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Piscataquis & Penobscot Farming Newsletter
Putting knowledge to work for the people of Maine
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Volume 11 Number 4
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April 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
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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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Should You Be Registered as a Food Facility?
from Linda Titus, Ag Matters, LLCIf you manufacture/process, pack or hold food for consumption by humans or animals in the US, you must register as a facility. The term 'food' includes fruits and vegetables and animal food. This law went into effect 12/12/03. You need to register before your facility begins manufacturing/processing, packing, or holding operations. If you grow seed for animal consumption or as an ingredient in animal food, you need to register. If the seed you grow is only used for cultivation (to be replanted), you don't have to register. Exemptions: (Read carefully)
- Farms - i.e., facilities in one general location devoted to growing and harvesting crops (washing, trimming outer leaves, and cooling produce are part of harvesting) and/or raising animals (including seafood). The term "farm" includes facilities that pack or hold food, provided that all food used in those activities is grown, raised, or consumed on that farm or another farm under the same ownership, as well as facilities that manufacture/process food, provided that all food used in such activities is consumed on that farm or another farm under the same ownership. If a farm grows and sells hay as feed to an animal farm that is not under the same ownership, they are NOT required to be registered as they are both considered farms.
- Retail food establishments, such as grocery stores, delis, roadside stands that sell food directly to consumers as their primary function, meaning that annual food sales directly to consumers are of greater dollar value than annual sales to other buyers. If you grow produce and sell it at a farm stand directly, you are considered a retail food establishment.
Food Facilities include: *If you grow and process an item, you are a 'mixed-type' facility, and you must register because processing is not covered by the farm definition. (for example if you peel or cut vegetables) *If you pack at a packing shed you own, but it is not in the same general location as the farm, it has to be registered. *If you apply pesticides to a crop post-harvest (not in field) that is considered manufacturing/processing. * If you purchase product from other growers to fill your gaps, you need to be registered. FDA Q&A on Food Facility Registration Registration is easy and has no cost! Go to: Food Facility Registration Form or call 301-436-2804 and ask for Form FDA 3537 or request the paper forms from U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Food Facility Registration (HFS-681), 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy, College Park, MD 20740.
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Mummy Berry Site
Researchers are currently looking for sites to place weather stations for the Mummy Berry Forecasting project this season and are looking for blueberry growers that would be willing to allow them to set up a station for the year in a crop field. They are hoping to place the stations at as many locations that have mummy berry plots established in early fall of last year. If you are willing to check on plots a couple of times a week and would be interested in hosting a station please let them know. Please send your contact info, the closest physical address for a location. If you have not established mummy berry plots they may be able to help you set up plots this fall. Thanks in advance for your assistance in providing this program as a service to wild blueberry growers, they couldn't do it without numerous cooperators! If interested contact Caleb Slemmons, Research Assistant on Blueberry Disease Research,
or call office:207-581-2629.
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 Selling Eggs in Maine
No license or inspection is required by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Quality Assurance and Regulations for producers of eggs with less than 3000 laying hens. However, there are several regulations that sellers of eggs must follow.
When selling eggs in Maine, the size and grade of the eggs must be labeled on the egg carton. The name, address and zip code of the packer must also be on the carton (an address sticker or stamp will suffice). Eggs in the carton must match what is on the carton as labeled (grade, size and color). Cartons must also be labeled to state that refrigeration is required. Eggs must be stored and transported at 45 degrees F or less.
When reusing cartons, the USDA Shield must be obliterated from the carton because this shield suggests that the eggs have been inspected by the USDA. Cartons must be clean and odor free. Some grocery chains do not want their cartons to be reused. Generic cartons can be purchased from a local farm store or online. Keep empty egg cartons in a clean, dry odorless area.
Clean the eggs of any fecal matter as needed. Use a bleach solution of 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of warm water to wash any soiled or dirty eggs and use single-use, disposable paper towels. Other egg wash materials designed for this purpose are available for purchase. One such product is Egg Wash Powder from NASCO. The temperature of the water for washing eggs should be at a minimum of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not soak the eggs. Eggs have a natural wax covering. Excessive washing may remove this wax.
Those who sell eggs are encouraged to have product liability insurance. Your homeowner's insurance may not be adequate. Speak to your insurance agent to make certain your product is covered.
The candling of eggs to determine cracks is not required. However, cracked eggs should not be sold because cracks increase the risk of contamination and entry of bacteria. Eggs must meet a minimum of Grade B quality.
