UMaine Cooperative Extension Logo
September 2014
Piscataquis and Penobscot
Farming Newsletter


Practical farming information based on university research

Free Obsolete Pesticide Disposal

This October, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) will team up with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help Mainers dispose of banned pesticides or unusable pesticides.

This free disposal program is open to homeowners, family-owned farms and greenhouses. Collection will occur at sites located in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta and Portland. To qualify, people must register by September 26, 2014.

It's not unusual for homes and farms to have unintentional hazardous waste-banned pesticides or pesticides that have become caked, frozen, or otherwise rendered unusable-sitting around in basements, garages, or barns. These chemicals can be difficult and expensive to dispose of; DACF Commissioner Walt Whitcomb stressed the importance of proper disposal of banned or unwanted pesticides.

"It's important for the protection of public, wildlife, and environmental health that these products are dealt with properly and not thrown in the trash or down the drain, where they can contaminate land and water resources, including drinking water," said Commissioner Whitcomb. "People holding these chemicals should contact the BPC as soon as possible to register for the October collection."

The collected chemicals go to out-of-state disposal facilities licensed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency where they are incinerated or reprocessed.

Registration by September 26, 2014, is mandatory-drop-ins are not permitted. To register, get details, and learn important information about the temporary storage and transportation of obsolete pesticides, go to the BPC Web site at http://www.maine.gov/dacf/php/pesticides/public/obsolete_pesticide_collection.shtml , or call 207-287-2731.

The Maine Obsolete Pesticides Collection Program, jointly sponsored by the BPC and DEP, and paid for entirely through pesticide product registration fees, has kept more than 90 tons of pesticides out of the waste stream since its start in 1982.

Marketing for Profit: Tools for Success Free Course for Farmers


The Farmers Market Federation of NY and the NY Farm Viability Institute are cosponsoring an online course in Marketing aimed at farmers called Marketing for Profit: Tools for Success.  This program is funded by USDA SARE's NE Professional Development Program and hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension Broome County.

There is no charge for the course which can be taken by farmers at their convenience asynchronously and is accessible any time, day or night.  Participants do not have to follow a specific schedule which makes it easier for farmers to participate since they can move through the course at their own pace.  The course materials are also available at no charge for use by extension educators or other educators who wish to use the materials to teach this as an in-person class. 

The curriculum includes the following five components, or modules: Self-Assessment, Market Assessment, Customer Assessment, Communications Assessment, and Business Assessment.  Within each module there are three sessions which include a video of each live presentation, Q & A documents, glossary of terms, links to additional resources, an online discussion forum, homework assignments, and a quiz.  By completing all five modules, farmers will be able to learn essential marketing skills to analyze their personal and business capacity, determine optimal marketing channels, build their customer base, and increase their sales and profits.  After completing the course, participants will have all the knowledge needed to create their complete farm business and marketing plan. 

Successful completion of all sessions within each of the 5 components including the assignments and quizzes will earn the participant a Certificate of Achievement.  In addition, farmers who complete the course in its entirety will be eligible for borrower training credits through the USDA Farm Services Agency.

To register for this free online curriculum to help farmers increase their marketing skills and grow their business, go to: http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/work-shop-programs/online-marketing-for-profit-course.html

 

October National Farm to School Month

The National Farm to School Network advocated for the creation of National Farm to School Month and now organizes the annual celebration in partnership with dozens of partner organizations. National Farm to School Month was designated by Congress in 2010 to demonstrate the growing importance of farm to school programs as a means to improve child nutrition, support local economies and educate children about the origins of food. 

For more information about Farm to School Month 2014, including resources, a chance to win $1,000 for your farm to school project and other ways to get involved click here.


 
Farms for the Future Grant Program
Deadline Oct. 27

State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Public Notice for RFP#201408822

Maine Farms for the Future Program, Round 14: Phase 1- Business Plan Development with opportunity for Phase 2 Investment Support in 2016. 

The State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources is required to offer grants for business plan development (Phase 1) and investment support (Phase 2) as authorized in the Maine Farms for the Future Program  (Title7, MRS Chapter 10-B). In accordance with State procurement practices, the Department is hereby announcing the publication of a Request for Proposals RFP#201408822 from eligible farm owners for the purchase of such services.

A copy of the RFP can be obtained by contacting the Department's Assistant RFP Coordinator for this project: Kimbalie Lawrence.  The Assistant RFP Coordinator can be reached at the following email address: [email protected] or mailing address: 28 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0028

Attn: Kimbalie Lawrence. 

