Livestock Farm with green barn
   Piscataquis & Penobscot Farming Newsletter
UMaine Cooperative Extension Logo
Putting knowledge to work
for the people of Maine
Volume 11 Number 6

 June 2013  

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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Need Hay? Got Hay or silage to sell? Maine Hay Directory 

 

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.
East Sangerville Grange to Host Discussion on Creating a Piscataquis MOFGA Chapter
Members of the Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association in Piscataquis County and neighboring towns are invited to the East Sangerville Grange on Sunday, June 9th at 5pm for a discussion about the possibility of creating a Piscataquis County MOFGA chapter.

There are currently four MOFGA chapters in Maine: Cumberland County, Waldo County, Sagadahoc County, and Midcoast. Each chapter engages in its own choice of activities. Creating a local chapter involves sending a proposal to MOFGA stating the geographic area the chapter would serve, the number of potential participants, the frequency of meetings and a description of the chapter's focus or purpose.

One possibility for a Piscataquis County chapter, for example, could be to create easier access to MOFGA's rich knowledge base and pool of experts by providing a local venue for MOFGA demonstrations and educational talks. The Piscataquis MOFGA chapter would serve Piscataquis County and surrounding towns in the Maine Highlands Region.

The purpose of the June 9th meeting is to gauge interest in the idea and to brainstorm about what a Piscataquis County chapter might look like. If there is enough interest in the idea, East Sangerville Grange is willing to prepare a proposal and would consider acting as the Chapter host.R.S.VP is not required but appreciated. If you have any questions, or just want to let us know you're planning to come send a message to the East Sangerville Grange at [email protected].
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 [email protected]
or Judy Wilbur Craig at 924-3067 or by email [email protected]  For folks on Facebook we post nearly daily updates on our construction progress at http://www.facebook.com/groups/dexterfarmproject
New guidelines for producers here.
galinsoga
The walk will be held on June 13
th at 7 pm at the Stutzman's Farm, 891 Douty Hill Rd, Sangerville. The Maine Highlands Farmers are having short business meeting following the walk.  Registration is free. Two hours of pesticide recertification credit are available for private pesticide applicators.  For
 more information, contact Donna Coffin at (207) 564-3301 or (800) 287-1491 (in Maine), or e-mail [email protected] . You can also visit the events calendar at www.extension.umaine.edu.  UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals.

Farmers will benefit from the weed identification walk by learning common weeds that can invade their vegetable, fruit and other cultivated crops. Donna Coffin, Extension Educator will lead the walk and have a number of references available for farmers to learn how to identify weeds and how to manage them in their crops. Farmers with weeds to identify from their home farm are encouraged to bring a digital picture of their problem weed.

MEWORC - Maine Worker Owned Rural Co-op
A group of folks willing to do temporary work on central Maine organic farms.

Jane Livingston has organized MEWORC to try to link folks who want to work on a farm with farmers who need workers.  This first year is focused on organic farms seeking workers.  

ORGANIC FARM WORKERS NEEDED: $8-10/hr

We are working with a few organic farmers and recruiting a small band of farm workers to "test drive" the concept of a temporary farm labor pool. Any organic farmer in Maine is welcome to contact us.

If you want to participate or simply find out more about MaineWORCs--either as a farmer or as a pilot project worker this summer or perhaps a co-op member--please get in touch with coordinator Jane Livingston: [email protected]

Right now, we know of 7 organic farms in northern Maine offering 20-40 hours/week July - August at $8-10/hr, and we hear of more daily as word spreads.

pyo customers
It's that time again! As harvest approaches, we like to remind you to take a moment and make sure that your farm is prepared to give your customers an enjoyable experience. Take our annual review below to evaluate your customer readiness.   
  • Signs to the farm are neat and easy to read. 
  • There is easy access to the fields and plenty of parking. 
  • Someone is ready to greet customers and offer parking instructions and directions to the field.
  • Access to the field is free of hazards. 
  • Transportation is provided for the elderly and disabled. 
  • The rules regarding picking are clearly posted. 
  • Someone is in the field to show customers where to pick and to answer questions. 
  • There are plenty of picking containers available. 
  • Clean restroom and hand washing facilities are available.
  • Someone is available to help customers carry fruit out of the field.
  • The checkouts are fast and efficient.
  • Beverages are available.
  • Shade and seats are available for customers wanting to rest.
  • The help are friendly and knowledgeable.  
A friendly, clean, and organized atmosphere will leave a lasting impression on your customers, encouraging them to come back and to recommend your farm to their friends.
Handley, D., Strawberry IPM Newsletter, No.4, June 2009.
Items of Interest
  • How to Sell Fruits and Vegetables to the USDA WebinarJune 27, 2013 Online
    At 2:00 p.m. EDT, USDA will present a free interactive webinar. Tune in to learn everything you need to get started selling your fruits and vegetables to USDA. This webinar is designed for fruit and vegetable growers, processors, and distributors of all sizes. Registration is required and space is limited.
     
