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Piscataquis & Penobscot Farming Newsletter
Putting knowledge to work for the people of Maine
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Volume 11 Number 2
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February 2013
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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.
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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 |
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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 So You Want to Farm in Maine Free Webinar
So You Want to Farm in Maine is a farm business course for those people who want to start a profitable farm or expand their farm hobby to a profitable business. This course will be offered in eight evening webinars, from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, starting Thursday, March 7th. Classes will be held on the Internet live and with an archived version that will be available shortly after the live session. Topics will include selecting and evaluating a farm enterprise, writing a business plan, recordkeeping, market research and much more. Cost of the webinar is free. Course texts can be purchased from the UMaine Extension Publications Store.
For more information go to http://bit.ly/FARMME. To pre-register go to http://bit.ly/SYWTFIM For more information or to request a disability accommodation, call 564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491. |
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 Recipe to Market: Ca$hing in on Value-Added Opportunities
March 21st, 2013 A 5-part workshop series for developing and taking your specialty food product to market. Runs Thursday's through April. Location: Foster Student Innovation Center ( http://foster.target.maine.edu/), Long Road, University of Maine Campus. Orono, ME Time: 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Cost: $50.00 ($25.00 for students; Scholarships available) Contact: Theresa Tilton at theresa.tilton@maine.edu Phone: (207) 942-7396 or 800-287-1485 (in Maine) |
 Managed Grazings Effect on Soil Quality and Structure
A long-term southern Wisconsin cropping systems study shows that soils under managed grazing have a number of positive characteristics compared to soils under other cropping systems.
Begun in 1989 with support from the USDA Agricultural Research Service, the Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Trial (WICST) provides data on three cash grain cropping systems and three forage systems on field-scale plots in Columbia County at the UW-Madison Arlington Agricultural Research Station. Researchers Joshua Posner and Janet Hedtcke of the UW-Madison Department of Agronomy analyzed and compared data from these well-established plots that differ in crop rotation complexity and use of purchased inputs.
In the WICST managed grazing plots, heifers with a starting weight of about 500 pounds were grazed from May to October after being acclimated to pasture for a few weeks each spring. The pastures, seeded in 1992, included red clover, smooth bromegrass, timothy and orchardgrass, with biennial overseeding of red clover and 40 lbs N/a/yr as commercial fertilizer applied in June or August, depending on forage availability.
To compare soil quality under the six systems, Posner and Hedtcke modeled and measured a suite of soil properties. They found some interesting differences between the systems in terms of erosion potential, earthworm counts, water stable aggregates, soil carbon, and the Soil Quality Index.
Click on the link below to access the research brief of this project.
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Second Signup Period for the On-Farm Energy Initiative
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Juan Hernandez has announced a second signup period for the On-Farm Energy Initiative, funded through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Potential applicants should contact their local NRCS office soon to find out if they are eligible for this Initiative. Applications for the second ranking period of 2013 are due at the NRCS offices by close of business on March 15, 2013. This Initiative offers technical and financial assistance.
Through the On-Farm Energy Initiative, NRCS and producers develop Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP), or farm energy audits, that assess energy consumption on an operation. There are two separate AgEMP options: (1) for a landscape component, that assesses equipment and farming processes, and (2) a farm headquarters component, that assesses power usage and efficiencies in livestock buildings, maple syrup operations, and similar facilities to support the farm operation. For more information go to www.me.nrcs.usda.gov or contact your nearest USDA Service Center, listed online at http://offices.usda.gov or in the telephone
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Be Counted!
The USDA Census of Agriculture is conducted every five years by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to make a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches and those who operate them.
The Census tells the story of U.S. agriculture; that 3 million farmers in the United States, only one percent of our total population, provide feed, fuel, and fiber for the other 99 percent. Your answers to the Census help shape farm programs and boost services for you, your community and your industry.
Census forms will be mailed out in late December. Responses are due soon. Producers also have the option to complete their forms online. If you did not receive a form please contact the Ag Census and they will mail one to you.
