Maine Weather and Climate

As shown on the Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard, the precipitation drought in Maine has ended, and streamflow and groundwater measurements indicate normal or above normal conditions statewide. However, year-to-date accumulated precipitation deficits remain in southwestern counties. But for the most part, the current hydrologic conditions are favorable as winter sets in and the ground is begins to freeze, albeit later than usual.

The first significant snowstorm of the season has arrived! The National Weather Service (NWS) predicts 8–12” across northern and western Maine, 6–8” across central areas, and a steep snowfall gradient from the immediate coast inland.  Snow consistency will range from moderate to heavy wet. Refer to the NWS Caribou and Gray winter weather pages for additional information. Otherwise, the weather forecast for next week shows above normal temperatures ranging in the mid 20s to low 30s °F through Wednesday, followed by a cold wave that will bring below normal temperatures with highs generally in the teens and lows in the single digits by Friday. 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 December 14, valid December 22–28) show below normal temperature and above normal precipitation. The three-month seasonal outlook maps for January ­– March (issued December 15) show above normal temperature and equal chance of above or below normal precipitation.

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.

Drought Info Session at Agriculture Trade Show

The Maine Climate and Agriculture Network (MECAN) at the University of Maine is hosting a drought information & management conference session at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Tuesday January 10th, 1:15-3:30pm in the Washington/York room. The event includes four educational talks, followed a panel discussion with producers on the topic “Dealing with Too Little or Too Much Water”. Learn more about the event here.

Farm Succession Planning Webinar Series

Hosted by Land For Good, this four-part online series is designed for transitioning farmers and new generation farmers to learn the basics of farm succession planning, how to get started and where to find support with resources, tips, financial and legal considerations, and more. Registration required. Free.

• Session 1 - Getting Started & Financial Considerations: Resources, Tips and Where to Get Assistance
• Session 2 - Financial, Retirement & Tax Considerations: Taxes, Viability and Retirement 
• Session 3 - Legal Considerations: Business Entities, and Estate Planning
• Session 4 - Farmer Panel: Successes & Challenges: Several farmers will present their succession experience.

Journeyperson Program

MOFGA’s Journeyperson Program now accepting applications. Administered by farmer programs staff, this two-year program is designed for those who have at least one year experience in Maine with their own established farm business and secure land tenure. The program provides holistic support for farmers including support in accessing land, capital, business planning, mentorship and one-on-one technical assistance alongside a network of farmers. The program allows participants to attend our Farm Beginnings course, receive a $500 education stipend, choose a mentor for the second year and more. Application deadline: January 31, 2023. Please contact Bo Dennis, Beginning Farmer Programs Specialist, at bdennis@mofga.org with any questions.

Farms for the Future Grant

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources is welcoming applications for the Farms for the Future (FFF) program.

FFF is designed to provide successful applicants with the technical assistance and financial resources needed to identify, explore, and implement a change to their farm business that will lead to greater profitability and a more viable operation.

The Phase 1 Grant is a planning grant for $6,000. Recipients can use these dollars to test or explore a new idea and to get 1-on-1 tailored business planning support from qualified service providers. Phase 2 recipients are eligible for a $25,000 cash grant and a subsidized 2% interest rate when borrowing from DACF’s Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund.

Information on applying available here. Applications due Feb. 6, 2023.

Vegetable Seed Production Course and Mentorship Available to Growers Throughout the Northeast

In order to increase the number of growers able to produce high quality, regionally adapted seed in the northeast, a group of educators, experienced seed producers, and regional seed companies will be working together to offer training in seed production and a guaranteed market for specific seed crops during 2023 and 2024. More info here.

Farm Skills Training Program

Administered by Merrymeeting Food Council, the Farm Skills Training Program is a paid opportunity which will train participants in the skills necessary to work on farms. Training will include 40-plus hours on a farm with additional off-farm training. Pay is $14/hour, and participants also receive individual training from a career advisor. The program will run from mid-March to early June 2023. Application deadline: February 1, 2023. 