The Department encourages all eligible and interested vendors to obtain a copy of the RFP and submit a competitive proposal.

Proposals must be submitted to the State of Maine Division of Purchases, located at the Burton M. Cross Office Building, 111 Sewall Street, 4th Floor, 9 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0009.  Proposals must be submitted by 2:00 pm, local time, on Monday, October 27th, 2014, when they will be opened at the Division of Purchases' aforementioned address.  Proposals not received at the Division of Purchases' aforementioned address by the aforementioned deadline will not be considered for contract award.

Why a New Animal/Plant Disease and Insect Control Lab for Maine?  

On November's ballot there will be an $8,000,000 bond referendum to support Maine agriculture, facilitate economic growth in natural resource based industries, and monitor human health threats related to ticks, mosquitoes, and bedbugs through the creation of an Animal and Plant Disease and Insect Control Laboratory administered by University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

Explore the ways a new Animal/Plant Disease and Insect Control Laboratory will benefit Maine by clicking on one of these topics:  

Items of Interest

Update Hay and Straw Directory
If you have excess or are in the position to sell hay or straw, consider using the Maine Hay and Straw Directory.  It is free to use.  More information is available online, or call Cooperative Extension 1.800.287.1426.

Farm Grants / Funding Sources
  • Crowdfunding site Barnraiser introduces the people behind sustainable food and farming projects and offers members an opportunity to fund their success. The site is now accepting any project of $2,000 or more that moves the needle forward toward healthy, sustainable and soulful, and humane food and farming. Projects are created online and shared by the creators with their social circles and community. If a project meets or exceeds funding goals when the deadline arrives, then all of the backers that have pledged support are charged and the project receives funding. Click here for more info about Barnraiser.
  •  USDA National Organic Program has released a new fact sheet for farmers to learn about the Organic Certification Cost Share Programs. These programs reimburse individual organic operators up to 75% of their certification costs up to $750 per category of certification. Click here for cost share program information.

  •  Northeast SARE Partnership Grants are reserved for agricultural service providers--extension staff, nonprofits, consultants, state departments of agriculture, and others working in the agricultural community--who want to conduct on-farm demonstrations, research, marketing, and other projects with farmers as active cooperators. The Partnership guidelines have been expanded to incorporate proposals formerly submitted under the Sustainable Community Grant. The application deadline is November 4, 2014

  • Northeast SARE Farmer Grants are for commercial producers who have an innovative idea they want to test using a field trial, on-farm demonstration, marketing initiative, or other technique. A technical advisor--often an extension agent, crop consultant, or other service professional--must also be involved. Projects should seek results other farmers can use, and all projects must have the potential to add to our knowledge about effective sustainable practices. Application deadline is December 2nd 
  • The Maine Grain Alliance seeks applications to award mini-grants of $200 - $1,000 to fund need-based technical assistance (TA) that will help grain-based business owners secure economic opportunities in Maine.  A total of $4,000 will be awarded in this round of grants. Application deadine September 30th. FMI mainegrainalliance.com  
  • Two Cattle Loans are available through theRural Rehabilitation Trust Fundat the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.   The Maine Feeder Cattle Loan Program is to purchase feeder calves intended for slaughter or resale.  The Maine Beef Cattle Breeding Stock Loan Program is for purchase of heifers to be used as breeding stock.  The length of the loans is 12 months for feeder calves and 24 months for breeding stock.  These loans are available year round.  There is a maximum of $50,000. per loan.  These are designed for cattle producers with existing land, buildings, equipment and knowledge of beef cattle.  There are loan requirements.  For further information, please contact:  Cindy Kilgore    207-215-4968   [email protected] 
  • Fair Food Consulting Corps cost share grant for business assistance funding to support the growth of a Maine-based good food enterprise.Applicants may propose to work with a consultant of their choice (who Consulting Corps leadership will need to approve.) They fund up to $10,000 of the cost of consulting services and project administration. Participating entrepreneurs are asked to share a portion of the cost of consulting services received. For more information about the Fair Food Consulting Corps program and to apply, please visit their website. Completed applications should be submitted to Alex Linkow, Fair Food Fund Program Director at  [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received.

Poultry Webinars from eXtension.org

Giving Your Horse the Best Chance During a Disaster is a My Horse University archived webinar that discusses practical things that horse owners should know and can do, that will reduce the risk to horses during fires, floods and storms. You can view it by clicking here.

