Source: UMaine Extension Tick Lab Information Page

It's the time of year that new crew members are coming on, field tasks need to get done in a hurry, and systems are being figured out. What does your equipment use training look like? Prioritizing time to clearly train your crew on equipment use expectations can help you avoid serious injuries to your crew and family, and can help avoid expensive damage to the equipment.

This tractor pre-operational checklist is one tool to encourage everyone to takenotice of dangerous conditions, and maintenance needs. View and print the checklist here.

Incorporating safety trainings into your weekly routine is another great way to foster a culture of safety and avoid accidents on the farm. Ohio State has compiled a list of brief tailgate training materials that you can use during your morning meetings.

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. 

Maine AgrAbility, a nonprofit collaboration of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Alpha One, assists farmers, fishermen and forest workers to overcome disabilities, injuries or other barriers so they can continue to work safely and productively in agriculture. This material is supported by a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under sponsored project number 2018-41590-28715.

To quantify how this is affecting Maine farms, a widespread group of service providers released and analyzed a survey in the Winter of 2020- '21. The results of that survey document the experiences of agricultural producers from a variety of sectors in Maine, specifically their experiences with drought and its effects in 2020 and the five years prior. Read the report and results here.

Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking farmers, foresters, wildlife specialists, ecologists, conservation enthusiasts, and community members of both Androscoggin and Sagadahoc county to attend board meetings and join the board of supervisors.

The conservation district’s main aim is to teach best practices of land use to maintain its fertility, while improving resilience against flooding, erosion and drought, all in order to uphold optimal water quality.

Board meetings are held monthly via Zoom every third Thursday of the month from 7-9 p.m. Email District Manager Mackenzie Richard at districtmanager@androscogginswcd.org for more information.

USDA is taking this action in response to Executive Order 14017, America’s Supply Chains, signed by President Biden on Feb. 24, 2021. The request for comments is published today in the Federal Register and the comment period will close on May 21, 2021.

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 winter, I have seen and participated in groups of farmers coming together in workshops offered through MOFGA, Soul Fire Farm and others to learn about the history of racism and colonialism in farming. These groups also train farmers in strategizing with other farmers about how to shift toward more equitable actions, agreements and practices. There is a lot for us white folks to learn. MOFGA has put together an incredible learning guide that could be used on farms, in farmer groups and in the broader community to challenge and change some long-held, convenient and oppressive patterns. Food Systems New England is winding down the 7th year of the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge, and it’s not too late to tune in and join this opportunity for self-reflection and personal growth.

Looking for a space to reflect and do some inquiry about your farm and equity? The farm coaches can help and refer you to opportunities in Maine and more. 

MOFGA, MFT, CDI, and CEI are conducting research on the impacts of COVID-19 on our food system and markets. As a valued farmer in the state of Maine, you are invited to participate in this survey. We greatly appreciate your feedback and contribution to this project. All individual survey responses will remain confidential.

Here is the link to the survey:

There will be a raffle form linked at the end of this survey that will enter you to win one of 30 $100 Gift Cards! The responses to this survey will remain strictly anonymous.

Please contact Sarah Simon (ssimon@mainefarmlandtrust.org) if you have any questions.

4^th Cattlemen’s College brought to you by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Beef Producers Association. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we are trying out a new format. We have invited knowledgeable guest speakers from across the country. All videos are recorded, and they will be available to view anytime until May 3, 2021. If you enjoy these talks, please consider donating to the Maine Beef Producers Scholarship Fund. You can make donations through the “Donate” button found at the Maine Beef Producer’s Association Website – https://mainebeefproducersassociation.com/cattlemenscollege.php

In addition to the invited speakers, we will be hosting an online youth beef judging class. Youth Clubs and Individual youth members are encouraged to register and participate in an online judging event where youth will place a class of market steers and give reasons why they ranked the animals the way they did. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top participants in both the Youth Club and Youth Individual classes. Adults may participate for bragging rights only.

Pineland Natural Meat has generously agreed to match the cash prize awarded by the Maine Beef Producers Association.

This year, Pine Ridge Acres in Cumberland, Maine, has donated a Simmental/Angus Cross grass-fed calf to auction off for the Maine Beef Producers Scholarship Fund. Details are on the Maine Beef Producers Association website.

The Maine Beef Producers Association will also be hosting a silent auction to benefit the MBPA Youth Scholarship Fund. For more information, visit Youth Scholarship Fundraiser on their website.

For more information on the Cattlemen's College, contact Melissa Babcock at melissa.libby1@maine.edu or 207.581.2788.