January 2016
Your Monthly News & Updates
surveyAgriculture Education Survey  
The Maine Farm Bureau has partnered with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension to assess the educational needs of farmers, growers, and farm employees in Maine.  A short survey has been developed to determine these needs across the state.  Your input is appreciated.  
It will likely take 5 minutes or less to complete this survey.  Please complete the survey as soon as possible and by February 29, 2016.  
Feel free to invite other individuals on your farm to complete the survey, including employees.
If you would prefer to complete a paper copy of the survey, please call the Maine Farm Bureau Office at 207-622-4111.

doverDover Cove Farmers' Market is looking for new vendors!
 
We have been located at the busy and highly visible corner of South St. (Route 7 toward Dexter/Newport) and Pine St. for two years, and we have plenty of room to include more farmers and local food producers.
Our market runs from the end of May to the end of October on Tuesdays 2-6, and Saturdays 9-1. Currently, 5 farms/producers participate on one or both days each week. We have volunteers who process credit/debit and SNAP/EBT cards, as well as provide customer service, education, and other supports for the market.  
Besides including more vendors, our plans for growing the market include increasing outreach to allied community organizations and businesses, making Dover Cove Farmers' Market a highlight of downtown Dover-Foxcroft, and increasing consumer engagement.
Member vendors pay $150 for full membership (both days), $100 for half membership (Tuesday OR Saturday), and $25 per market for guest vendors (up to three markets per season). Maine Department of Agriculture licences and insurance are required. Prospective members must be approved by a majority of current members.
Interested in becoming part of our market? Please contact dovercovefarmersmarket@gmail.com before February 19th to be voted on at the Feb. 20th meeting. We will still consider members after this date. We prefer that vendors are present for two of our pre-season meetings. New farmers are welcome to come to the first hour of the meeting on Feb. 20th to introduce themselves to the current vendors.  

chefsChefs Pick Top Twenty Trends for Restaurants
 
Top 20 food trends for 2016 from a National Restaurant Association survey of 1,600 professional chefs:
1.Locally sourced meats and seafood
2.Chef-driven fast-casual concepts
3.Locally grown produce
4.Hyper-local sourcing 
5.Natural ingredients/minimally processed food
6.Environmental sustainability
7.Healthful kids' meals
8.New cuts of meat 
9.Sustainable seafood
10.House-made/artisan ice cream
11.Ethnic condiments/spices
12.Authentic ethnic cuisine
13.Farm/estate branded items
14.Artisan butchery
15.Ancient grains 
16.Ethnic-inspired breakfast items
17.Fresh/house-made sausage
18.House-made/artisan pickles
19.Food waste reduction/management
20.Street food/food trucks

For complete survey results, additional trends to watch, video and downloadable graphics, visit   http://www.restaurant.org/foodtrends.

whole
The Business of Farming for Wholesale
Are you an experienced Maine farmer who wants to make more money wholesaling your products? The Business of Farming for Wholesale could help you get there!  Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) is pleased to announce this new program, building on the success of last year's workshops. Choose from one of two "tracks," depending on your experience level and farm business goals:

Farming for Wholesale 101: This track is for experienced farmers who want to start or expand their wholesale markets. Farmers enrolled in this track will attend 3 daylong workshops and receive 10-15 hours of technical assistance tailored to their farm.

Farming for Wholesale 201:
This track is for experienced farmers with existing wholesale accounts, who want to increase their wholesale operations. You will work with an experienced team of business, production, and marketing advisors over 12-24 months. This is a competitive application course.