For specific questions or additional information about regulations please call (207) 287-6319 or write:
Quality Assurance & Regulations, Dana Finnemore
Maine Department of Agriculture
State House Station 28
Augusta, ME 04333-0028
Email address: dana.finnemore@maine.gov
FYI: The State of Maine Food Code is a manual that lists all regulations related to food. You can request a free copy of the manual from the Maine Department of Agriculture or obtain in on-line at http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/01/001/001c331.doc
Information compiled by Richard Brzozowski, Extension Educator
University of Maine Cooperative Extension - Revised April 2010 |
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Beginning Farmer Resource Network Website:
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Cultivating the Community
The East Sangerville Grange is celebrating grange month by hosting the Cultivating the Community... An Agricultural Resource Exchange at their grange 9 am to noon on Saturday, April 13th. They invite all to join them for an energetic morning filled with optimism, opportunity, listening to nearly two-dozen speakers talk for 5-minutes each about what they are doing right now to promote a thriving and sustainable agricultural community. Topics include: Opportunities for farm-focused funding & investment programs for involving youth in farming, recruiting new families to "buy the farm", supporting farms through a regional hour exchange, local farmers' markets, community supported agriculture, programs to support established, new or aspiring farms and more. Donna Coffin, Extension Educator will be there to talk about University of Maine Cooperative Extension programs in sustainable agriculture and 4H youth. The East Sangerville Grange will provide cider, tea, strong coffee and baked breakfast treats by donation. After presentations, there is an opportunity to talk with each other and the presenters over lunch. Bring a "Bag Lunch to Share" enough for yourself and a little to share if you like. Parking is limited, please carpool if you can. For directions and more information visit www.eastsangervillegrange.com or email Erin Callaway at eecallaway@gmail.com or call 564-7167. |
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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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
Scouting for Vegetable and Fruit Pests on Organic Farms
an eOrganic webinar with Helen Atthowe and Doug O'Brien. The webinar will take place on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at 2PM Eastern Time (1PM Central, 12PM Mountain, 11AM Pacific Time.) The presentation is free and open to the public, and advance registration is required. Register now at
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/172329329
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Items of Interest
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Spring Spelt - Rick Kersbergen, Waldo County Extension Educator has been in contact with a company interested in working with farmers to grow spring spelt for them. They have the seed, and are looking for farmers to grow spelt this year. Rick and Ellen Mallory, Extension Sustainable Agriculture Specialist just finished a research project on spelt last year. Here is their final report (pdf) of how they did in two locations in the State of Maine. A fact sheet was developed to assist growers interested in all winter and spring organic grains http://umaine.edu/publications/2207e/
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Drug Take Back - Occasionally I have livestock producers ask what to do with their expired medications and vaccines from their animal operations. In addition to asking your veterinarian or other medicine supplier if they will take back unused and expired medications, you can also check with your local sheriff or police departments. Many have containers that people can take back their unused and expired medications. Many departments also allow livestock producers to drop off their expired and unused livestock medications.
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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).
- Using Alternative Enterprises and Recreational Development to Bolster Farm Incomes (156 page pdf) Alternative enterprises such as hunting and agritourism offer landowners other ways to diversify their revenue stream and capture more value from their property. These enterprises are growing rapidly across the country and offer landowners other options besides traditional farming and forestry operations. However, these alternative enterprises also are accompanied by risks that landowners are often unfamiliar with and these risks must be addressed before the implementation of any new business venture. A workbook has been developed that includes the PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, and handouts for the webinar series conducted by Mississippi State University and the National Agricultural Law Center during the spring of 2012.
- New England Farm Account Book in Electronic Format This handy record book is now available electronically in an Excel spreadsheet format. To obtain a free copy of the electronic spreadsheet with directions on its use, please contact Donna Coffin, Extension Educator. Our thanks to Dave Marcinkowski, Extension Dairy Specialist who converted this long standing publication to this new format!
- 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.
- Testing Small-Grain Germination #1013 Growers of small grain crops normally calibrate planting equipment to achieve specific plant populations per acre. This one-page bulletin provides some basic guidance on germination testing for the purpose of adjusting planting rate to achieve desired plant stands. 1 page. 2013. Download it for free: Download it for free, or buy a printout for $0.50.
