Maine Weather and Climate

Abundant rainfall over the past month has brought soil moisture, streamflows, and

groundwater levels to normal or above normal nearly everywhere across Maine. In

turn, the U.S. Drought Monitor does not show any drought signal in the state.

However, there may be some localized areas, particularly in York and Cumberland

counties, where groundwater may not have fully recovered, and where year-to-date

accumulated precipitation deficits still remain. Additional information can be found

on the Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard.

Unseasonable warmth of the past month has ended and now it’s feeling like late

November! The latest NOAA/NWS 10-day forecast shows a cold pattern with below

or normal temperatures persisting into the middle of next week. Temperatures in

the north will generally stay below freezing, and with the recent snowstorm one

might say that winter has arrived. Temperatures in the southern half of the state

are forecast to get a few degrees above freezing midday (and around 40°F in

southernmost areas). This is the time of year when the south-north temperature

gradient across the state is large – AM temps in Cumberland County forecast in the

20s, and in Aroostook low teens or single digits. A warm wave is forecast to develop

Wednesday – Friday with the potential for precipitation (rain in the south, rain or

mix in the north). As always, check weather.gov for the latest weather forecasts for

your area.

The NOAA/National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center 8–14 day outlook

probability maps (issued November 16, valid November 24–30) show below normal

temperature and above normal precipitation. The three-month seasonal outlook

product for December – February (issued November 17) shows leaning toward

above normal temperature statewide and equal chance above or below normal

precipitation across the southern half of the state, and leaning toward above normal

precipitation in the north.

Sean Birkel, Assistant Extension Professor, Maine State Climatologist, Climate

Change Institute, Cooperative Extension University of Maine. For climate/weather

questions related to agriculture, send Sean e-mail at birkel@maine.edu

New Dairy Forage Educator Jaime Garzon

Originally from Bogota (Colombia), Dr. Jaime Garzon graduated as Zootechnician (B.S. in Animal Sciences) and got a master’s degree in Animal Production at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. His research project evaluated the performance of cool and warm-season forages and greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture. During that time, Dr. Garzon also participated in two internships at the Instituto Nacional de Investigacion Agropecuaria (Uruguay), and the UF North Florida Research and Education Center (Marianna, FL), working with pastures, rangelands, and livestock management. In 2018, Dr. Garzon was awarded the Fulbright-ICETEX Pasaporte a la Ciencia scholarship, which allowed him to start his Ph.D. in Agronomy at the University of Florida. His dissertation evaluated the ecosystem services provided by bahiagrass pastures overseeded with aeschynomene, a warm-season legume adapted to soils with poor drainage.

Dr. Garzon became an Assistant Extension Professor and Dairy Forage Educator at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension in November 2022. His extension program seeks to develop and conduct educational outreach and applied research with emphasis on dairy forage production and regenerative pasture management, in the New England dairy industry.

USDA Previews Programs for Producers Recovering from Natural Disasters & Coronavirus Pandemic

The Emergency Relief Program (ERP) will offset crop and revenue losses occurring as the result of wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, winter storms, freeze, smoke exposure, excessive moisture, and qualifying droughts experienced during the calendar years 2020 and 2021. Producers have until Friday, December 16, 2022 to contact their local USDA Service Center to apply for ERP phase 1 program benefits.

The Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) will assist eligible producers of agricultural commodities who experienced decreased revenue in calendar year 2020 compared to 2018 and 2019 as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications for PARP are not yet being accepted but producers who anticipate eligibility are encouraged to prepare by gathering supporting tax documents.

You can find the USDA’s full announcement here.

Apples and Wild Blueberry Crop Insurance Deadline - Nov 20

The USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Maine apple and blueberry growers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2023 crop year is November 20. Current policyholders who wish to make changes to their existing policies also have until November 20 to do so. For more information

Accepting Maine Produce Safety Improvement Grants. Deadline Dec. 31

The Maine Produce Safety Improvement Grants (MPSIG) is designed to help any specialty crop growers i.e, growers of fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops to:

• Implement on-farm food safety practices;
• Transition to compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR);
• Meet market demands for on-farm food safety.

Eligibility:

Proposed projects are restricted to improving the food safety of specialty crops. We will be awarding grants up to $10,000 to 15 farms. Prior awardees are not eligible.

Allowed Project Investments:

• Plastic Harvest Totes
• Stainless Steel Handwashing Sinks
• Small Greens Bubblers 
• Salad Spinners
• Stainless Steel Tables and Carts

The application deadline is December 31st. See more information and apply here.

