Did you know the Maine Soil Testing Service has a tool where you can look up soil reports and change the crop code for an existing soil test report? If you've lost past soil test results, or want results for a different crop than what you initial requested, this self serve tool is a quick and easy way to get that information. Check out the tool at http://soilweb.um.maine.edu/soilweb/ .

Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 19, 2021. Click here to Learn More

MDACF recently announced it plans to host an in-person Maine Ag Trades Show, January 11-13, 2022 at the Augusta Civic Center.

Are you someone who typically attends the show? What resources does your farm or agricultural business need for success? What would be most useful to have at the show? Share your ideas with show organizers.

If you’re looking to participate in the show, submit the interest form.

Are you involved in or support food work at Maine healthcare facilities, universities, correctional facilities, schools, early care sites, or other food-serving institutions? Join us to help further your work!

In the coming year MEFTI will be working on statewide policy advocacy, advancing priorities developed through the 2020-2021 Maine Food Convergence, and more.

MEFTI is accepting applications through July 30, 2021, with the expectation to start in mid-September 2021. Learn more about Maine Farm to Institution, the Roles and Responsibilities, and complete the Application.

We would like Maine women involved in production agriculture to complete this short survey. It is designed to identify topics of interest and gaps in educational resources related to women's physical, mental and cognitive health. The survey addresses:

We want women’s input. Based on the results of the survey, we intend to share and/or develop resources to meet the needs of Maine women involved in agriculture. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey during this growing season (before October 1, 2021).

If you have any questions please contact Lani Carlson at 207.944.1533, maine.agrability@maine.edu or extension.umaine.edu/agrability

The National AgrAbility Project is pleased to present Veterans Harvest: A Virtual Conference for Veterans in Agriculture.

Click here for the registration form. All sessions are free. Register by Thursday, July 22. Instructions for accessing the session will be sent to registrants by Monday, July 26.

The conference sessions:

Several surveyors will share responses from recent agriculture-oriented surveys in a panel discussion.

Survey results will be shared on the:

For more information contact Donna.Coffin@maine.edu or 207-564-3301

Bryan Sullivan, Agricultural Market Reporter, and Levi Geyer, Assistant Field Chief with USDA-AMS are coming to Bangor, Maine, to see what potential there may be to include reports to meet the needs of farmers/producers, wholesale buyers, auctions, stakeholders, and other interested people throughout the state of Maine.

Pre-registration is required if you are interested in attending either live or by Zoom. A recording will be made available to those unable to attend live. There will be only a limited number of seats available at the live site; please register early to get your seat. Those attending live will be asked health screening questions and required to wear a mask while in the meeting room as per University of Maine COVID-19 protocol.

For more information contact Donna.Coffin@maine.edu or call 207-564-3301.

We on the Farm Coaching Team express heartfelt care and concern to all affected by chronic stress, mental health challenges, and compassion fatigue. We wanted to share this podcast from the National Young Farmer’s Coalition that tells the story of people coming together after a tragic loss in the farming community of Washington state. 

If the Farm Coaching program can be of any support, please reach out. We have experienced farmers who are part of the team and who know the stresses of farming inside and out.

Farm Service Agency Will Begin Taking Applications for Indemnity Program Until Sept. 17th.

Livestock and poultry producers who suffered losses during the

pandemic due to insufficient access to processing can apply for assistance for those losses and the cost of depopulation and disposal of the animals. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack announced the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP) in [recorded] remarks at the

National Pork Industry Conference in Wisconsin Dells, WI. The announcement is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Livestock and poultry producers can apply for assistance through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) July 20 through Sept. 17, 2021.

Eligible livestock and poultry producers can apply for PLIP starting July 20, 2021, by completing the FSA-620, Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program application, and submitting it to any FSA county

office. Additional documentation may be required.

Visit farmers.gov/plip for a copy of the Notice of Funding Availability and more information on how to apply.

The USDA and US wildlife agencies, as well as the international animal health community, are gearing up to deal with likely avian influenza (AI) problems in the coming year. Europe is dealing with AI case numbers similar to the 2016 season, and with our wild bird populations getting ready for the fall migrations, exposure of domestic poultry to high or low-pathogenicity avian influenza is likely. What does this mean for our backyard and commercial producers?

1. Keep your birds away from wild bird feeding/foraging sites. Especially if you have ponds or waterways on your land, you should keep your flock away from those sites. Geese and ducks are the most likely wild birds to carry AI.

2. Look over the USDA's avian biosecurity information

3. If birds in your flock are ill, or dying, use caution when handling them or cleaning the premises. Reach out to our lab or to your veterinarian for diagnostic help to be sure it's not AI or another serious condition.

4. Keep your birds happy, well-fed, and clean. A well-managed flock is less likely to fall ill for any reason.

See the collected data in real time on this temporary website.

Send any follow up questions to Alexander.Williams@Maine.gov.

Maine women involved in production agriculture to complete this short survey. It is designed to identify topics of interest and gaps in educational resources related to women's physical, mental and cognitive health.Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey.

Let the authors of the New England Vegetable Management Guide know what you'd like to see from the next edition.

https://unh.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9Ag68WJ1uyjreE6.

USDA Ag Marketing Service - Note program on July 22nd