ARTICLES
OTHER INFO
- Upcoming Events
- Resources
- Payments Grants and Loans
INFORMATION FOR LIVESTOCK KEEPERS
SURVEYS
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FSA's Emergency Livestock Relief Program |
The Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) is part of FSA’s implementation of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 117-43), which provides $10 billion in much needed emergency assistance for agricultural producers, including $750 million specifically targeted for livestock producers impacted by the severe drought or eligible wildfire
Producers who have approved applications through the 2021 Livestock Forage Disaster Program for losses of grazing acres due to severe drought or wildfire will soon begin receiving disaster assistance payments for increases in supplemental feed costs in 2021 through the ELRP. Contact your local FSA office for more info.
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Jumpstart to Food Safety Project |
Looking for support developing your food safety plans? This project will fund an Extension Educator, trained in Produce Safety, to work with you one-on-one on your individualized farm food safety plan. Fill out the form linked below to apply for the project.
Participation is on a first-come-first-served basis, as well as farm size (small to medium-sized farms, not fully covered by FSMA, will be given preference).
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Value-Added Producer Grant Open Now |
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Applications are being accepted now.
If you were unable to attend the live Zoom Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) discussion, the recording is now available. You can access it here: Zoom Recording and the passcode is: viS=F8kD
Electronic applications that are submitted through grants.gov are due on April 25, 2022.
Ivana Hernandez Clukey, RD USDA
Phone: (207) 990-9127
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Childcare in Farming Discussion Group |
Participate in a focus group to share your thoughts on connecting childcare sites to farmers and/or producers. These discussions are an opportunity for you to provide your thoughts on future programming and connecting with a new market.
These discussions will take place on zoom and last approximately one hour. We will cap attendance at 10 people per session so that everyone has a chance to participate. To thank you for your participation, you will receive an egift card of $50.
Please click on the link to register and we will send the zoom info.
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Farm Labor Online Discussions |
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host online discussions on Farm Labor Guidelines on April 19 and 21 with Brian Cleasby from the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD).
- April 19 session will focus on the requirements of the H-2A program
- April 21 session will cover the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
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4-H Agriculture Symposium |
University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H is offering an agricultural symposium for Maine teens April 18–19.
The 4-H Agriculture Symposium is an overnight experience for Maine youth ages 14–18. Participants will take part in hands-on learning opportunities, engage with industry professionals on the UMaine and University of Maine at Augusta-Bangor campuses, develop leadership skills and make friendships with teens from throughout the state. Current 4-H membership is not required. Assistance with transportation can be provided upon request.
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Sign up for Open Farm Day |
Now is the time! This annual event happens the fourth Sunday in July (7/24/2022 this year). There is no fee to join promotions, but you must opt in via Real Maine.
The sign up steps differ for those with who currently have a listing, and those who don't. Please, start here:
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Meetings - Webinars - Upcoming Events |
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Sessions preceded by ** are eligible for Pesticide Re-certification Credits.
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Fact Sheets, Websites, Videos, Etc.
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USDA Funding Announcements |
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Information for Animal Keepers |
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Renovating an Old Pasture or Hayfield |
Most hayfields are perennial sods consisting of clovers (red and white) and grasses (bluegrass, orchard grass, quackgrass, and timothy). Over time (without mowing) woody species begin to invade (alders, birches, and poplars are common). Bluegrass begins to dominate all other species. Many perennial weeds also become prevalent, including milkweed, bedstraw, dandelions and red sorrel. Without additions of limestone, soils in neglected fields become more acidic. This favors numerous weed populations, including bedstraw. Frost action may also begin to bring large rocks to the surface.
If you have time, and the field is smooth enough for your purposes, regular mowing (three times per season) plus appropriate fertilizer and lime additions will produce a good field in three to four years.
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HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA - Maine Update |
Avian Influenza (AI) is a contagious type A influenza (“flu”) virus of birds that occurs worldwide and is not uncommon in wild birds of many types.
As a flu virus, AI replicates in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, so it is spread via respiratory droplets, saliva, mucus, and manure. It may also be capable of airborne spread if conditions allow (for instance, when very high amounts of virus are being produced). Contaminated surfaces, feed, water, environments, and items such as tools or workers’ boots can also spread the disease. Influenza viruses can survive for extended periods of time in cool, moist environments like wet bedding, manure, and mud. Regular sanitation and disinfection practices can help prevent spread of AI via this route.
As a small flock owner, how would I know if my birds have Avian Influenza?
AI is something to keep in mind, should you notice respiratory disease in birds, but it’s not the only cause of respiratory symptoms or diarrhea in birds. There are several forms of influenza (AI) that can affect poultry: relatively non-pathogenic (low path AI; LPAI) and the more dangerous form (high path AI; HPAI). If you see severe illness and sudden death losses in your flock, you should call the regional USDA hotline: 866.536.7593, and also let your farm vet know. If your flock is experiencing losses, but you doubt that they are due to HPAI, then you should have a necropsy conducted; the University of Maine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory can assist farmers in our region. As well, now is a great time to review your poultry management to ensure the safety of your birds; we call this biosecurity.
Current Situation
- The DACF's March 31st update, USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in samples taken from nine small flocks of non-commercial backyard birds (non-poultry) in Lincoln County, Knox, York, Cumberland, and Washington Counties.
- DACF Animal Health placed the properties under quarantine, and humane depopulation efforts have been completed.
- Additional safety measures were implemented, including monitoring properties with domestic flocks within a 10 km radius and notifying bird owners of the importance of proactive safety measures to help prevent disease.
- The risk for HPAI remains high, and backyard flock and commercial operators are advised to keep birds indoors to prevent the spread of this disease.
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All confirmed HPAI cases will be listed on the regularly updated USDA APHIS website.
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Do You Sell Finished Hogs the Summer of 2020? |
The Spot Market Hog Pandemic Program (SMHPP) is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative and addresses gaps in previous assistance for hog producers who experienced financial losses on hogs sold between April 16, 2020 and Sept. 1, 2020.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications through April 29, 2022.
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Beginning Farmer Training Needs Survey |
If you have been farming for under 10 years, UMaine Extension needs YOUR input! UMaine Cooperative Extension: Equipping New Farmers with Practical Skills and Knowledge is a newly funded project to help new and developing farmers get trained in agriculture. We are asking for your help in identifying skills and knowledge needs that you have.
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Commercial Elderberry Grower Survey |
You are invited to participate in a research study. The research is being conducted by Tori Lee Jackson, Extension Professor of Agriculture & Natural Resources with UMaine Cooperative Extension, and Rosalie Wilson of Rose Wilson Consulting LLC, two of the authors of the 2016 Elderberry Production Guide published by The University of Vermont.
We are reaching out to commercial elderberry producers across New England to ascertain the overall health of the elderberry industry in our region.
Please click on the link below to learn more about the study and to take the survey
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Penquis Beekeepers Survey |
Penquis Beekeepers is a diverse group of mostly backyard beekeepers located in central Maine. Our ever-continuing goal is to foster and promote successful beekeeping in our local communities. The purpose of this survey is to help us determine how best to accomplish that with and for our members, using various online tools for sharing information, fostering discussions, and providing education and assistance.
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USDA Ag Marketing Service
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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.
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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.
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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
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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). |
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