Maine Soil Health Project Applications Due Nov. 30th

In partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and the Maine Organic Farmer and Gardeners Association, grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to 17 farmers for the purpose of reimbursing approved expenses for improving soil health. Technical assistance will also be provided for participants to develop soil health improvement plans, magnifying the impact of the direct investment.

This grant is designed to help specialty crop growers i.e, growers of fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture but excluding commodity crops) to implement healthy soil practices. Applications are due November 30th. See more details and apply here.

Free Testing for High Tunnel Soilbourne Diseases

If you grow high tunnel veggies and have been experiencing disease issues or are wondering if there are soilborne pathogens present, here’s an opportunity to find out for free. Samples are wanted for a multi-state USDA funded project on soilborne diseases occurring in high tunnel vegetable crops. It will be valuable to find out what pathogens are present in our region, and how the situation here compares to other regions. Anna Testen is accepting samples this fall through February 2023. 

If you have questions or would like to participate, please contact Anna directly:

Testen, Anna - ARS <Anna.Testen@usda.gov>

Mobile: 330-641-2862

GenerationNext Seminars 

• In Person: Waterville: Dec 7, 28, and Jan 25
• In-Person: Presque Isle: Dec 8, 29, and Jan 26
• Virtual (8 sessions): January 12 through March 2. Thursdays, 1-3pm.

Fee: $199 (Free for Maine farmers) for 1 in-person series or 1 virtual series

GenerationNext is a series of seminars, hosted by Farm Credit East, geared towards farm workers or farm owners, designed to advance your management skills and farm business knowledge. Each seminar includes group discussions, idea sharing, and networking opportunities. The Maine New Farmers Project is offering a full scholarship for any new farmer in Maine to attend one of the seminars listed above. (Farmers pay when registering and get refunded after participating). For more information and registration.

Boots 2 Bushels: Boot Camp for Market Gardeners 2023

January-September 2023

Using the “5 F’s” of farming risk (Farming, Family, Finances, Fitness, Future) as a guide, participants will acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully grow produce for small-scale private or commercial fruit and vegetable production. Boots 2 Bushels is open to ALL beginning farmers, with an emphasis on veterans, their family members, and farmers with a disability. Seats fill up fast, so check this out today! FMI and Registration

Contribute to Resilience Research in Maine Agriculture

Current Maine farmworker and Peace and Reconciliation Graduate student, Izzy Ruffin, is launching a research project focused on understanding the role of resilience in Maine agriculture through place-based and culture-centered methodologies. The research project includes an anonymous electronic survey (closing on Dec. 31, 2022) and a separate place-based digital interviewing project documenting stories of resilience, community and hardship in Maine agriculture (conducted until Feb. 28, 2023). Participants must be 18 years of age and self-define as part of Maine’s agricultural community. 

Visit the official survey link for more information and to participate in the anonymous electronic survey. The survey will take 10-20 minutes to complete. For interested parties of the digital interviewing project, please visit the Humans of Maine Agriculture interest form. If there are any questions about the project, please contact the lead researcher by email at isabel.ruffin@maine.edu.

New Ag Wellness Social Media

Why is Farm Wellness so important? Taking care of ourselves, mentally and physically, is necessary for our own success. Our success impacts the farm, which wouldn't exist without us. We are an important piece of the puzzle. A healthy farm is nothing without a healthy farmer. Follow @mainefarmwellness for more.

Congratulations to NESARE Grad Student Grant

Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) is pleased to announce the Graduate Student Research Grant projects recommended for funding for 2022. Thirty-one projects were selected for a total of $458,042.

In Maine:

Katie Ashley and advisor Dr. Jianjun Hao of University of Maine were awarded $14,620 for the project, “Investigating Lobster Byproducts as Soil Amendments for Disease Suppression and Soil Health Improvement in Potato Production."

Animal Antibiotic Drug Changes

Antibiotics used to treat livestock will soon require a prescription from a veterinarian. There are also upcoming label changes related to cattle implants. During Animal Antibiotic and Drug Label Changes, you will learn how these changes will affect your operation and when they will go into effect.

When?

December 6th 7 pm to 8 pm by Zoom

Who is this for?

• Livestock producers
• Dairy producers
• Swine producers

What will you learn?

• When the regulation goes into effect
• What products are included in the regulation
• Why these regulations have been put into place

This event is being offered at no charge to participants. Registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar. Registrants will also receive access to the webinar recording.