Maine Farms for the Future Grant Program- Deadline October 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: Kimbalie.Lawrence@Maine.gov 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, 4^th Floor, 9 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0009.  Proposals must be submitted by 2:00 pm, local time, on Monday, October 27^th, 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.

 Direct to Consumer Beef Price Reports 

In Vermont, local and regional food systems are a well-established norm. When making routine trips to Vermont at the request of the Vermont Beef Producers Association (VBPA), the AMS staff noted that the majority of producers in the area were selling their products directly to consumers. As they developed more local and regional market reports, VBPA recognized the potential value and impact the data would have for smaller producers. Within a month VBPA put together a contact list of producers willing to contribute price information on direct sales for AMS local beef report.

In July, the Vermont Direct to Consumer - Monthly Beef Report was first released providing price information for local beef sold within Vermont and other regional areas.  Prices reflect beef sold as whole, half, and quarter carcasses, as well as retail sales off the farm or at farmers markets. The total trade volume for the region is also recorded.

The report is 100% producer driven, and information is submitted on a voluntary basis.  As the first report of its kind, the feedback from producers has been amazing.

Thanks to VBPA and its network of producers, beef producers across Vermont now have more local data than ever before.  The objective amongst the producers was quite simple-determine the fair market value of "home-raised beef" sold direct to the consumer. This report meets that objective and has provided some further benefits to establishing price information for accurate development of farm plans, loan applications and insurance.

Small and mid-sized producers are a vital part of America's agricultural future, and AMS staff is dedicated to ensuring their success.  The new local and regional Market News reports are just one way USDA is ensuring that farmers and ranchers participating in this market sector get access to the resources they need to thrive. Visit their website for more  local and regional USDA Market News reports. 

Bull, Heifer and Club Calf Show & Sale at Fryeburg Fair!

    The MBPA started the sale in the late 80's as a way to offer quality Club Calves to 4-H kids for their projects in the following year. It was later expanded to include bulls to accommodate people looking for herd bull prospects. It was again expanded to include heifers born after September of the previous year for show heifer projects.

      These calves have followed the MBPA preconditioning requirements and are halter broke. There is a show preceding the sale where the calves are divided into weight classes and evaluated, with premiums offered by Fryeburg Fair.

     There have been a number of success stories arising from sale consignments, with champions from the various Baby Beef Show & Sales through out the state and one show heifer went on to be Grand Champion Belted Galloway at Eastern States Exposition.

     This year we are reviving and expanding a program from years past where the owner of the highest placing calf from the Club Calf Sale from the following year's Fryeburg Baby Beef Show was awarded a $100 savings bond. This year we have expanded it to include the Baby Beef Shows at Bangor, Presque Isle, Windsor, Oxford, and Farmington, as well as Fryeburg.

       For more information about consigning or purchasing calves in the sale, please contact:

Ed Carter, 417 Main Street, Richmond, Me 04357  Miniacres1@myfairpoint.net

207-737-2872 Home 207-877-1180 Cell

• Maine Hay Directory is maintained by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension to link those who have forages with those who need forages for their animals. In the coming months those who have forage to sell will be listing what they have available (hay, haylage, silage, pasture, hay stumpage), the form (large bales, small bales, etc.), where they are located, if delivery is available, etc. The listings are free, we only ask that you update your listing.) Viewing the listing is free too and it is listed by county. A note that some unscrupulous buyers will send unsuspecting farmers a check for too much for their purchase (some are from eBay, Craig's List, etc.) and ask the farmer to wire the surplus back. Be sure to check the Attorney General's Caution to Farmers for Over Payment. If you are contacted by one of these scam artists be sure to contact the AG's Consumer Protection Division at (800) 436-2131.
• How to Test Forage Quality is a new YouTube Video produced by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and features Rick Kersbergen, Extension Professor from Waldo County. Several UMaine Extension Offices have hay probes available for you to borrow to take hay samples. Contact the office nearest you to see if they have one. If not we may be able to get one to that office

• 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 directoryupdates@ams.usda.gov 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.