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Beginning Women Farmers Classes
This series of classes is sponsored by the Maine Women's Agricultural Network, and funded by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The Beginning Women Farmers program draws on the work of Allen Savory and others, and is designed to help women farmers to be successful. This innovative program instructs participants on using a holistic approach to decision making on their farms.
Participants will meet for ten sessions on topics such as goal setting, financial, business, and marketing planning, land and infrastructure planning, soil fertility, and planned grazing. Participants are provided with a mentor and are connected with a network of other beginning women farmers throughout the Northeast for additional support.
Two of the classes take place on local farms. Classes will be held in Fairfield, Maine, on Sundays from 9 am - 4 pm. Cost for all sessions is $300.00. Scholarships are available.
Class Subjects and Dates:
- March 3, 2013 Leadership and Communication
- April 7, 2013 Land Planning
- May 5, 2013 Soil Fertility
- June 2, 2013 Grazing Planning
For more information, and to request an application, contact: Gail Chase gchase@kvcog.org (207) 453-4258 ext. 218
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Webinars of Interest
- FREE Beef Quality Assurance Webinar (until March 15, 2013) The Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University is able to offer free BQA certification thanks to a generous offer from Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. For one month beef producers can take advantage of this opportunity. For more information and to sign up for the training go to
- Tennessee Value-Added Beef Webinar Series - These webinars are designed to help TN beef producers interested in marketing live animals for custom harvest or beef cuts directly to consumers understand the risks and gain information and skills to effectively manage this type of operation. Held the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month from October 2012 to March 2013 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (CST) and 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. (EST). To receive a link by email to join each webinar, send an email to cpa@utk.edu and include the following information: name, county, state, email address. All sessions are being archived and can be viewed at https://ag.tennessee.edu/cpa/Pages/VA%20Beef.aspx
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Items of Interest
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Get listed in the Maine Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Directory!
If you have a CSA and are not yet in MOFGA's CSA directory, you are missing out on a valuable (FREE) way to advertise. Here's what you should do:
1. Register an account on mofga.net and put in your farm's CSA info: http://mofga.net/signup910. If you need help navigating the process, send an email to admin@mofga.net.
2. Send an email to melissa@mofga.org noting that you've done the above, and Melissa will go in and add your farm to the directory. -
Farm to School Meeting
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host a Farm to School meeting Thursday, May 9th, 2013 at the Penobscot County Extension Office, Bangor, ME at 7pm. At this free event growers, school food service directors, and the general public will learn about school lunch requirements, acquire strategies for building a successful procurement relationship, and network for the 2013 season. A guest farmer, food service director, and Maine State Child Nutrition Services employee will be on hand to share their experiences with Farm to School and answer questions. For more information and to RSVP please email FoodCorps Service Member Zoe Hastings (zoe.hastings@foodcorps.org). - FSA Micro Farm Loan Program This program was developed to serve the unique financial operating needs of beginning, niche and the smallest of family farm operations by modifying its Operating Loan (OL) application, eligibility and security requirements. The program offers more flexible access to credit and will serve as an attractive loan alternative for smaller farming operations like specialty crop producers and operators of community supported agriculture (CSA.) Eligible applicants may obtain a microloan for up to $35,000 with repayment not to exceed seven years. Interest rate is based on the OL rates at the time of the loan approval. FMI go to FSA Microloan Factsheet
- Basic Accounting...A Guide for Beginning Farmers from ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Free to download. Good bookkeeping is critical to financial well-being for any business. It allows the business owner (the farmer) to see whether the business is profitable, set and monitor progress toward goals, and, above all, plan for the financial stability of the farm. The purpose of this publication is to make basic accounting approachable for people with little or no accounting experience and encourage new farmers to develop good recordkeeping habits at the outset.
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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.
- Growing Grapes in Wisconsin This award-winning manual offers detailed instructions on how to successfully grow grapes. Our UMaine Extension vegetable and small fruit specialist finds this publication ideal for use in Maine as well. Covers selecting the best cultivars for your growing conditions, illustrates a variety of trellis designs and proper pruning techniques, and suggests ways to limit or prevent damage from insects and diseases. 25 pages. 2006. $4.00.