Using Cover Crop Mixtures to Achieve Multiple Goals on the Farm

Webinar,  a team of researchers at Penn State University will discuss the use of cover crop "cocktails" or mixtures to achieve weed suppression, nitrogen scavenging, nitrogen provisioning, and attracting beneficial insects and pollinators. Results from a study of winter cover crops in a grain and forage research project at the Penn State Rock Springs Research Farm and from several Pennsylvania farms will be shown. They will also review issues of cover crop timing, termination, and general management to aid in farmer insight and adoption of cover crop mixes. The webinar takes place on Tuesday, October 14 at 2PM Eastern Time. The presentation will last an hour, followed by 30 minutes for questions. Attendees will be able to type in questions for the speakers. The webinar is free and open to the public, and advance registration is required. Register now at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/131444560  

 

On-Farm Market Directory Building on the success of the National Farmers Market Directory, USDA has developed national directories for On-Farm Markets, CSA Enterprises, and Food Hubs designed specifically to communicate operating information, product selection, terms of payment, and most importantly, location (addresses and map coordinates) in a dynamic environment that allows you to enter your baseline information in minutes, then update it anytime you want. The directories are available free of charge to registering organizations and businesses. Register as many organizations or businesses as you manage, own, or operate.  The directories will be available to the public no later than January 2015.

The main registration and update webpage at  http://www.usdalocalfooddirectories.com/updates.html includes brief description of each directory.

Contact USDA at  [email protected] for more information.

 

 

2014 Farm Bill Informational Meetings - Dairy sessions will be held in October throughout the state. General sessions will be held in November. For the complete schedule of sessions go to the  Maine Farm Service Agency Site here 

 

Featured Resources

Visit the UMaine Extension Cooperative Extension online Publications Catalog for seasonal information, such as: 

Grow Your Farm Skills this Fall/Winter from the Comfort of Your Home!  

The Cornell Small Farms Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension offer a  menu of 12 online courses each Fall and Winter to help farmers develop their businesses. These 5- to 7-week online courses cost $200 total for up to 4 members of the same farm to attend. They are an amazing opportunity to discover new resources, build your farm plan, hear from successful farmers, and develop a support network of peers. Courses consist of a weekly real-time webinar followed by readings, discussion forums, and homework on your own time. 
Students successfully completing a course are eligible to receive a 0% interest loan of up to $10,000 through Kiva Zip!

Newsletter Update 

The Piscataquis and Penobscot Counties Farming Newsletter (PPCFN), now received by over 620 readers, has been offered as an educational resource by University of Maine Cooperative Extension for over 10 years. As of January 1, 2015, the PPCFN will be transitioning to electronic-only delivery. There will still be three ways to receive the PPCFN from your local UMaine Extension:

1) Piscataquis & Penobscot Counties Farming Newsletter is available online for free! You can sign up to receive the newsletter through your email or view the archived issues anytime at  http://bit.ly/PPfarming If you currently do not have an email, you can get one for free from several email hosts. If you do not have a computer, community libraries have computers for you to use to access information on the Internet and to view your email.

2) Those with no email can opt to pay an annual subscription to receive the newsletters monthly for $15/year. More details on how to subscribe later this fall.  

 3) A third option is to come into the Piscataquis or Penobscot County Extension Office and pick up a free printed copy of the newsletter.

       We appreciate our readers referring others to the newsletter, and sharing it with their family and friends.

    Thank you for your continued support of the PPCFN, valuable agricultural information from Extension for folks in the central Maine area since 2003.