  • Dealing with Deer Webinar Dr. Scott Hygnstrom will be giving a webinar entitled "Dealing with Deer." Dr. Hygnstrom will provide actionable information to resolve human-deer conflicts. Webinar will occur on Friday June 21, at 11:00 am to Noon Central time (noon to 1 pm Eastern time). Pre-registration is not required. Simply show up at https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/wildlifedmg at the appointed time. The webinar will be recorded. Sponsored by eXtension.org  
  • Archived "So You Want to Farm in Maine" Webinar is available for free. The purpose of this course is to equip participants with the business knowledge and skills to start, adapt, and maintain a profitable land-based business. It is designed for people who want to start a profitable farm or expand their farm hobby to a profitable business. To sign up or for more information go to http://bit.ly/FARMME  
  • Timely newsletters, and pest reports are sent out for the following crops. Apples, Wild Blueberries, Cranberries, Potatoes, Strawberries, Sweet Corn. You can either sign up to receive the electronic versions or view the latest from this website. www.umaine.edu/ipm/programs   There are also a number of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programs that are conducted with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry that are listed on the site: Fruit & Vegetable IPM, Greenhouse & Nursery IPM, Poultry & Livestock IPM.

  • Veterinarians for Livestock Farms Every livestock producer ought to have a veterinarian with whom they work. If you don't have a veterinarian, you can find one through the Maine Veterinary Medical Association. A list of large animal vets is available on UMaine Extension website. You may have a need for the Maine State Veterinarian. She is Dr. Michele Walsh. Dr. Walsh is located in Augusta. Her phone numbers are 207.287.7615 and 207.215.6727. Her e-mail address is [email protected]. In addition, Dr. Anne Lichtenwalner is UMaine Extension's Veterinarian. She directs the Animal Health & Diagnostic Lab in Orono. Dr. Lictenwalner's phone number is 207.581.2789. Her e-mail address is [email protected].

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 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.
  • Strawberry Production Guide for the Northeast, Midwest and Eastern Canada  Strawberries have become the basis of a large commercial industry and are one of the most popular small fruits in the U.S. This 160-page guide on strawberry culture is a comprehensive resource for commercial growers. Chapters cover site selection and preparation; production systems; temperature regulation; water, soil, and nutrient management; pest, disease, and weed management; and harvesting, transporting, and marketing fruit. Includes floppy disks with a strawberry profit spreadsheet template (for both Mac and IBM-compatible systems). Includes 19 pages of color photos. 1998. $45.00. 

