Have you been wondering how your farm worker pay rates compare to other farms in your area? You're not alone. In an effort to shed light on this topic, a survey was developed as a collaboration between the Maine Small Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and UMaine Cooperative Extension. It was distributed through mailing lists of these two groups as well as other agricultural service provider agencies and grower associations throu.The survey results include average pay rates and benefits offered across the state, regionally, and among small fruit and vegetable operations and potato producers. View the full 2021 Maine Farm Worker Compensation Survey results here.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer card (EBT) equipment is available to agricultural producers and farmers’ markets in Maine. Interested producers and farmers’ markets should visit the Farm Food Access Program (FFAP) website or call the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM) to learn about the options for cost-free equipment.

To learn more about the Farm Food Access Program and access the online application form, go to http://www.Maine.gov/dacf/ffap/

Learn more and apply visit bit.ly/braidingseedsfellowship

Request free fuel identification stickers and view all available safety stickers on the Maine AgrAbility website. For more information about the program, call 207.944.1533 or email maine.agrability@maine.edu. 

The Late Blight Hotline from UMaine Extension will send subscribers in the U.S. and Canada text messages with up-to-date late blight information from June 1, 2021 to June 1, 2022.

A one-year subscription is $10; standard message and data rates may apply. Subscribe and find more information on the program webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.554.4373 or stevenj@maine.edu.

These eleven courses are available to all certified pesticide applicators throughout New England. The courses are located on the eXtension website and can be accessed 24 hours a day. Each course is designed to be interactive, keeping the student engaged while involving them in the learning. The courses cost between $20-$40 per course (depending on the topic). Once the course is complete the student will take an assessment in which they will need to pass before a certificate of completion is awarded.

At the end of this project, each participant will have developed a personal risk management and marketing plan for their farm or ranch.

Alicyn Smart, Plant Pathologist and Director of the Plant Disease and Diagnostic Lab announced changes in the Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab submission form and website. They are now charging $20 for general out-of-state samples. The Maine lab will be receiving all plant disease samples from NH starting next month until November. There is still no charge for Maine general plant disease identification.

The lab can now accept hemp samples from ME but require a copy of the current license to accompany the sample.

Small Bites are short, informational articles with practical ideas about stress reduction, improved communication, and farm and family well-being. They are written by coaches from UMaine Extension’s Farm Coaching team. Farm Coaches are available at no cost to work remotely with farmers and farm teams.

This video about social sustainability includes ways to create equitable and fair systems for all farmers and why this is important for personal well being.

And this video focuses on stress that farmers experience. Be aware of your own signals and connect with those around you in case others may be struggling and too proud or fearful to reach out. 

Supports for mental health and well-being - Call the Strengthen ME support line (207-221-8198 , or The Maine Crisis Hotline or “71” for supports in Maine, and Farm Aid has a hotline (1-800-FARM-AID) just for farmers who want to talk about stresses and how to find support. 

The Farm Coaches can talk with you about changing up your routines, building in sustainable strategies for your farm, and talking about these issues with your staff. Reach out and we can find a time to Zoom, talk by phone, or visit the farm.

Are you looking to source a piglet for a 4-H project, or you want some feeder pigs to raise for fall. Or maybe you are uncertain about the food chain during the COVID-19 outbreak and want to raise your own food. Learn what you need to know before buying piglets from out of state. 4 pages. © 2020 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free

The Maine Beef Producers Association Sales page is now reopen to post beef animal for sale or to be bought. The MBPA Board decided at its May Meeting to allow anyone to post, MBPA membership is not required. In addition, in an effort to make posting easier, pictures are not required. Please include your name, location and contact information and what you are searching for or selling, Send to: sales@mainebeefproducersassociation.com.