 
Events & Announcements

  • September 26, 2014 Deadline to sign up for the free obsolete pesticide disposal. Contact the MDACF at 207.287.2731.
  • September 27, 2014 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District and Outstanding Conservation Educator of the Year Award Ceremony.  4 pm at the South Sangerville Grange in South Sangerville. RSVP 207-564-2321 ext. 3, [email protected].
  • October 3, 2014 Bull, Heifer and Club Calf Show & Sale at Fryeburg Fair, FMI [email protected]
  • October 4, 2014 Fall Harvest Fundraiserat 5 pm at East Sangerville Grange on Saturday, to raise funds to help restore the historic stained glass windows at the UU Church in Sangerville. All the food is being purchased from local farms, including delicious dinner rolls from Stutzman's and produce from many other local farmers. In addition to a great meal, there will be live music played by Jason Curran and Pete Ipoliti, and a visual presentation about the Dover Cove Farmer's Market. Tickets are $25 per person or $50 per couple and reservations are required. Contact info for making your reservation is on the attached poster. All proceeds go to the window restoration fund. FMI [email protected] 
  • October 9, 2014 USDA 2014 Farm Bill Information Meeting - Dairy Session - 6 pm to 8 pm Exeter Town Hall, 1120 Stetson Rd, Exeter. FMI contact FSA at 207.990.9145.
  • October 11, 2014 3rd Annual Goat and Sheep Sale 1 pm Somerset Auction Co., Fairfield. FMI Nate Philbrick 207-557-5180.
  • October 12, 2014 Maine Cheese Guild Open Creamery Day. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.Visit many of Maine's cheese makers in their creameries, meet the animals, and learn the stories behind Maine's more than 150 artisan cheeses.List of open creameries. 
  • October 14, 2014 Mainstreaming Local Food to Institutions, 8:30 am to 6:00 pm Colby College, Waterville. A round table discussion and workshops about moving more local food into Maine campuses, hospitals & other institutions. Sponsored by the Maine Farmland Trust. Click Here for more information.
  • October 18, 2014 Maine Equine Seminar & Trade Show, noon to 6 pm, Hollywood Casino, 500 Main St., Bangor. Foxcroft Vet will talk about equine health assessment and emergency protocols. Nutrena Equine Specialist will talk about preparing your horse for the cold winter months. RSVP to [email protected] or 603-781-6881.
  • October 22, 2014, Small-Scale Livestock Care, 6 pm to 8:30 pm at the Piscataquis County Cooperative Extension Office, in Dover-Foxcroft with Donna Coffin. Livestock can be a lot of fun and a lot of work. If you have never cared for anything other than a family pet, this class will cover some of the things you need to know before you by that pig, sheep, goat or calf.  How much space does this animal need?  What will it eat and how much do I need? What do I do with the manure?  How much time will it take? How do I know when the animal is healthy and when it is sick? How much meat , fiber, or milk can I expect? Where can I go for help? Sign up through the Penquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative at (207)564-6525 or go to https://pvaec.coursestorm.com/course/small-scale-livestock-care 
  • October 23, 2014 Climate Adaptation & Sustainability (CLAS) Conference...Building a Framework & Platform for CLAS Planning for Communities 8 am to 5 pm at the Wells Conference Center, UMaine, Orono.   
  • October 25, 2014 Great Maine Apple Day. Saturday, 10 a.m to 4 p.m., rain or shine. MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center, Unity. Details. 
  • October 27, 2014 Maine Farms for the Future Grant Deadline
  • November 1 - 3, 2014 MOFGA's Farmer to Farmer Conference, Point Lookout, Northport, Maine. Details. 
  • November 1, 2014 Preconditioned Feeder Calf Sale, sponsored by the Maine Beef Producers Association at Dick Brown's facility in Richmond. FMI click here.  
  • November 8 & 9, 2014 Maine Harvest Festival, Cross Center, Bangor. Click here for more info.
  • November 12, 2014 Small-Scale Livestock Care, 6 pm to 8:30 pm, at the NOKOMIS High School in Newport with Donna Coffin. Livestock can be a lot of fun and a lot of work. If you have never cared for anything other than a family pet, this class will cover some of the things you need to know before you by that pig, sheep, goat or calf.  How much space does this animal need?  What will it eat and how much do I need? What do I do with the manure?  How much time will it take? How do I know when the animal is healthy and when it is sick? How much meat , fiber, or milk can I expect? Where can I go for help? Sign up through the NOKOMIS Adult Education at (207)368-3290 or http://rsu19.maineadulted.org/ 
  • November 13, 2014 USDA 2014 Farm Bill Informational Meeting - General Session. 6 pm to 8 pm, Exeter Town Hall, 1120 Stetson Rd, Exeter. FMI contact FSA at 207.990.9145.
  • November 13 - 16, 2014 Equine Affaire at Eastern States Exposition, W. Springfield, MA. www.equineaffaire.com  
  • December 6, 2014 Maine Beef Conference, Ramada Inn, Bangor.
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 http://www.weather.gov/car/.
Need Pesticide credits?  Check out the Maine Board of Pesticide credit calendar.  Many approved pesticide applicator re-certification programs are listed.
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.
Contributors

Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
[email protected]

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.

The University of Maine does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status and gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, 207.581.1226.
Surface mail recipients can contact their county Extension office for further information when web links are included in an article.
Penobscot Office 
307 Maine Ave. Bangor, ME  04401  207-942-7396 or 800-287-1485

Piscataquis Office 
165 East Main St. Dover-Foxcroft, ME  04426  207-564-3301 or 800-287-1491 
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