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INFORMATION FOR LIVESTOCK KEEPERS
SURVEYS
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Two New County Extension Staff |
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Brett Johnson, Sustainable Agriculture & Horticulture Professional in Somerset County started July 1.
Brett brings a rich background to the position. At Oklahoma State University, he received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources and in 2020 a Master of Science in Entomology and Plant Pathology. He had experience collaborating with Oklahoma Cooperative Extension, and served as a Native American Teaching Assistant at a Native American elementary school where he designed, planted, and managed an educational vegetable garden and taught lessons on native plants, interplanting, and pollinators.
In Maine, Brett has worked as a plant breeder technician at Johnny’s Seeds, and is currently the owner and operator of “For Good Measure Farm”, a MOFGA-certified organic farm in Burnham. Early in his career, Brett worked at the Interdisciplinary Center of Excellence Genetics, Genomics and Crop Improvement Division, International Potato Center (CIP) in Lima, Peru, where he participated in field experiments for improving disease resistance and heat tolerance in potato, and experiments to understand phenotypic response of potato varieties to late blight.
Brett is excited about creating and delivering farm and garden programming to growers and being an educational resource for Somerset County and UMaine Extension. We’re excited to have him join our team, and I know he is looking forward to coming on board. Please join me in welcoming Brett to UMaine Extension! His email address is: brett.w.johnson@maine.edu
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Nicholas Rowley, Sustainable Agriculture & Horticulture Professional in Franklin County started July 14.
Nick brings a rich background to the position. He has a B.S. in Environmental Horticulture and an M.S. in Plant, Soil & Environmental Science, both from UMaine. During and after his academic studies, Nick worked at Highmoor Farm in various roles, progressing from Apple Scout, to Field Technician, and Research Associate. Since 2020, Nick has served as UNH Cooperative Extension Food and Agriculture Field Specialist in Coos County, NH., where he served in a role similar to a Maine Extension Sustainable Ag and Hort Professional, and also served as the co-County Office Administrator (aka County Coordinator).
Nick says this position appeals to him because it involves working directly with audiences of all experience levels; and because it helps bridge the gap between growers, processors, markets and consumers while increasing interest, availability and knowledge at the community level. He’s looking forward to serving as a resource to people in the agricultural community, stakeholders and other clientele in a way that promotes local food, sustainability, profitable agriculture and horticulture businesses. He is a member of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA) and currently serves as State Communications Awards Chair.
Nick was raised in Monmouth and is excited to be returning to his home roots and central Maine family and friends. We’re excited to have him join our team, and I know he is looking forward to coming on board. Please join me in welcoming him home to Maine and UMaine Extension!
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Do you have your cover crop seed ordered and plans for when you'll get it in? The Cornell Climate Smart Tool Library has a tool to help you evaluate how late is too late for planting cover crops. This is an great tool to help determine when you'll get the most benefit for your effort planting different species of cover crops. Find the Winter Cover Crop Planting Scheduler and other climate smart farming tools at http://climatesmartfarming.org/tools/
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NEW! Maine Farmers’ Market Price Report! |
Made possible with funding through the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry and the support of the Maine Federation of Farmers Markets, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Maine Farmland Trust, and the University of Maine, this new site is now up and running, piloting a new statewide price report which will be focused on farmers market prices for a limited number of crops (in 2022), with the aim of building a tool that will expand into other markets and products in the future.
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Maine PFAS Farmer Wellness Fund Available |
The Maine PFAS Farmer Wellness Fund is still open for applications. The Maine PFAs Farmer Wellness Fund is part of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and Maine Farmland Trust PFAS Emergency Relief Fund. It is being administered in partnership with the Maine Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.
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Talking About Stress on the Farm |
Talking about stress is generally not a favorite subject. Stress can be uncomfortable, annoying, potentially embarrassing, and rarely energizing or creative. It is important to be able to ask your team and partners (and yourself!) about stress and stress patterns. How are people doing? Are there work-related stresses that people are holding? What is happening off the farm or in the larger community that contributes to the stress load of individuals?
How does each person on your team show their stress? Cope with stress? One person might get flustered and forgetful, another might work through lunch 3 days in a row, another might get testy and irritable. You can note how stress shows up in different people who are important to you and your business. You can also just ask: “When you are stressed, what does that look like?” You can ask: “Is there anything you need right now?”
That kind of caring, observation, and memory is helpful to you as a leader because it can help you be supportive and help navigate or assist people out of tight spots.
A little bit of stress can be a good thing and can lead to creativity and inspiration; mild stress can be motivating and clarifying, but chronic and heavy stress can be unhealthy and weigh individuals down. When we expand our awareness of stress patterns in the people we care about, our conversations broaden, we become better leaders and collaborators, and our businesses can be stronger.
How are you coping with the stresses on the farm and in your world?
Looking for a place to talk about your own stresses? Send an email to schedule a time to chat with a farm coach. Looking for a place to access wellness support and other resources for stress? Visit the UMaine Cooperative Extension website focused on Agricultural Wellness and Resilience!
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PathStone Corporation is a non-profit, community development and human service organization and we have recently expanded our services to include the state of Maine. Currently, we administer the National Farmworker Jobs Programs (NFJP) throughout the state.
Through the NFJP, we are able to deliver quality career and employment services that enhance the skills, performance, and potential of individuals. Ultimately leading to participants securing meaningful employment, at a livable wage, in a desired career. We partner with local organizations and service providers to provide funding opportunities in regards to workforce development for our participants. Services can include but are not limited to; certification classes, continuing education, on-the-job training opportunities, CDL classes, emergency services, job search and placement, amongst much more!
(207) 307-9471
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FSA Increasing Payment Rates |
To better capture current market values and investments producers have in the livestock they raise, USDA’s Farm Service Agency recently announced increased Livestock Indemnity Program payment rates for beef, beefalo, bison and dairy animals less than 250 pounds. These now-updated payment rates are reflective of the substantial increased cost of these non-adult livestock in 2022. Learn more.
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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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National Pork Board Survey |
The Pork Checkoff invites individuals that were former participants in junior swine projects to participate in a survey about your engagement with the swine industry over the years. Your responses will help the Pork Checkoff and state pork associations better understand how to engage with youth during and beyond their junior swine projects. Complete the survey for a chance to win a Pork Checkoff RTIC Cooler!
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Penobscot Livestock 4-H Club is once again gearing up to hold their project’s culminating event.
What: 10 top quality market steers and 11 outstanding market lambs that will be competing for the title of Grand Champion!
Where: Casa Cattle Company in Corinna will be hosting this event.
When:
- August 5th at 6 pm - Market Lamb Competition
- August 6th at 11 am - Market steer competition
- August 6th at 2 pm Market Livestock Auction - lamb and steer
These 4-Hers have been working on these animal projects for months and are excited to showcase what they have learned and grown! Please consider coming to this event to support these amazing youth!
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USDA Ag Marketing Service
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Are you a professional nursery grower or seller of ornamental plants? |
UMass researchers are conducting a study on the knowledge and practices of professionals with respect to invasive species and climate change. This survey closes next Wednesday, August 10th, 2022 and will take about 10-15 minutes to complete.
Please participate in this study if you are a professional at a nursery that sells ornamental plants and/or seeds. If you have any questions about the research prior to taking the survey, please contact the principal investigator, Dr. Tristan Fehr, at risccmanagement@gmail.com.
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Edited by:
Brett Johnson, Extension Professional,
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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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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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