Maine Farm News
Maine Farm News
September 18, 2021
In This Edition
ARTICLES
  • Drought Designation Declared in Maine
  • Growing Great Garlic in Maine
  • Your Input Needed for Maine Ag Trades Show Planning
  • CFAP 2: Payments Available
  • Farmers Invited to Apply for Sustainable Ag Grants
OTHER INFO
  • Upcoming Events
  • Resources
  • Payments Grants and Loans
  • Information for Livestock Keepers
  • Surveys
Maine Farm News
Field showing effects of drought
Drought Designation Declared in Maine
On September 9th, 2021 the USDA designated Oxford County as a primary natural disaster area due to the drought. Contiguous counties also eligible include Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin and York and Carroll and Coos counties of New Hampshire. As a result of this designation, producers in those counties are eligible for several financial assistance programs. Learn about the designation and programs available here, or contact your local FSA office.
Growing Great Garlic in Maine
Join Dave Fuller with UMaine Extension for a webinar session, October 7, on growing great garlic in Maine. We’ll cover every step of growing including variety choice, timing of planting, scape removal, dealing with diseases and when to harvest and store your garlic. Preregistration required.
Your Input Needed for Maine Ag Trades Show Planning
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!
CFAP 2: Payments Available
If you had a loss in sales in 2020 compared to 2018 OR 2019, you may be eligible for payments. This CFAP 2 program is separate from the CFAP 1, so reach out to your local FSA office, even if you received funding through CFAP 1. Get the full CFAP 2 program details here.
Farmers Invited to Apply for Sustainable Ag Grants
Northeast SARE Farmer Grants are for commercial producers who have an innovative idea they want to test using a field trial, on-farm demonstration, marketing initiative, or other technique.
 
Farmer Grant projects should seek new knowledge other farmers can use and address questions that are directly linked to improved profits, better stewardship, and stronger rural communities.

Proposals are due by 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. More information here and learn more about the Farmer Grant Program by attending this webinar hosted by NE SARE on Oct. 5.
 
Meetings - Webinars - Upcoming Events
Sessions preceded by * are eligible for Pesticide Re-certification Credits.
Resources
coronavirus image from CDC
Payments, Grants & Loans
USDA Funding Announcements
Information for Animal Keepers
New England Agricultural In- Service- Animal Health and Welfare’s Impact on Livestock Marketing
  
Find out how animal health and welfare practices and choices can determine your ability to bring animal products to market. We are pleased to have two excellent speakers knowledgeable in their topic areas and practical in their delivery.
  • Dr. Julie Smith, DVM, PhD, University of Vermont, will present on the role of biosecurity plans and permitting of movements to market animals or animal products during an emergency disease outbreak.
  • Dr. Don Hoenig, VMD, MIM Consulting, will speak on how animal welfare certifications work and what markets demand it.
How: Virtually on Zoom and pre-registration will be required. Watch for more information in late September 2021
Co-sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Trimming goat hooves allows your goats to have better hoof health and walk more naturally. This newly released video John Porter, UNH Extension Specialist Emeritus and Mike Rowley, UNH Extension Field Specialist explore how to properly handle a goat during trimming, explaining parts of the hoof and how to actually trim a goats hoof.
Surveys
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. 
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).