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Piscataquis & Penobscot Farming Newsletter
Putting knowledge to work for the people of Maine
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Volume 11 Number 3
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March 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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Coalition Providing Assistance to New Farmers in Maine
A group of federal, state and local agricultural service providers have joined together to assist aspiring, beginning, and transitioning farmers to succeed...providing information and assistance on everything from the soil to your wallet. This coalition is known as the Beginning Farmers Resource Network (BFRN). The BFRN has created a website that will serve as a resource for beginning farmers. It offers a "toolbox" of information on important issues/concerns that farmers should think about when starting their business. The BFRN provides resources and contacts on such issues as acquiring land, how to farm, conserving natural resources, planning and managing your business, financing, regulations, marketing, and much more. It also provides information on events and workshops that may be of interest. Go to www.umaine.edu/beginning-farmer-resourcenetwork/ the one stop website
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 Goat Body Condition Score Card
Body condition scoring (BCS) is a simple, fast method of assessing the overall condition, or the thinness or fatness, of your goats. It provides an indication of available fat reserves that can be used by the animal in periods of high energy demand, stress, or suboptimal nutrition and allows producers to make better management decisions. BCS is a handy tool to use as you manage your goats throughout the year. BCS can be used prior to breeding, kidding in a deliberate approach.
Dick Brzozowski, Cumberland County Extension Educator has a limited supply of laminated, colored BCS cards for goats from Langston University. If you are interested in receiving a free copy of the laminated card email Dick at richard.brzozowski@maine.edu In addition to the BCS card, Langston University has a practical fact sheet on the topic of Body Condition Scoring. See http://www.luresext.edu/goats/research/BCS_factsheet.pdf . There is also a video that explains BCS on Langston University's web site. http://www.luresext.edu/goats/research/bcshowto.html |
GardenPro Workshop & Answer Book
from Dr. Lois Stack
Spring is just around the corner. Customers will soon arrive to buy gardening supplies ... and ask gardening questions.
Here are three tools to help you answer your customers' gardening questions this year:
- GardenPro workshop, April 4, 2013, in Manchester ME. Price $10 per person.
- GardenPro Answer Book, updated and expanded for 2013. Price$25 per copy.
- 2013 GardenPro Answer Book Update Package, for people who purchased a copy of the GardenPro Answer Book in 2012. Price $5 per copy.
Register for GardenPro, and purchase the GardenPro Answer Book or the GardenPro Answer Book 2013 Update Package at:
http://umaine.edu/agriculture/programs/2013gardenpro/
GardenPro is a workshop designed to give information that helps you answer customer and client questions, provide
a place where you can ask questions related to gardening and landscaping, and a time when you can earn 5 pesticide recertification credits. Space is limited, and preregistration is required by April 1, 2013.
The GardenPro Answer Book is a small-format reference book with laminated pages, designed for use in the garden center. It's a handy reference book that will help you answer customer questions about more than 25 topics like "What plants do well in dry shady sites?", "How much mulch do I need to cover XX square feet at X" depth?" and "What plants are not preferred by deer?". Order now; this offer ends April 1, 2013. If you attend GardenPro and purchase books or update packages, you can pick them up at the program. If you do not attend the program, books and update packages will be mailed to you on April 10, 2013.
Questions? Call me at 581-2949 or email lois.stack@maine.edu
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Fossa's General Store Seeks Producers
After years of delays and setbacks the Dexter Farm Project is pleased to announce that we expect to open the Fossa's General Store on the corner of Main street and Route 7 in Dexter soon. We will be offering food products produced primarily within 35 miles of Dexter. We hope to be able to offer a wide variety of items ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to meats, dairy products, baked goods, and value-added items. We aim to offer the consumer the widest variety of products that we can, whether that be certified organic or not. We are currently seeking products that will be available for our opening in April. Interested producers are welcome to contact either Ernest Rollins at 717-7057 or by email ewrollins@ymail.com
or Judy Wilbur Craig at 924-3067 or by email judy@DexterFarmProject.com For folks on Facebook we post nearly daily updates on our construction progress at http://www.facebook.com/groups/dexterfarmproject
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Signup Period Conservation Reserve Program
Maine State Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, Donovan Todd, announced today that the Maine FSA will conduct a four-week Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up beginning May 20 and ending on June 14.
Producers that are accepted in the sign-up can receive cost-share assistance for planting covers and receive an annual rental payment for the length of the contract (10-15 years). Producers also are encouraged to look into CRP's other enrollment opportunities offered on a continuous, non-competitive, sign-up basis. Continuous sign-ups often provide additional financial assistance. Those sign-up dates will be announced later.
For more information on CRP and other FSA programs, visit your local FSA county office or www.fsa.usda.gov
NRCS Announces Funding Opportunity
Maine Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a second funding round for both the National Organic Initiative and the National Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative. The application cutoff for this 2nd round will be Close Of Business on April 19, 2013. This includes funding for the Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition. Information.
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
directory.
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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. 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:
- 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 & Online Courses of Interest
Course & Resource Guide to Help Market Agritourism
Today there is a growing interest in rural life as shown by:
- Consumers looking for experiences
- Customers wanting to know where their food comes from; and
- People wanting to see AND participate in farm and ranch life.
Rural -based agriculture is perfectly placed to fulfill these wants. While those closer to an urban center and large populations allows for convenient and easy day trips, there are lots of examples of successful agritourism businesses being developed anywhere. With effective online marketing, there are no boundaries in being found or not having the perfect platform to tell their story.
The North Dakota State University Extension Service and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Service have released "Marketing Agritourism Online" to help agritourism enterprises attract business. The self-directed course and resource guide offer agritourism businesses a tool to reach a targeted audience with a focused message about what they have to offer.
Related ATTRA Resource: Entertainment Farming and Agri-Tourism
 eXtension.org Poultry Webinars:
Producing Poultry Meat on Pasture Webinar - March 28 at 7 pm sponsored by eXtension.org
There has been an increased demand for pasture-raised meat, including poultry. This webinar will cover a variety of issues related to raising poultry on pasture. Dr. Anne Fanatico will be discussing various aspects of raising poultry on pasture. Dr. Fanatico is an Assistant Professor and Appalachian State University has considerable experience with specialty poultry products (free-range and organic), alternative breeds (slow- and medium-growing types) and alternative feeding systems.
Other webinars include:
Poultry break even calculator for small and backyard poultry flocks Learn how to use a spreadsheet for your backyard, small scale or medium-sized poultry enterprise by viewing the archived webinar. Adam Hady of Wisconsin Extension developed a spreadsheet designed to help poultry producers better understand their costs and calculate a reasonable price for their product. There are separate spreadsheets for meat and egg producers. Link to the archived webinar and Excel spreadsheets. |
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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.
- Recipe to Market: How to Start a Specialty Food Business in Maine #3101. From UMaine Extension. Do you have a recipe or food product that you'd like to produce for the retail market? Speciality food producers are on the increase in Maine, despite challenges that include licensing, food safety, and business skill-building. In this bulletin, UMaine food scientists who help entrepreneurs with testing and development answer the most commonly asked questions about starting a small food business in Maine. 5 pages, 2009. Download it for free, or buy a printout. $0.75.
- Managing Alternative Pollinators: A Handbook for Beekeepers, Growers, and Conservationists. From NRAES. This is a first-of-its-kind, step-by-step, full-color guide for rearing and managing bumble bees, mason bees, leafcutter bees, and other alternatives to honey bee pollinators. Over 130 color photos, nest construction details, parasite and disease management guidelines and a sample contract. 162 pages, 2010. $23.50.
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Upcoming 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
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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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