Maine Weather and Climate

November was unseasonably warm during the first half of the month, where some days brought record or near record high temperatures in the high 60s or low 70s °F statewide. A moderate cool wave followed with seasonable temperatures, and then the past week brought unseasonable warmth to the southern half of the state with daytime temperatures reaching into the 50s on November 27th and 30th. Rainfall during the past few weeks has brought streamflows and groundwater levels to normal or above normal, and in turn the U.S. Drought Monitor map is blank for Maine. However, there may be 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.

The NOAA/NWS forecast shows rain and wind statewide on Saturday with high temperatures ranging from the low 50s to low 40s south to north, followed by a cold front bringing more seasonable daytime temperatures on Sunday ranging mid 30s to low 20s south to north. Another warm wave is forecast to develop on Monday and temperatures could stay above freezing across the state Tuesday – Thursday with daytime highs ranging from around 50 south and low 40s north. The remainder of the 10-day forecast shows a cold wave developing next weekend.  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 30, valid December 8–14) show below normal temperature and below 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

SARE Publishes New Guide to Scaling Up Your Vegetable Farm for Wholesale Markets

This bulletin is intended to introduce interested small and mid-sized direct market farmers to the many business and production related considerations that come with growing for wholesale markets. Specific topics include clarifying goals, assessing your farm operations readiness to scale up, and characteristics of wholesale markets.

You can find the SARE bulletin here.

Resource for Creating Safety for Youth Farm Workers

If you have youth working on your farm, have you considered the different jobs that may or may not be safe for them? Size, strength, reaction time, decision making skills, susceptibility to peer-pressure, and experience are all reasons that some jobs are not suitable for youth. There are also differences in training and supervision needs.

The National Children's Center and the National Farm Medicine Center have released a great resource on Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines to highlight key considerations for what tasks are safe for youth by age. The resource also lists recommended supervisor responsibilities and expectations by youth age group. The guide is broken down by farm production type and farm task. Check it out here.

Maine Soil Health Project Applications Deadline Extended to Dec. 31

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 December 31st. See more details and apply here.

MOFGA Journeyperson Program Accepting Applications

Journeyperson Program: MOFGA seeks applicants who are serious about operating farm businesses in Maine that will make significant contributions to the agricultural community and economy. While open to farms at any stage of development, the program is best utilized by those who have an established farm business with secure land tenure and will use this program as a tangible step toward achieving their farm goals. Applications due Jan. 31. More information.

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

Maine Farmland Trust 2023 Farm Business Planning Courses

Business of Farming - Registration open until Friday, 12/16

Business of Farming is a year-long business planning program combining workshops, technical assistance and a seed grant. This program is for experienced farmers who want to analyze their current business model and use the information for decision-making. There are two cohorts to choose from; diversified farm businesses and livestock producers.

Farming for the Long Haul - Applications due Sunday, 12/11

Farming for the Long Haul is a two year business planning program for experienced farmers that combines technical assistance, peer learning, and an opportunity to apply for a grant to implement your business plan. This program is for farmers looking for support with business and financial planning to achieve long-term viability.

Animal Health Officials Remind Bird Owners to Protect Flocks from HPAI 

Maine Animal Health officials with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) remind commercial and backyard flock owners to keep birds indoors to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). In November there was a detection of HPAI in a small, non-commercial group of backyard birds in Washington County.

For a snapshot of HPAI in Maine, frequently asked questions, and additional HPAI resources, visit maine.gov/dacf/hpai. 



To report sick poultry or unusual domestic bird deaths, call the USDA's toll-free hotline at 1-866-536-7593. 

To report a strange-acting or dead wild bird, call the MDIFW at (207) 287-8000. After hours, evenings, and on weekends, please call (800) 452-4664. 

USDA NIFA awards $668K to UMaine researchers studying hay spoilage in alfalfa relative to grasses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $668,456 to a team of University of Maine researchers studying new ways to reduce spoilage in high-m Certain preservatives like propionic acid, and its buffered salts, have been shown to be more helpful than others to keep high-moisture hay mold-free.

This grant will allow the researchers to evaluate the efficacy of propionic acid and its buffered salts at preserving nutrients during the storage of alfalfa and grass hay and compare its effectiveness against other treatments. moisture hay, and how spoilage processes differ in alfalfa relative to grass hays.

Through the USDA NIFA grant, the research and extension team also aims to raise awareness on the consequences of hay spoilage and the proper utilization of preservatives to mitigate nutrient losses among alfalfa hay producers in the Northeast and North Central regions.