Maine Farm News
Maine Farm News
September 4, 2021
In This Edition
ARTICLES
  • Cancellations
  • USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs for Organic Certification
  • Introducing... MapleMAPS
  • USDA Updates Pandemic Assistance for Livestock, Poultry Contract Producers and Specialty Crop Growers
  • USDA Offering Webinar on the Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers Program for Northeast Operators
  • Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Funds Available
  • Farm Beginnings Applications Due Nov. 1
OTHER INFO
  • Upcoming Events
  • Resources
  • Payments Grants and Loans
  • Information for Livestock Keepers
  • Surveys
Maine Farm News
Cancellations
Common Ground Fair - Cancel in person event - look for virtual options
Whoopie Pie Festival - fall event cancelled - Plan to come in 2022 June 25th
International Maple Conference- Niagara Falls, NY. Conference and Maple Grading School cancelled.
USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs for Organic Certification
Organic producers and handlers can now apply for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds to assist with the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification. Applications for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) are due Nov. 1, 2021. 

OCCSP provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the USDA’s National Organic Program. Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent during the 2021 and any subsequent program year. Producers can be reimbursed for expenses made between Oct. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021 including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage. 
 
Organic farmers and ranchers may apply through an FSA county office or a participating state agency.  
 
To learn more about organic certification cost share, please visit the OCCSP webpage, visit usda.gov/organic, or contact your local USDA Service Center. 
Introducing... MapleMAPS
MapleMAPS (Market Assessment and Planning System), a free interactive tool to help U.S. maple producers identify market opportunities for syrup, cream, sugar, and candy along with such flavored products as baked goods, meat, dairy, sauces, spices, and beverages. Empowered with the ability to understand market value, producers who access the tool will be able to strengthen their marketing plans, improve value chain alignment, and conduct reliable business planning for new and expanded revenue streams and profit centers.
USDA Updates Pandemic Assistance for Livestock, Poultry Contract Producers and Specialty Crop Growers
USDA Sets October 12 Deadline for CFAP 2

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced market disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19, is part of USDA’s broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has set an Oct. 12 deadline for all eligible producers to apply for or modify applications for CFAP 2.
USDA Offering Webinar on the Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers Program for Northeast Operators
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) will present a webinar on the Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers Program
(PATHH) on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. This webinar is for operators in the Northeast states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

USDA is providing critical support to timber harvesting and hauling businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic through PATHH. PATHH aids businesses that suffered a gross revenue loss of at least 10% from Jan. 1 through Dec. 1, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. FSA is accepting applications for PATHH through Oct. 15, 2021. Loggers and truckers may apply for PATHH by working directly with the FSA office at their local USDA Service Center.

Visit your local FSA county office. Representatives from FSA in the Northeast will present a webinar on this program, eligibility requirements, and how to sign up. Please register here:

If you need an accommodation to participate in this webinar, please contact Mary Anne Coffin at (207)-990-9140, or by e-mail at maryanne.coffin@usda.gov, by Sept. 7. You may also contact Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.
Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Funds Available
The Rural-Business Cooperative Service (the Agency) published a notice of solicitation of applications (NOSA) in the Federal Register on July 26, 2021, entitled ‘‘Inviting Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program,’’ to allow potential applicants time to submit applications for financial assistance under the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) for fiscal year (FY) 2022.

Applications for Renewable Energy Systems (RES), Energy Efficiency Improvements (EEI), and Energy Efficient Equipment Systems (EEE) Grants of $20,000 or Less and Loan/Grant of $20,000 of Less Combo Applications are due by November 1, 2021, or March 31, 2022. Applications for Unrestricted Grants or Loan/Unrestricted Grant Combo Applications are due by March 31, 2022.

We also want to make you aware that there have been recent changes to the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The regulation and the application templates for the REAP grant have been revised effective July 27, 2021.