FMI contact alex@mainefarmlandtrust.org  

getrealUpgrades Scheduled for GetRealGetMaine.com Site!
The get real, get Maine! website will continue to be a free resource for its users to update their listings and have access to consumers seeking products and services. Our January 2016 upgrades will be changing this website over to a membership based approach where users will have the ability to annually renew their membership on this website. This will require a quick call to action for users moving forward, just once a year, to relay that they wish to continue using this free resource and to verify the accuracy of the data. Those who opt not to renew or respond will then be removed from the website so as to provide the public with the most relevant and current information possible when they search for local products.
A notification will be sent electronically from the website ( www.getrealmaine.com) with instructions on how to renew the membership for one year, with options to easily update your information. If you do not have an e-mail on file, this information will be sent in the physical mail, however deadlines will be the same so please watch for them.
The upgrade includes a new look and functionality, including mobile site improvements, farm profile upgrades, and the addition of several new industry and product categories that will allow for even more defined search results. In addition to the free Farm, Food and Forest Producer Membership there will be new features such as the ability to upload images, provide GPS coordinates, and link social media sites to individual profile listings. This website upgrade also includes a new service provider directory to help users locate those service providers who can help them solve their business challenges, and improved data sourcing for farmers markets around the State of Maine.
If you would like to beat the rush and make any updates to your listing now, or add an updated email address to ensure successful and timely communications, feel free to login at any time to update your information. We encourage you to review your listings again when the upgrade is complete to help us quickly identify any changes needed. If at any point you need your login and password, or have overall questions on the update or your listing, please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing  Jessica.L.Nixon@maine.gov or calling (207)287-3494.

farmsea
Maine Farm and Sea Cooperative
The Maine Farm and Sea Cooperative will supply and serve the highest possible percentage of locally produced Maine fruit, produce, meats, seafood, and value-added foods; manage food service at affordable prices for Maine universities, businesses, hospitals, and other institutions; and create jobs for Mainers in a resilient food system that protects our environment.  Maine Farm and Sea Cooperative will partner with  Maine farmers, fishermen, distributors and processors to grow the food system and increase our ability to feed Maine people with healthy, local food.  
Maine Farm and Sea Cooperative has been developed by a local Steering Committee and the Cooperative Development Institute, the region's center for cooperative business, and  is supported by the John Merck Fund, the City of Portland, Norway Savings Bank, the Democracy at Work Institute, Impact Assets and RSF Social Finance.
Maine Farm and Sea Cooperative will be owned and operated by its members - including many low and median income Maine farmers, fishermen, distributors, food producers, food service professionals, students, faculty, and ordinary Mainers who support the idea of a democratic, socially responsible business and want to share in its benefits.
Contact them at (207) 518-7120 or info@mainefarmandsea.coop

interestItems of Interest
  • HPAI Strikes in Indiana A strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), H7N8, was found on a turkey farm there last week. This strain is different from the strain that caused extensive losses in 2015, and is thought to have arisen from North American strains of the flu. Read more at 2016 Maine: Heads-up Avian Flu Still a Threat in US
  • New England Giftware and Specialty Food Show is looking for exhibitors for their March 19 - 21 Portland Maine Show. This is a juried show that presents the finest New England made giftware, specialty food and home furnishings for wholesale. 
  • Spruce Bud Worm Survey will be used as the basis for a graduate student research project, to assess the opinions and concerns of residents on an issue which encompasses the economic and environmental impact of forests. Your participation is incredibly valuable, and the information provided will be used to help facilitate a role for the public in natural resource management. Responses are anonymous, and no personal identifying information is required to participate. Questions about the survey can be sent to the supervising professor at the University of New Brunswick, Dr. Stephen Heard at  sheard@unb.edu.
  • UMaine Potato Breeding Program reviews 50,000 potato seedlings each year to pick out the best to release to potato growers and gardeners. The latest releases include Easton, Sebec and Caribou Russet. Read more about the UMaine Potato Breeding Program.
  • Recordkeeping is essential to the successful operation of any farm. However, a good recordkeeping system is one that you, the user, are comfortable with and is suited for your farming business. Farmers Legal Action Group (FLAG) is pleased to announce the release of an updated farmers' recordkeeping toolkit. Recordkeeping Instructions and Templates for Small-Scale Fruit and Vegetable Growers intended to be useful to small-scale fruit and vegetable farmers to track their farm activities.
  • USDA Expanding Microloan program Now, microloans will be available to also help with farm land and building purchases, and soil and water conservation improvements. FSA designed the expanded program to simplify the application process, expand eligibility requirements and expedite smaller real estate loans to help farmers strengthen their operations. Microloans provide up to $50,000 to qualified producers, and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).
resourcesFeatured Resources

Apps:
Do you use an android or ISO app to scan and organize your receipts? If you do please let Donna Coffin know what you are using, when you started using it, and how well it works for you and your operation. Thanks  

