FMI www.mainehighlandsfarmers.com
- May 21st & 28th, 2012 - Sheep & Goat Foot Health Webinar Series. 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. both evenings. Discussion on foot rot in sheep and goats. Speakers are University of Maryland Extension small ruminant specialist Susan Schoenian and University of Maine Extension educator Richard Brzozowski. The webinar series is designed for Maine sheep and goat producers to identify, treat and eliminate foot problems in their flocks or herds. Registration required. For more information, please call UMaine Extension at 207-781-6099 or email richard.brzozowski@maine.edu.
- June 1st NRCS begins its third 2012 ranking period for applications for technical and financial assistance for on-farm energy, organic, and seasonal high tunnel conservation initiatives. Click here for more information or go to your local NRCS office.
- June 2nd, 2012 Maple Sugar Bush Management 9 am to 3 pm at Steven & Diana Hobart's Breakneck Ridge Farm in Blanchard. Topics of discussion are NRCS financial and technical assistance programs and Best Management Practices related to the sugar bush. Agri-tourism and how to promote maple products, equipment needed to process large quantities of sap. Also a walking tour of the Hobart's sugar bush with a discussion on silviculture and Best Management Practices. Sponsored by Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District with additional partners: University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Central Small Woodlot Owners Association and Leader Evaporator. This workshop is free but pre-registration is required. For more information and to register go to www.piscataquisswcd.org, info@piscataquisswcd.org or call 564-2321.
- June 5th, 2012 Vegetable & Strawberry Growers Twilight 5:30 pm at Stutzman's Farm in Sangerville. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association will hold a growers meeting at Stutzman's Farm in Sangerville on Tuesday, June 5th at 5:30 p.m. Sid and Rainie have operated the farm for nearly 30 years and produce a wide range of vegetables and fruit for their stand and CSA. Sustainable practices have been an important part of their production strategy, and we'll have an opportunity to see some of the work they have been doing with zone tillage, as well as new high tunnels, and their stand and bakery. We will have an opportunity to discuss the strawberry season and pest situation and have an update on GAP certifications and new regulations. We anticipate one pesticide applicator re-certification credit will be available for attending the meeting. Please join us! Stutzman's Farm is located at 891 Douty Hill Road in Sangerville. You can visit their website at: http://www.mainehighlandsfarmers.com/StutzmansFarm.html.
- June 5th, 2012 Sanitation Workshop for those planning to produce a value added food product. 8 am to 5 pm in Room 203, Hitchner Hall at UMaine in Orono. Registration is $60 and includes a notebook and lunch. For more information, to register or to request special accommodations, contact Theresa Tilton at (207) 942-7396 or (800) 287-1485 in Maine or email Theresa.Tilton@maine.edu. Registations can also be done online through the Extension Website http://umaine.edu/food-health/food-safety/sanitation-and-haccp-workshops/.
- June 16th, 2012 Farm and Homestead Day 9 am to 3 pm at MOFGA in Unity. Free event with donations accepted. There are a number of tracks for the day including: low impact forestry, wool, building, poultry, cooking, scythe, ID walks, and gardening. Some workshops may have fees for supplies. For more information.
- June 19th & 20th, 2012 Meat & Poultry HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) workshop for those processing livestock and livestock products. 8 am to 5 pm each day at 203 Hitchner Hall, UMaine in Orono. Registration is $130 and includes the sanitation workshop, notebook and lunches. For more information, to register or to request special accommodations, contact Theresa Tilton at (207) 942-7396 or (800) 287-1485 in Maine or email Theresa.Tilton@maine.edu. Registations can also be done online through the Extension Website http://umaine.edu/food-health/food-safety/sanitation-and-haccp-workshops/.
- June 23rd, 2012 Road and Stream Crossing Workshop 9 am to 3:30 pm at the American Legion Post 92, 75 Railroad Ave., Brownville Jct. Talks by NRCS District Conservationist on programs related to road and stream crossings, NRCS Fisheries Biologist, Forest Service Water Resources Forester. The group will move to demonstration sites in Williamsburg to see a recently installed bridge and learn about Best Management Practices for Road and Stream Crossings. Sponsored by Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District with additional partners: University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Central Small Woodlot Owners Association and Leader Evaporator. This workshop is free but pre-registration is required. For more information and to register go to www.piscataquisswcd.org, info@piscataquisswcd.org or call 564-2321.
- June 23th, 2012 Growing Fruit Trees Organically at MOFGA in Unity. Fee is $30. C.J. Walke, MOFGA's Organic Orchardist, discusses organic orcharding methods and explains how he manages the orchards at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center. The workshop will start with an inside presentation focusing on OMRI-approved material inputs, establishing tree health and common fruit tree insects and diseases, followed by a walk through MOFGA's orchards to see these things in action. Please bring a bag lunch, course will run from 10-2 pm. Pre-registration requested.
- June 27th, 2012 Maine Highlands Farmers Meeting Donna Coffin will lead a Weed ID Walk at the Stutzman's Farm on Douty Hill Rd., in Sangerville. 2 hours of pesticide recertification credits available to private pesticide applicators. Walk starts at 7 pm a short Maine Highlands Farmers Meeting will follow. All interested farmers are welcome to attend this free meeting. FMI www.mainehighlandsfarmers.com
- July 25th, 2012 UMaine Sustainable Agriculture Field Day at Rogers Farm, University of Maine. The focus will be on pest management. For more information.
- July 26th to 28th, 2012 The Kneading Conference, Skowhegan.
- December 1, 2012 Beef Conference in the Bangor area. Focus will be on marketing. Stay tuned for more information.
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
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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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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 |
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