Due to limited space, priority will be given to 14- and 15- year olds. However, anyone 14 years old and older who is interested in learning to safely operate a farm tractor should apply. Apply and learn more online.

FSA’s Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) provides low-

interest financing so producers can build or upgrade facilities to

store certain commodities. Maple sap and maple syrup are both

eligible, and equipment and facilities such as sap tanks, certain

hauling trucks, and storage space for maple syrup qualify. Eligible facilities and equipment may be new or used, permanently affixed, or portable. The maximum loan amount for storage facilities is $500,000 for qualifying producers. The maximum loan amount for storage and handling trucks is $100,000. FSA also offers a microloan option for loans with a total balance up to $50,000.

Contact your local FSA office for more details.

Interested in participating? Apply here by 4/9!

Applications for NRCS’ Conservation Stewardship Program Classic are due by April 23, 2021.  NRCS-Maine has an allocation of $585,000 for this year’s CSP-Classic obligations, of which $300,000 is specifically for organic producers. Through CSP, agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities like cover crops, ecologically-based pest management, buffer strips, and pollinator and beneficial insect habitat – all while maintaining active agricultural or forest production on their land. CSP also encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and new management techniques such as precision agriculture applications, on-site carbon storage and planting for high carbon sequestration rate, and new soil amendments to improve water quality. Please visit this page for more on CSP.

Gearing up to hire for the season? Checkout the resources available from the Farm Labor Link Network, including self-assessment materials to help determine if farming is a suitable endeavor, opportunities for additional professional training though internships, apprenticeships, and course work, and where to find job openings. There is also considerable information to support new Mainers, those with disabilities, and veterans employed in agriculture.

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.

Farm Coaching is a place where farm teams can come together to learn something new and gain new skills and tools to go forward together. Farm Coaching helps teams grow stronger and smarter and kinder, together. Call the farm coaches to see what can work for you.

Wolfe's Neck Center is working to create a course for “management-ready” farm employees and wants to hear from farmers in the state of Maine about the demand, availability, cost and value of skilled labor and experienced personnel for a farm business. Take the survey here.

The Maine Departments of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; Marine Resources; and Economic and Community Development invite you to help identify how best to support your industry, should any federal or state funding become available to support investment in Maine's heritage industries. 

4 question survey on your interest in the strawberry research at UMaine. Several incentives for survey participants.

Registration required. A $5 donation for the Maine Beef Producers Association Scholarship Fund is optional. Donate here.

The Maine Cattlemen’s College will provide up-to-date information to Maine beef cattle producers and allow Maine beef cattle producers an opportunity to meet leaders in the industry and fellow producers to share ideas and innovations. All proceeds to benefit the Maine Beef Producers Association Scholarship Fund.

Join us for the 4th Maine Cattlemen’s College online. This year, we have invited speakers from Maine and beyond to present on important topics related to the beef cattle industry.

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.