- So You Want to Farm in Maine 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, 2008.Download it for free, or buy a printout. $0.75.
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Upcoming Events
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February 20, 2013
Winter Farming Workshops, 9am-5pm at 294 Crosby Brook Road in Unity. Sponsored by the Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets, Maine Farmland Trust, Maine Organic Farmers' and Gardeners' Association and Western Mountains Alliance. Workshops include: Online Farmers' Markets and Buying Clubs, EBT on Smart-devices, Unity Food Hub briefing and discussion, updates from all organizations. "Open office hours" with MFT, WMA and MFFM to follow. Lunch will be provided. For more information and to register, please see: http://winterfarmingworkshops-estw.eventbrite.com/ -
February 23, 2013,
Rotational Grazing Workshop, 10 am to noon at the Thompson Free Library, in Dover-Foxcroft. Alice Begin, grazing specialist with the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is the presentor. Piscataquis Soil and Water Conservation District is the sponsor. For more information and to preregister call 564-2321 ext. 3 or email info@piscataquisswcd.org -
February 27, 2013,
Farm Direct Marketing Ideas and Tips, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Piscataquis County Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft. Sign up through the Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative - YOU CAN series http://pvaec.maineadulted.org/ or call 207-564-6525 or email knormandin@pvaec.org.
February 27 - 28, 2013,
New England Agricultural Marketing Conference & Trade Show at the Sturbridge Host Hotel, Sturbridge, MA. The theme of the 2013 conference is Making "Cents" in Today's Marketplace. Attendees will find 26 workshops on topics such as marketing, agri-tourism, social media, financing and more. There will be a panel discussion with the agricultural chiefs from each of the New England states. Don't forget the trade show with a large variety of agricultural vendors and the New England Farmers' Market Managers Workshop. Keynote addresses will feature Roberta MacDonald, Senior VP for Marketing at Cabot Cooperative Creamery. Also providing a keynote address is Bob Burke, Co-Founder of the Natural Products Consulting Group. Early Bird registration is now open. Click here for more information. Program details and lodging options are also available at this site.
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February 28, 2013,
Backyard Maple Syrup Production, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at the Piscataquis County Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft. Sign up through the Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative http://pvaec.maineadulted.org/ or call 207-564-6525 or email knormandin@pvaec.org.
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March 1, 2013
Local Food Production (what are the obstacles to growing more
of our own food?) First Friday discussion group of the DDATT (Dover Dexter Area Towns in Transition) 6 pm, East Sangerville Grange, potluck then discussion til 8:30 or 9. For more information sambrown2@juno.com -
March 1, 2013 2013 Maine Grain Conference, 8:30 am to 4:15 pm at the Spectacular Events Center, Bangor (395 Griffin Rd., near the airport). The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is thrilled to have a number of outstanding speakers from neighboring Canada and Maine at this year's conference. Topics will include sourcing, producing, and certifying seed; designing organic cash grain rotations; managing weeds; organic fertility strategies; and more. Pre-registration required. Cost $15 for snacks and lunch. FMI Ellen Mallory 207-581-2942 or 1-800-870-7270 (in Maine only). To register online click here. -
March 1, 2013
Best Greenhouse Practices Field Day 8:30 am - 3:00 pm, at Robin's Flower Pot, Farmington ME. Learn about scouting and pest management. Tour Robin's Flower Pot, learn about marketing tools and strategies, learn how to help your customers select pest management products and earn 3 pesticide recertification credits. Go to this website to register and pay ($15) online:
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March 2, 2013