Upcoming Events        

  • June 8th, 2013 FoodCorps/School Gardens Booth at the Dover Cove Market from 9 am to 1 pm. Zoe Hastings, FoodCorps Service Member, will have an activity for kids (worm bin exploration/herb matching activity/potato stamp art/etc).
  • June 8th, 2013 UMaine Extension and 4-H Youth Booth at the Milo Black Fly Festival in Milo. Stop by to say hi! You can bring a garden plant, insect, etc. for identification. We will also have a display on container gardening. You can learn about 4-H opportunities for youth in the area.  
  • June 8, 2013 Alpaca 1011 p.m. to 5 p.m., Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm, Unity. Sponsored by the Alpaca Center of New England. Fee. Learn the basics about alpacas, from history to husbandry. 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Snacks will be provided. FMI call 207-948-3828 [email protected] 
  • June 8th and 9th, 2013 Horse Power Show and Auction, Owls Head Transportation Museum, Owls Head, Maine. The Museum will host a draft powered vehicle auction and show on Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9. The Museum is seeking to contract additional exhibitors for the event. All types of working animal, animal care and other relevant demonstrators are encouraged to participate. For details, contact Ethan Yankura at (207) 594-4418. FMI and to view auction items: www.owlshead.org
  • June 9th, 2013 Discussion on Creating a Piscataquis MOFGA Chapter hosted by the East Sangerville Grange 5 pm FMI [email protected] 
  • June 12th, 2013 The Affordable Care Act and Your Business, 7:30 am to 9:00 am at Foxcroft Academy's Pride Center, 975 Main St., Dover-Foxcroft. Sponsored by the Piscataquis County Chamber of Commerce. Includes continental style breakfast at $8 for non-chamber members. Presenters include: Scot Boucher and Shawn Brennan from the Barresi Benefits Group. RSVP required by June 10th by contacting the chamber at 564-7533 or email [email protected]  
  • June 13th, 2013 Weed Identification Walk at 7:00 pm  at the Stutzman's Farm, 891 Douty Hill Rd, Sangerville. The Maine Highlands Farmers are having short business meeting following the walk.  Registration is free. Two hours of pesticide recertification credit are available for private pesticide applicators.  For more information, contact Donna Coffin at (207) 564-3301 or (800) 287-1491 (in Maine), or e-mail [email protected] .
  • June 13th, 2013 Canning Workshop. Thursday, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., UMaine Cooperative Extension Building, 992 Waterville Rd., Waldo, Maine. Registration $12, paid in advance. For information, contact Billie Jo Pendleton or Sonia Antunes at (207) 342-5971 or 1-800-287-1426 (in Maine), or e-mail  [email protected] or [email protected].
  • June 13 to 15, 2013  Maple Mania, Maine Maple Producers Assoc., Jackman. Trade show, tours of sugarhouses, tech sessions. www.mainemapleproducers.com
  • June 15th, 2013 Farm and Homestead Day at MOFGA, a revival of Small Farm Field Day, is a free, volunteer-driven event offering a wide variety of hands-on and interactive sessions on useful skills for new and old homesteaders and farmers. It will be held on Saturday, June 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center on Crosby Brook Road in Unity. Bring your family and friends!
  • June 15th, 2013 FAMACHA Workshops for Sheep and Goat Producers at MOFGA. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Unity. Presented by Dr. Thomas Settlemire and Dr. Richard Brzozowski. Participants will receive an information packet, record sheets and a FAMACHA card. $20.00 per farm. Register online or download the registration form (PDF) and mail it in with a check for $20.00 made payable to "University of Maine Cooperative Extension" at least one week in advance of the workshop to: FAMACHA Workshop/UMaine Cooperative Extension, 75 Clearwater Drive, Falmouth, ME 04105. Website.
  • June 17-21: Maine Compost School at Highmoor Farm in Monmouth FMI http://www.composting.org/  
  • June 19th, 2013  MOFGA Poultry Processing Workshop. 9 am to 12 noon, MOFGA's Kitchen, Common Ground Education Center, Unity.MOFGA.org.
  • June 25: Writing Compost Management Plans;  5 CCA credits and 5 Maine Nutrient management (MNM) credits. FMI http://www.composting.org/  
  • June 26th, 2013 Rogers Farm Field Day, 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Bennoch Road, Stillwater. (near Orono).    
  • June 26th, 2013 Organic Blueberry Growers Field Day 1 pm to 3 pm, Hugh Lassen, Intervale Farm, 199 North Main Street, Route 193, Cherryfield, Maine
  • June 29 and 30, 2013 Maple Meadow Farm Festival. Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Maple Meadow Farms, 830 Mapleton Road, Mapleton, Maine 04757. Unique demonstrations, draft team farming techniques and field work with antique tractors. Mingle with friends, savor home-cooked food, browse the work of fine artisans and collections from discriminating antique dealers. Bluegrass music, childrens' area. Information and schedule on the web or call 207-764-6450. 
  • July 9th, 2013 UMaine Organic Feed Grain Field Day and BBQ (details forthcoming) evening (time to be determined); held in conjunction with Organic Valley, UMaine Aroostook Research Farm (59 Houlton Rd.) Presque Isle, Maine
  • July 10th, 2013 UMaine Small Grain and Forage Field Day  5:30 - 8:00 p.m. UMaine Rogers Forage and Crops Research Farm, Stillwater, Maine
  • July 21st, 2013 Open Farm Day at various farms throughout the state. Sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. 
  • July 25 and 26, 2013 - 2013 Kneading Conference and 5th Artisan Bread Fair, Skowhegan, Maine. 30 workshops, talks, and panel discussions for everyone interested in local grains, craft breads, wood-fired ovens, and restoring regional grain networks. $300 includes (delicious!) meals. http://kneadingconference.com/  
  • July 17th, 2013 Maine Wild Blueberry Summer Field Day, 9am to 4 pm, Blueberry Hill Farm, Route 1, Joneboro. 
  • July 31st, 2013 - Highmoor Farm Fruit and Vegetable Growers Field Day July 31, 2013 in Monmouth. Growers will have an opportunity to tour the fruit and vegetable research plots at the farm, part of the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station, and hear Extension specialists and guest speakers discuss current research on apples and grapes. University of Maine leaders and state legislators will also be on hand to offer updates on programs and legislation effecting farming in Maine. Please join us for the program, farm tours and lunch. More information will be coming soon.
  • August 21st and 22nd, 2013 Maine Farm Days, Misty Meadow Farm in Clinton.   
  • August 21 & 22: Food Waste Management Compost and Anaerobic Digestion; 10 CCA credits and 8 MNM credits
  • August 23: Food Waste Management Tour. Coach bus with lunch; 4 CCA credits and 4 MNM credits
  • November 16 & 17, 2013 Maine Harvest Festival, Bangor Civic Center, Bangor 
  • December 7, 2013 Maine Beef Conference, Hilton Garden Inn, Bangor 

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
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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

 or

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

307 Maine Avenue Bangor, ME 04401