Videos:

Lighting for Health and Safety in Agriculture Settings - 1 hour YouTube video from National Agrability
 
Webinars:
 Raising Ducks for Meat Production
Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at
11:30 am EST - Free
Dorothy Perkins, an Extension Field Specialist with the University of New Hampshire Extension Service, will be discussing the production and processing of ducks for meat production. Topics to be covered include breed selection, housing, general management and processing. Dot works directly with commercial growers in all agricultural areas. Her specialties include small ruminant livestock and poultry. Dot was born in New England and grew up learning about vegetable farming. While raising a family of her own, Dot and her husband gained experience raising cows, ducks, chickens, rabbits, pigs, veal and goats. She has a BS in plant biology and a Masters degree in animal sciences.
Novel Nutritional Approach to Rearing Organic Pasture Broiler Chickens (Part 2)
February 16, 2016 at 2:00 pm EST - Free.
Join eOrganic for a webinar on pastured poultry by Michael Lilburn and Larry Phelan of the Ohio State University. The webinar is free and open to the public, and advance registration is required.
Raising Geese
Wednesday March 2, 2016 at 11:30 am EST - Free
Everything about geese for the beginner - benefits and challenges of incorporating geese into your small farm operation
Veggie Farming (part 2) From Season-Long Care to Harvest
This course will take you from transplanting to harvest, including information on in-season fertility; integrated pest management including pest ID and control; weed control options; harvesting strategies; and tips for marketing your products. Be prepared to create an in-season fertility and pest/weed control plan as part of this course. Weekly homework will focus on preparing you to make good decisions in the coming growing season.

Publications:
  • Frostbite in Chickens from eXtension.org. How to tell if your chickens have frostbite, what to do if they get frostbite and how to prevent it.
Visit the UMaine Cooperative Extension online Publications Catalog  for agriculture information, such as:
  • Your Business Plan: A Factsheet for Small-Scale Business Owners #3005 A business plan is your most important tool if you're considering a business start-up or expansion. This bulletin outlines the key elements in developing a business plan. Includes sample balance sheet, cash flow, and income statement. 6 pages. © 1996, 2005 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free or buy a color copy for $1.00.
  • Keeping Your Business on Track: Part 1 Records #3004 Successful business managers rely on information from the records systems to make informed business decisions. This 4-page bulletin describes good record systems for small and home-based businesses. See items #3002 and #3003 for parts II and III of this series. 4 pages. © 2002 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free or buy a color copy.
eventsUpcoming Events
  •  January 31 - Maine Farmers' Market Convention, Maple Hill Farm Inn, Hallowell. 
  • February 20, 2016 9 am Dover Cove Farmer's Market new vendor presentations. Contact Jackie Robinson for rules and application.
  • February 20, 2016 5 pm Raising and Hatching Baby Chicks by Scott DeMoranville, Maine Poultry Connection at Bangor Blue Seal Feeds, Stillwater Ave, Bangor.
  • March 5, 2016 Aroostook Sheep Day - Presque Isle
  • March 12, 2016 Camelid Conference tba
  • March 19, 2016 Grazing Conference - Waterville
  • April 2, 2016 Livestock 101 at the University of Maine Witter Center, Orono.
  • May 20 - 22, 2016 Northeast Livestock Expo, Windsor
subscriptionNewsletter Subscription Information

The Central Maine Farming Newsletter (CMFN), now received by over 775 readers, has been offered as an educational resource by University of Maine Cooperative Extension for over 10 years. As of January 1, 2015, the CMFN will be transitioning to electronic-only delivery. There will still be 
three ways to receive the CMFN from your local UMaine Extension:
1) Central Maine 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, Penobscot or Waldo 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 CMFN, providing valuable agricultural information from Extension for folks in the central Maine area since 2003.
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.
quickQuick Links
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.
weatherLocal 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.
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 Edwin Remsberg & Donna Coffin   

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Penobscot Office - website 
Open Monday - Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm
307 Maine Ave. Bangor, ME  04401  207-942-7396 or 800-287-1485

Piscataquis Office  - website 
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 
Waldo Office  - website 
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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