Beef Quality Assurance Training Witter Farm, University of Maine, Orono. Topics include: biosecurity, What is BQA and impact on carcass quality, E-coli and other diseaseas you can catch from your animals, overview of drug practices, facilities, flight zone, transportation, recordkeeping and hands-on cattle handline, current diseases and vaccinations. Cost is $25 for adults and $10 for youth age 19 and under (includes lunch.) Bring warm clothes, wear boots that are washable. The afternoon session is outside and all footwear will need to be washed before approaching the barn area. If you plan to come please contact Cindy Kilgore at 215-4968 or cindy.kilgore@maine.gov - March 2, 2013, Meet Your Farmer & Fisherman - CSA 2-5pm, Bangor: Hammond Street Congregational Church, 28 High St. A celebration of Community Supported Agriculture. FMI MOFGA - CSA
- March 9, 2013 MOFGA's Spring Growth Conference, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Unity
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March 13, 2013
Maine Vegetable & Fruit School, at the Bangor Motor Inn.Topics include: Storage Crops and Post Harvest Considerations; Determining Your Storage Needs and Designing a Solution; Produce Cooling and Storage by Design at Laughingstock Farm; Storing Vegetables at Checkerberry Farm; Marketing Winter Crops at Six River Farm; Spotted Wing Drosophila Quiz; A Virtual Visit to Jordan's Farm; Marketing to Your Community at Jordan's Farm; Should Strawberries be on Your Menu?; Using Compost: The Good, Bad and Ugly; New Pest Update: Spotted Wing Drosophila, Stink Bugs, Cutworms, Borers and Moths. More information is posted on the Highmoor Farm website ( http://umaine.edu/highmoor/blog/2013/01/25/maine-vegetable-and-fruit-school-2013/). Please register by February 25. The cost is $35.00 and includes lunch. Participants may receive 1 Pesticide Applicator recertification credit, and Certified Crop Advisors may earn 5 recertification credits. -
March 14, 2013
Talking to Customers about Pesticide Use with Lebelle Hicks, MACF State Toxicologist, 7 pm at the Penobscot County Extension Office, Maine Ave, Bangor. (1-hour of pesticide recertification credit available) Maine Highlands Farmers meeting to follow. www.mainehighlandsfarmers.com FMI contact Donna Coffin at 207-564-3301 or donna.coffin@maine.edu -
March 20, 2013
Swine Health Meeting, Florian Hall, Dept. of Public Safety, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta. Topics include Pork industry structure, breeding, farrowing, grow to finish & nutrition by Dr. Ken Kephart, Swine & E-coli and zoonotic diseases by Dr. Michele Pfannenstiel, Pork quality assurance re-certification by Cindy Kilgore and organic swine by Diane Schivera. To preregister contact Cindy.Kilgore@maine.gov or 215-4968. -
March 21st, 2013,
Recipe to Market: Ca$hing in on Value-Added Opportunities 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. A 5-part workshop series for developing and taking your specialty food product to market. Runs Thursday's through April at the Foster Student Innovation Center ( http://foster.target.maine.edu/), Long Road, University of Maine Campus. Orono, Maine. $50.00 ($25.00 for students; Scholarships available) Contact: Theresa Tilton at theresa.tilton@maine.edu Phone: (207) 942-7396 or 800-287-1485 (in Maine) -
March 22 & 23, 2013
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March 23, 2013
Maine Grass Farmers Network Grazing Conference, Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield. Sponsored by Maine Grass Farmers Network, UMaine Extension, MOFGA, NRCS and Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and the Maine Beef Producers Association. . Registration information call 207-342-5971 or visit the website www.umaine.edu/livestock/mgfn. -
April 11, 2013
Agritourism Options on the Farm with Marc Edwards, UMaine Extension 7 pm, at the Piscataquis County Extension Office, Dover-Foxcroft. Maine Highlands Farmers regular meeting will follow. www.mainehighlandsfarmers.com FMI contact Donna Coffin at 207-564-3301 or donna.coffin@maine.edu
April 13th, 2013
Cultivating the Community... An Agricultural Resource Exchange hosted by the East Sangerville Grange, 9 am to noon. FMI contact Erin Callaway at eecallaway@gmail.com or call 564-7167.
May 9, 2013
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May 17 to 19, 2013
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May 18, 2013
Spring Preconditioned Feeder Calf Sale at the Northeast Livestock Expo.
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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