Most farms and ranches require multiple first aid kits due to the many types of jobs and the dispersed areas of work in a production agriculture operation. Not only is it important to have appropriate first aid kits on your farm or ranch, it is important that you and others in your operation understand basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

• Include pertinent personal information in first aid kits for individuals who have specific medical conditions. For example, indicate that a certain person has an allergic reaction to bee stings. 
• Include the contact information for the family doctor of each person working in the vicinity of the kit.
• Remember that agricultural incidents may occur at night or in winter, so include items such as flares, flashlights, emergency blankets, and waterproof matches.
• In an emergency situation, it is common for people to forget what they have learned in first aid classes, so include a first aid manual in each kit.
• For the kits, use containers that are dust-free and water-resistant. Label the kits clearly.

Larger first aid kits should be located at main farm or ranch buildings or in the home.  Smaller first aid kits should be kept on major pieces of farm equipment and in vehicles.
Click here for more detailed list of what to include in your first aid kits.

Agricultural producers with at least 50% of gross income from agricultural operations  and rural small businesses can apply for guaranteed loan financing or grant funding to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.
Funds can be used for purchase, installation and construction of renewable energy systems, such as:

Weeds are a major scourge for organic growers, who often must invest in multiple control methods to protect crop yields. A relatively new weed control method known as abrasive weeding, or "weed blasting," could give organic growers another tool. The method, recently field-tested at the University of Illinois, is surprisingly effective.  
In conjunction with plastic mulch, abrasive weeding reduced final weed biomass by 69 to 97 percent compared to non-weeded control plots, said U of I agroecologist Samuel Wortman.
According to Wortman's research, weed blasting does affect some weeds more than others. Essentially, the smaller the seedling, the better. Also, seedlings whose growing points are aboveground (annual broadleaf species) are more susceptible to blasting than seedlings whose growing tips are located belowground (grasses and broadleaf perennials). Finally, Wortman noted that the presence of plastic mulch seemed to factor strongly into the equation. Weed blasting alone "is not a silver bullet, but it is an improvement," he said.
See weed blasting in action on this YouTube video.
Source: Wartman, Weed Blasting Offers New Control Method for Organic Farmers, ACES-News, 2016.

• UMaine Extension Livestock Educator position description will be released later this month. Watch for it at UMaine Job Opportunities 
• KVCC is currently hiring for the following positions: Farm Manager; Sustainable Agriculture Instructor and Coordinator; and Adjunct Faculty Farm Infrastructure II. Contact Elizabeth Fortin at 207.453.5858 
• Maine Farmland Trust is looking for an Assistant for this season for the Veggies for All project. This position is designed as an Assistant Project Manager (pdf) (and trainee) for the 2016 season, that will transform into a full on Project Manager in 2017.
• 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   
• Frost Seeding- low tech wonder or wishful thinking The principle behind frost seeding is quite simple. Seed is broadcast on the soil in mid-spring, when daytime temperatures are above freezing but nighttime temperature are below freezing. This daily freezing and thawing, which shrinks and swells the soil, works the seed into the soil.
• Natural Resource Assessment Survey - Maine Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), in cooperation with USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), are conducting a Natural Resources Assessment (NRA) across the state and need the help of Maine's citizens! Those completing the survey will be entered in a drawing for an exciting prize. Click here for NRA survey or contact your SWCD county office for a paper copy.
• Sustainability Survey - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is currently conducting a research project to help categorize how Maine farms are engaging in sustainable practices and farm best management practices.  Click here for MDACF survey. 
• Maine Food Atlas - The Maine Food Atlas encourages diverse food operators-growers, processors, farm to school groups, food security organizations-to use the website and put themselves "on the map."
• Farmers Tax Guide #225 available online.
• 2016 Wild Blueberry Spring Meetings will be held on the following dates and times: FMI Phoebe.Nylund@maine.edu  or Tel: 207 581-2892
  WALDOBORO - Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.
  ELLSWORTH - Thursday, March 24, 2016 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.
  MACHIAS - Saturday, March 26, 2016 from 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Webinars:

Brown Bag Series: Farmers' Market Benchmarks, Thursdays at noon. By the Farmers' Market Federation of New York. Registration required for this free webinar series.

• February 11: Income Potential for Farmers' Market Farmers
• February 18: Marketing Standards for Success at Farmers' Markets
• February 25: Employee Benchmarks for Farmers' Market Sales
• March 3: Pricing Benchmarks for Successful Farmers' Market Sales

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

Visit the UMaine Cooperative Extension online Publications Catalog