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Your Monthly News & Updates
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 Specialty Crop Block Grants Strengthen Maine Agriculture and Generate New Economic OpportunitiesAgriculture Commissioner Walter Whitcomb announced that Maine is partnering with USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to invest $562,583.50 to support Maine Specialty Crop Producers. Maine will conduct 10 initiatives to strengthen and enhance Maine specialty crops, including: potatoes, wild blueberries, organic vegetables, strawberries, hops and horticultural crops. Funds will also help farmers and producers meet new federal food safety rules. Maine's Specialty Crop Block Grant Program partnership initiatives for fiscal year 2015: - AgMatters, LLC - will educate and assist specialty crop growers about changes to produce safety rules as a result of the Food Safety Modernization Act.
- AgMatters, LLC - will assist Maine specialty crop growers as they undertake the task of preparing for Good Agricultural Practices/Good Handling Practices and Produce Harmonized Good Agricultural Practices food safety certifications.
- Maine Landscape & Nursery Association - will increase public awareness of horticultural specialty crops within the state of Maine through a Plant Something website for Maine and social media campaign.
- Maine Potato Board - in collaboration with the University of Maine - will work on pest-related hazards confronting potato growers through field monitoring, disease forecasting, and distribution of educational materials associated with integrated pest management.
- University of Maine - will work on pollinator safety within the confines of sound and effective pest management of significant insect pests and diseases to Maine's fruit industry.
- Maine Wild Blueberry Commission - in collaboration with the University of Maine - will work to decrease crop losses and increase revenues for wild blueberry growers through integrated pest management (IPM) program for control of mummy berry and Botrytis blight.
- Wild Blueberry Commission - will work to develop and implement weed management as part of an IPM program for preventing weed control resistance in Maine wild blueberry fields.
- Maine Potato Board - will enable potato growers to expand current rotation lengths while directly and indirectly improving potato yields by identifying potential crops that could be grown in conjunction with potatoes that would allow producers improved economic returns.
- University of Maine - research and extension faculty will evaluate plant characteristics, determine flavoring and brewing characteristics of different hops varieties, develop resource materials for farmers and determine unique qualities and appropriate use of hops varieties.
- Maine Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station at the University of Maine - will focus on the development of cost effective strategies for deploying environmentally sound pest management tools in organic vegetable and strawberry production in Maine.
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Backyard Poultry Programs
Prospective and beginning small-scale meat and egg producers will gain a general understanding of what it takes to have poultry. Poultry breeds, housing, health, and nutrition for small-scale meat and egg producers will be explored with Donna Coffin, UMaine Extension and Dr. Beth McEvoy, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation
and Forestry. Sponsored by UMaine Extension and MDACF Animal and Plant Health.
The program goes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. $10 course fee with $20 optional course book "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens." Limited number of partial course fee waivers available. November 3rd Piscataquis County Extension Office, 165 E. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft - Sign up through PVAEC at 207-564-6525 or http://pvaec.maineadulted.org For more information or to request a disability accommodation, call 207-564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491. |
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Piscataquis County Extension Association Invitation Join us at our annual meeting! Celebrating and Supporting Farming in Piscataquis County
with John Piotti, President and CEO of Maine Farmland Trust Farm to Table Meal by Friday, October 30th 6 pm dinner 7 pm program Congregational Church in Dover-Foxcroft Tickets are available for dinner at the Piscataquis Extension office .165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, phone 207.564.3301 or 1.800.287.1491 (in Maine) email amanda.miles@maine.edu. RSVP with payment of $10 by October 23rd guarantees a meal. Proceeds to benefit the school gardening project. |
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Seminar for beginning dairy, livestock farmers offered in Freeport
University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Wolfe's Neck Farm are partnering with the Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers to offer a seminar focused on business planning.
UMaine Extension professor Rick Kersbergen will facilitate the class geared for beginning pasture-based dairy and livestock farmers. The weekly course will be offered remotely at Wolfe's Neck Farm, 184 Burnett Road, Freeport, noon to 2:15 p.m. from Nov. 12, 2015 until March 2016.