- Weeds of the Northeast #2164 Richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal, Joseph M. DiTomaso. This lavishly illustrated manual provides ready identification of 299 common and economically important weeds in the region south to Virginia, north to Maine and southern Canada, and west to Wisconsin. Based on vegetative rather than floral characteristics, this practical guide gives anyone who works with plants the ability to identify weeds before they flower. The first comprehensive weed identification manual available for the Northeast, this book will enable appropriate weed management in any horticultural or agronomic cropping system, and will also serve home gardeners and landscape managers, as well as pest management specialists and allergists. 746 color photos, 416 pages, paperback. 1997. Published by Cornell University Press. $29.95
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Upcoming Events
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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 11, 2013 So You Want to Farm in Maine Webinar
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April 13th, 2013 Cultivating the Community... An Agricultural Resource Exchange hosted by the East Sangerville Grange, 9 am to noon. Free, bring your own lunch, beverages provided. FMI contact Erin Callaway at eecallaway@gmail.com or call 564-7167. - April 18,25, and May 2, 2013 So You Want to Farm in Maine Webinar
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April 20th, 2013
Using Phosphate Fertilizers, 10 am to noon at Foxcroft Agway in Dover-Foxcroft. Ana Bonstedt and Donna Coffin, UMaine Extension. This is a free program for gardeners and others interested in managing phosphate fertilizers to reduce runoff and pollution issues. FMI contact Foxcroft Agway at 564-2730 or email pam@foxcroftagway.com -
April 20th, 2013 Maine AgrAbility is scheduled to host Dr. Therese Willkomm for an
Assistive Technology and Farming with a Disability workshop in Augusta. Dr. Willkomm is considered a "McGyver", creating assistive technology solutions that can be created in minutes using everyday tools and materials found around the farm or in rural communities.9 am to 3:30 pm at the Elk's Club, 397 Civic Center Dr, Augusta. Cost $25 and includes lunch and 'McGyver' tape kit. Register online at www.umaine.edu/agrability/2013/03/22/assistive-technology-and-farming-with-a-disability-workshop/ or call 207-944-1533 -
April 21, 2013 Maine Pork Producers Association and the National Pork Board, 11 AM, i n Orono at Witter Farm Classroom at UMaine Orono. Regular Business Meeting will be followed by Nirajan Adhikari will discuss the Iowa State bio security program. Lunch - Pulled Pork sandwiches, coffee & water will be supplied, you may bring goodies, chips etc.. After Lunch Todd Rodibaugh, National Pork Board Update & answer Questions. Elect the 2014 Pork Act Delegates. For more information, contact Maine Pork Producers President Clark Souther, at 161 Souther Rd. Livermore Falls or call207 897 3706. Cell 207 931 7706.
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April 24th, 2013 1 day HACCP Course from 9-5 at the Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce on 415 Lisbon St., in Lewiston. This course is geared towards those who are interested in creating a product that would be USDA or FDA inspected and thus need to be compliant with the written food safety guidelines those entities require (or will require in the case of the FDA). This one day course will cover how to analyze food safety risks and food safety hazards. Participants will learn about HACCP plans v. risk based plans and how to use the best of both to create a culture of food safety. The course costs $125 during pre-registration (up to 5 days before course date) and $145 at the door. Registration and payment information is available at www.dirigoqualitymeats.com - April 27, 2013 Fruit Tree Pruning, 10 am to noon, Treworgys Orchard, Levant. Sponsored by UMaine Extension Penobscot County.
- April 27the & 28th, 2013, Beekeeping Class at MOFGA. 8:30 am to 4:00 pm both days, MOFGA Common Ground Education Center, 294 Crosby Brook Road, Unity. Tuition $175. Organic/Natural/Local breakfast and lunch included. Meet and greet and eat breakfast at 8:30 am each day. Class will run from 9 am to noon. Lunch will go from noon to 1 pm. Class resumes from 1 pm to 4 pm. Information and registration.
- April 27th, 2013 Vernal Pool Workshop for Foresters, Loggers, Code Enforcement Officers and Teachers sponsored by Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD), in partnership with the Maine Forest Service (MFS). 9 am at the PCSWCD, in the USDA Service Center located in the Pine Crest Business Park at 42 Engdahl Drive, Dover Foxcroft. This course is approved for the master logger "Continuous Improvement Goal." Credits for foresters, certified logging professionals and teachers also may be available. Dress for the field, including rubber boots. Waders are good, but we will also be doing some hiking to vernal pool sites. Suggested donation for this workshop is $10.00 and pre-registration is required by April 23rd by contacting the PCSWCD at 564-2321, extension 3 or info@piscataquisswcd.org.
- May 9, 2013 Farm to Cafeteria - Food Corps 7 pm at the Penobscot County Extension Office, Maine Ave, Bangor. Maine Highlands Farmers meeting to follow. www.mainehighlandsfarmers.com FMI contact Zoe Hastings at 942-7396 zoe.hastings@foodcorps.org
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May 18, 2013 Spring Preconditioned Feeder Calf Sale at the Northeast Livestock Expo. - May 31, June 1 & 2, 2013 Piscataquis Heritage Hot Air Balloon Festival will be having a special agricultural section to demonstrate a variety of farm and agriculture related things.
- June 20th, 2013 Rogers Farm Field Day, 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Bennoch Road, Stillwater. (near Orono).
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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