Farmer-Led Innovations in Tillage Reduction for Organic Vegetable Production

The New England Climate and Agriculture team at American Farmland Trust has an opportunity for Massachusetts and Maine organic vegetable farmers to receive financial awards and facilitated peer-to-peer support for advancing tillage reduction strategies on their farms. 

The Farmer-Led Innovations in Tillage Reduction program will offer eight farmers (MA and ME only) a $5000 Innovation Award and participation in a 2-year peer working group program. 

Awardees will commit to:

• participating in this peer working group to share ideas and support,
• offering one field walk to showcase their trials, and
• being featured in one video about farmer experimentation for tillage reduction in organic vegetable production.

Applications due Jan. 11, 2023. Please contact Julie Fine with questions: jfine@farmland.org or 413-206-4023.

Greenhouse Plastic Recycling

Now administered by MOFGA, this statewide collection program is accepting bundles of low-density polyethylene (LDPE#4) clear film used to cover greenhouses, high tunnels and other agricultural structures. We will also accept white overwintering LDPE#4 film. Bundles can be dropped off on pallets at the red MOFGA barn across from 210 Crosby Brook Road in Unity. Please register bundles and drop-off date using this form.

2022 Census of Agriculture



The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Even small plots of land - whether rural or urban - growing fruit, vegetables or some food animals count if $1,000 or more of such products were raised and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the Census year. The Census of Agriculture, taken only once every five years, looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures. For America’s farmers and ranchers, the Census of Agriculture is their voice, their future, and their opportunity.

The Ag Census was mailed out in November by USDA NASS (National Agricultural Statistics Service). You can complete the Ag Census online and save time. Just use the survey code included in your mailing to start your survey at the Ag Census Respondent Portal. The data from this Ag Census will be released in spring or summer of 2024.

2019 Organic Survey



USDA NASS just released the 2019 Organic Survey of farms that use organic practices to produce crops and livestock. This survey is not as detailed as the 2022 Census of Agriculture and only includes data for states, not counties.

This report also includes charts of the percent of various organic agriculture crops and livestock enterprises that were reported sold in the 2019 Organic Survey.

Certified Crop Advisor Training



A two-day training for agriculture service providers in the Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) program will be held Jan. 25–26 at the Holiday Inn in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Presentations will be made by experts from schools and businesses across New England, including University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association, Northern Tilth, University of New Hampshire Extension, American Farmland Trust, University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts and University of Vermont.

The program will focus on crop and forage production, soil quality, precision agriculture, pest management and more. Visit the event website for a full agenda. Continuing Education Units and Pesticide Applicator Recertification credits have been requested. 

Registration cost for the two days is $300; $150 for one day. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more information or to request reasonable accommodation, contact John Jemison, 207.581.3241; jemison@maine.edu.

Tool to Help Choose the Livestock Enterprise for You

Purdue Extension has an Excel spreadsheet they call “Purdue Comparative Decision Support (PCDS) Matrix” that you can type in the amount of land you have available and the amount of money you have available to invest in a new enterprise. It comes with a factsheet explaining how to use the PCDS Matrix and several support factsheets on individual enterprises.

Small-scale Livestock Enterprises: Tools for Choosing the Right Enterprise for You – EC 800-W

• Cow-Calf Enterprise Budget
• Dairy Steer Enterprise Budget
• Sheep Enterprise Budget
• Goat Enterprise Budget
• Turkey Enterprise Budget

This tool package and website were made possible through a North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) grant.

New England Grazing Network Conference (virtual)

January 20th and 21st, 2023 

Presented by the members of the New England Grazing Network and a region-wide network of organizations, technical service providers, and farmers.

Topics:

• Three Rules of Adaptive Stewardship
• Meat Production – Product Quality
• Balancing Work, Rest, & Play
• Grazing Focused Work in the Northeast
• Grazing Fundamentals
• 50 Shades of Graze
• Improving Biodiversity of Forage Stands
• Birthing on Pasture

For more information and to register visit the webpage