Visit the program website for additional information and see the “To Apply” tab for the new applications templates. Please send specific questions to Brian Wilson. Phone: 207-990-9125
Email: brian.wilson@usda.gov         
Farm Beginnings Applications Due Nov. 1
MOFGA Farm Beginnings is a farmer-led program to help guide those with a strong commitment to creating a sustainable farm business achieve their goals. Designed for farmers with at least one year of production experience, this series of intensive workshops will help you to develop a whole farm plan through realistic goal setting, reflection, and assessment of your resources, skills, and markets – and gives you the business planning tools necessary to successfully implement your plan. Course runs Dec. 2021 - Feb. 2022.
Meetings - Webinars - Upcoming Events
Sessions preceded by * are eligible for Pesticide Re-certification Credits.

amanda@cheshireconservation.org or call 603-756-2988 x4
Resources
coronavirus image from CDC
Payments, Grants & Loans
USDA Funding Announcements
Information for Animal Keepers
African Swine Fever Week
The week of September 13-17, APHIS is hosting African Swine Fever (ASF) Action Week to focus attention on the importance of preparedness and our ongoing, collaborative efforts to keep this disease out of the United States. Each day of Action week, we’ll be hosting a webinar with a different theme, and we’ll be sharing written materials and resources as well.
The Livestock Budget Estimator tool for Swine producers is designed to assist with budget planning for your pork operation. It is a Microsoft Excel based tool built around key areas that producers need to consider as they plan for and continually evaluate their production season. It combines in one place:
  • Marketing Goals
  • Production Goals (carcass or live weight)
  • Break-Evens of:
  • Net Farm Income
  • Cash Flow
Surveys
2022 MDACF Trades Show Survey
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry is currently planning an in-person event in January 2022 and seeks attendee insight. 
Are there activities, services, and topics that would help your farm, agricultural business or organization?  We want to know – tell us!
Please visit the MDACF Trades Show Webpage for ways to participate in the show, and event announcements throughout the year!
Equine Endocrine Diseases Surveys
Two surveys on knowledge of equine endocrine diseases. One for horse owners, barn owners, trainers or people involved in the horse business. and one for farriers and veterinarian. This is an effort to gather information about the knowledge that people have about equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). The surveys will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
Corn Earworm Management in Sweet Corn Needs Assessment
The Department of Entomology at University of Maryland, want to hear about your research and extension needs for improving corn earworm management in sweet corn throughout the Northeast. We appreciate your participation in this survey and will use results to address these needs. 
Maine Wholesale Supply Survey
Maine's Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources is seeking information about food producers with wholesale capacity within Maine's local food network.
Our goal is to gather information to help mitigate short-term supply chain issues across the state by providing food service providers, food distributors, and other Maine based businesses a snapshot of what opportunities are available for the bulk purchase of Maine-grown food.
See the collected data in real time on this temporary website.
Send any follow up questions to Alexander.Williams@Maine.gov.
Health Survey for Maine Women in Agriculture
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.
Greenhouse Biostimulants Survey
To better help vegetable and ornamental growers with the use of crop biostimulants, Muhammad Shahid, scientist at the New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station and State Specialist Greenhouse and Nursery, has started a research project for the effective and efficient use of various types of biostimulants. Please help us out by filling out this short survey on the use of biostimulants in vegetable and ornamental/nursery production:
New England Veg Management Guide: Input Needed
Let the authors of the New England Vegetable Management Guide know what you'd like to see from the next edition.
Hemp Grower Survey
A group of hemp university research and extension faculty are working on a series of hemp surveys in efforts to determine the types and distributions of major diseases and insects across the US and Canada. 
Edited by:
Donna Coffin, Extension Professor, donna.coffin@maine.edu
Jason Lilley, Extension Professional, jason.lilley@maine.edu
Rebecca Long, Extension Professional, rebecca.j.long@maine.edu 
Tori Jackson, Extension Professor, tori.jackson@maine.edu
Brian Erickson, Extension Professional,
Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.

Photos by Edwin Remsberg and others.
A message to our stakeholders:
As a valued UMaine Extension stakeholder, we just wanted to let you know that most county offices have reopened following Per University of Maine guidelines, face coverings are required indoors for any visitor or employee who is not fully vaccinated — on University or non-University property, in University administered facilities, or non-University administered facilities.
UMaine Extension is gradually returning to normal operations. Buildings and offices may have different protocols depending on staffing and, with that, we encourage you to call ahead.
Please contact UMaine Extension staff with any questions.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Penobscot County
307 Maine Ave Bangor, ME 04401 207-942-7396 or 800-287-1485

University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Piscataquis County
207-564-3301 or 800-287-1491 
Donna Coffin - Voicemail 207-262-7726

University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Cumberland County
(207) 781-6099 or 1-800-287-1471

University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Oxford County
207.743.6329 or 1.800.287.1482

University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Androscoggin / Sagadahoc Counties
207.353.5550 or 1.800.287.1458

University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Somerset County
207.474.9622 or 1.800.287.1495 (in Maine)
The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).