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2-day farm business development intensive Nov. 14 - 15 Black Bear Inn, Orono Sponsor: Maine Farmland Trust This workshop is for experienced farmers who want to start or expand their wholesale markets. Drawing on a panel of business and farming experts from around the state, as well as other growers who are willing to share their experiences, we'll approach the issue of wholesaling from many different angles. During The Business of Farming for Wholesale, you'll have a chance to: - Learn how to use last year's actual records to find your most (and least) profitable crops.
- Meet some of the prominent wholesale buyers in the state.
- Meet potential lenders
- Make contact with potential distribution networks
- Learn how and when to compile and read your farm's financial reports
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Items of Interest
- Northeast SARE Farmer Grant Deadline - Quick reminder:
Submit your proposal by midnight, November 12.
Northeast SARE offers competitive grants to commercial farmers who want to try something new--a novel crop or marketing plan, a labor or quality-of-life idea, pest control, production or environmental enhancements, or a wide range of other topics that will improve profits, enhance stewardship, and strengthen the position of the farm in the community. Awards are capped at $15,000. - Maine Agriculture Development Grants RFP - For projects involving market research, market promotion, or a combination of those activities for the purpose of expanding existing markets and developing new markets for agricultural products produced in Maine; or for testing and demonstrating new technologies related to the production, storage or processing of State agricultural products. The Department has $250,000 available and may select multiple projects with maximum amounts of up to $50,000 per award. A copy of the RFP can be obtained by contacting Jessica Nixon, Jessica.L.Nixon@maine.gov.
- Apple variety identification on the New England Apple Association's website at http://www.newenglandapples.org/. Click on "Apples" on the top menu, where you will find their "Apple Finder" webpage.
- "Selling Directly to Buyers: How to Price Your Products" is a Virginia Tech post that helps farmers calculate price for their products in various market channels and how many units need to be sold to cover costs. Of course it all starts with farm records and knowing the cost to produce each unit whether it is a pumpkin, lettuce or apple.
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USDA Survey to Focus on Farm Labor - Throughout October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct its biannual Farm Labor Survey. NASS will reach out to more than 1,400 of Northeastern producers to accurately measure hired labor on Northeastern farms.
USDA and the Department of Labor will use the statistics obtained from farmers to help establish minimum wage rates for agricultural workers, administer farm labor recruitment and placement service programs, and assist legislators in determining labor policies. All farm labor reports are available online at http://bit.ly/FarmLabor. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Northeastern Regional Field Office at (800) 498-1518.
- Gleaning Fields After Harvest - Many times after you have finished harvesting your vegetable crops there are a lot of edible but unmarketable vegetables left in the field. Please contact Nancy Perry, Food Sourcing Director at Good Shepherd Food Bank, at (207) 782-3554 ext. 1109 or nperry@gsfb.org for more information about donating fresh produce.
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Featured Resources Videos:
Maine Balsam Fir Tips: A Sustainable Harvest University of Maine Cooperative Extension talks about how to properly identify and harvest Maine Balsam Fir tips.
How to Create a Farm Business Plan University of Maine Cooperative Extension provides information on why creating a farm business plan is so important and what marketing, operations, and finances mean to your plan.
