University of Maine Cooperative Extension will present a day-long Maine Sheep & Goat Housing and Equipment Seminar on October 19, 2013. The UMaine Extension seminar is offered in cooperation with the Maine Sheep Breeders Association, the Boer Goat Breeders of Maine and regional dairy goat associations of Maine.

The seminar, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield, Maine, will be led by Professor John Porter from the University of New Hampshire. In addition, a panel of farmers will present what works for them and their livestock.

"Housing is an important consideration for sheep or goat producers," says UMaine Extension Poultry and Small Ruminant Specialist Richard Brzozowski. "Livestock facilities should be well designed for animal comfort, easy cleaning and efficient management. Multiuse of housing should also be considered. Producers who participate in this one-day seminar will learn how to design or adapt their facilities with profitability in mind."

The $35 per-person fee includes a reference notebook, refreshments, and a hot lunch featuring Maine lamb. Each participating farm will receive a resource notebook including the Midwest Plan Service publication Sheep Housing and Equipment Handbook and other educational materials.

For more information and to register online click here. 

• Maine Fruit Buyers Guide - directory of suppliers, service providers and industry organizations. Contact donna.coffin@maine.edu or call 207-564-3301 for a copy. 
• The Penn State Extension Health Insurance Literacy Link helps consumers understand new programs and initiatives established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) such as MEdicaid Expansion and health insurance marketplace.  
• Maine AgrAbility has a new Penteret Site http://www.pinterest.com/maineagrability/ where folks are sharing photos of modifications of farm and garden equipment to help them continue to farm /  garden. Some are very, very low cost! 
• Arthritis & Agriculture ... Gaining Ground - Their goal is to provide education and support of agricultural professionals and their families who have been affected by arthritis so that a farmer, rancher, or farm worker may continue to live a productive life in agriculture. 
• AgEnhancement Grant - Each year, Northeast agricultural credit associations and CoBank award grants to help organizations promote awareness of agriculture in the 6 New England states, New York and New Jersey. Funds are provided as part of the Northeast Farm Credit AgEnhancement program, an ongoing educational campaign that supports programs, projects, events, and other activities that promote and stengthen agriculture, forest products or commercial fishing industries in the region. Next deadline is Dec. 1st.  
• Maine Grass Farmers Network (MGFN) Mailings - you can sign up for these mailings now at  www.bit.ly/PPfarming along with the Maine Dairy and Maine Organic Dairy lists. MGFN mailings are sent out as needed.  
• Maine Grains and Oilseeds Website
  has copies of the newsletter, factsheets, videos and links to additional information.
• Animal Welfare Approved Good Husbandry Grants Animal Welfare Approved is making available grants of up to $5,000 to improve animal welfare for Animal Welfare Approved farms, farms that have completed an application to join the program, or slaughter plants that are working with an AWA farm. Funding priorities include improved genetics, increased outdoor access, welfare improvements in the slaughter process, and non-lethal predator control. 

  The deadline for applications is October 1, 2013.

• Obsolete Pesticide Pickup Maine Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) will sponsor a free collection of unusable pesticides during the week of October 21 through 25, 2013. There will be four drop off points in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta and Portland. Only farmers (including greenhouse operators) and homeowners may legally participate in the program. If you would like to participate in the 2013 collection, you must complete an inventory form and submit it to the BPC by September 27. The form and supporting information may be found at this link, http://www.maine.gov/agriculture/pesticides/public/obsolete.htm   

   or you may call the BPC main office 207-287-2731 to request a paper copy of the form. Approximately two weeks before the collection, registered participants will receive a letter with directions to the drop off point, and the time of the collection. Keep in mind that the BPC only accepts pesticides through this program.
• Obsolete Medications/vaccines Check with your local police or sheriff's department about their drug drop off programs. Many will accept animal drugs that are no longer needed or past expiration.   
• Veterinarians for Livestock Farms A list of large animal vets is available on UMaine Extension website. You may have a need for the Maine State Veterinarian, Dr. Michele Walsh in Augusta. Her phone numbers are 207.287.7615 and 207.215.6727. Her e-mail address is michele.walsh@maine.gov. 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 anne.lichtenwalner@maine.edu