Webinars:
Direct Marketing Specialty Food Products Online from University of Nebraska- Lincoln
- Learn strategies to direct market food and sell online
- Evaluate the role of technology in your business in regards to direct online marketing
- Examine strategies necessary to deal with the technology and weigh some cost/benefit measures
- Consider the evolution of information technology to meet changing business priorities and market demands
- Understand how online marketing is part of an over-all business and marketing strategy
Publications:
Visit the UMaine Extension Cooperative Extension online Publications Catalog for agriculture information, such as:- A Guide to Harvest and Storage of Tree Fruits in Maine #2032 Written for the commercial grower this guide provides information for harvest and storage of tree fruits that are produced in Maine. Prevention of fruit losses and maintaining optimum quality for customers depends largely on harvest timing and good storage conditions. 16 pages. © 2015 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free or buy a color copy $2.50
- Safe Home Cider Making #4191 Outbreaks of food-borne illness have been attributed to drinking contaminated cider. This fact sheet provides basic guidelines for safe home cider production. 2 pages. © 2008, 2011 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free or buy a color copy. $0.50
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Upcoming Events - October 30, 2015 Piscataquis County Extension Annual Meeting "Celebrating and Supporting Farming in Piscataquis County." 6 pm dinner and 7 pm program at the Congregational Church in Dover-Foxcroft. John Piotti, President and CEO of Maine Farmland Trust will be the speaker. Farm to Table Meal by Spruce Mill Farm, Dover-Foxcroft. Tickets are available for dinner at the Piscataquis Extension office. RSVP with payment of $10. Proceeds to benefit the school gardening project. For more information contact Amanda Miles at 207.564.3301 or Amanda.Miles@maine.edu
- November 3rd Backyard Poultry at Piscataquis County Extension Office, 165 E. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft - Sign up through PVAEC at 207-564-6525 or http://pvaec.maineadulted.org
- November 6-8 - MOFGA's 2015 Farmer to Farmer Conference. Friday through Sunday, Point Lookout Resort, Northport, Maine. MOFGA's annual conference for farmers provides a great opportunity to talk about what works and what doesn't while learning new ideas from university faculty, fellow farmers and others.
- November 7th, 2015, MBPA Pre-conditioned Feeder Calf Sale 11 am, sponsored by the Maine Beef Producers Association, Dick Brown's Auction Barn, Richmond.
- November 12, 2015 Northeast SARE Farmer Grant Deadline
- November 13 - 14, 2015 Soft, Hard, and Stretchy: The Culture of Southern European Cheeses with Peter Dixon. He will demonstrate making three different cheeses - one stretchy pasta filata type, one aged hard style, one young softer style - and the techniques for making all three types. Sponsored by the State of Maine Cheese Guild at Pineland Farms Creamery in New Gloucester, Maine.
- November 14 & 15, 2015 Maine Harvest Festival, Bangor.
- November 14, 2015 Maine State Beekeepers Association Annual Meeting, Hampden Academy, Hampden.
- November 14-15 - The Business of Farming for Wholesale: A Two-Day Intensive Workshop, Black Bear Inn, Orono. Sponsored by Maine Farmland Trust. For experienced farmers who want to start or expand their wholesale markets. Available tuition-free to farmers who participated in this spring's Harvesting Maine's New Wholesale Opportunities. Other farmers may apply to participate. Details and registration online at Maine Farmland Trust or contact Jed Beach at beach.jed@gmail.com
- November 18, 2015 Beef Fall Health Meeting - evening - Presque Isle
- November 19, 2015 Beef Fall Health Meeting - evening - Waterville
- December 15 - 17, 2015 New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference, Manchester, NH. This is the premiere fruit and vegetable show for the northeastern part of the US. The educational program is very large and covers a great number of crops.
- January 12 - 14, 2016 Maine Agriculture Trades Show, Augusta
- April 2, 2016 Livestock 101 at the University of Maine Witter Center, Orono.
- May 20 - 22, 2016 Northeast Livestock Expo, Windsor
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Newsletter Subscription Information
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 remains 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.
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, providing valuable agricultural information from Extension for folks in the central Maine area since 2003.
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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.
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Quick Links
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Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
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Local Weather AnytimeMany 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/. Check out the Maine Board of Pesticide credit calendar. Many approved pesticide applicator re-certification programs are listed.
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Contributors
Donna Coffin, Extension Educator
donna.coffin@maine.edu
and
Rick Kersbergen, Extension Educator
richard.kersbergen@maine.edu
Goal
The goal of the Central Maine 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.
Photos by Donna Coffin unless otherwise noted. |
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Open Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
307 Maine Ave. Bangor, ME 04401 207-942-7396 or 800-287-1485
Open Monday, Thursday, Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm,
Open By-chance on Wednesday, Closed Tuesday
165 East Main St. Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 207-564-3301 or 800-287-1491
Open Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
992 Waterville Road, Waldo, ME 04915-3117 Phone: 207.342.5971 or 800.287.1426 (in Maine)
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