Maine Farm News
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Maine Farm News
January 15, 2022
In This Edition
ARTICLES
  • Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program
  • Green Industry Survey
  • New Extension Soil Health Short Course
  • Free Succession Planning Webinar Series
  • Whole Farm Planning for LGBTQ+ Farmer Communities
  • Avian Influenza Found in Newfoundland, CA
  • Northeast Cover Crop Council Conference Registration Open!
  • Elderberry Survey

OTHER INFO
  • Upcoming Events
  • Resources
  • Payments Grants and Loans
  • Information for Livestock Keepers
  • Surveys
Maine Farm News
white barn with red doors
Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry (DACF) has allocated approximately $20MM in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the new Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program (AIIP).
  • AIIP application period will open on January 14, 2022
  • AIIP application deadline is 11:59PM EST on February 25, 2022
The AIIP will provide critical funding for Maine farms and agricultural food processors pursuing infrastructure upgrades that will:
  1. mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19,
  2. increase capacity, enhance supply chain resilience, and address market disruptions, and
  3. drive growth within the Maine agricultural and food economy while providing more locally available foods to Mainers. 
The Department has partnered with Coastal Enterprises, Inc. (CEI) to serve as Third-Party Administrator for the program.
Sign up for updates on the program here

trays of flowers in a nursery
Green Industry Survey
Do you work in a Maine landscape or nursery business? If so, we need to hear from you! Help us assess the value of the green industry by completing the only survey assessing this important economic sector. Business owners and staff are all encouraged to participate. Every voice matters. If everyone responds, the green industry’s voice will carry more weight in future decisions related to funding and educational outreach. 


This survey is a collaborative effort between UMaine Cooperative Extension; Maine Department of Conservation, Agriculture, and Forestry; and the Maine Landscape and Nursery Association.
New Extension Soil Health Short Course
Learn how to improve soil health on your farm!
February 14 – March 25, 2022
 
This 5-week online course is designed for farmers who want to improve their understanding of soil health science, principles, and practical management strategies. Agricultural advisors also are welcome.
 
Each week, course participants will complete 2-3 hours of assigned ‘homework’ independently (watch videos, read articles, explore online tools) and then take part in a 1.5-hour online session on Wednesdays from 5:30 – 7:00 pm.
 
Course topics include soil biology and soil organic matter, physical and chemical properties of soil health, soil health strategies and practices, cover cropping, reduced tillage practices, crop rotation, reducing fertility costs through soil health, soil health testing, and making a soil health plan.
 
Register early because spots are limited! The course fee is on a sliding scale ($120/$90/$60) and includes one free soil health test ($60 value) for those who complete the course and provide feedback.
 
For more information, including how to register, visit the Extension Soil Health Course webpage.
Free Succession Planning Webinar Series
Feel like your family needs to start talking about the future of the farm, but you don't know where to start? Have questions about passing on the farm? Land For Good is offering opportunities to help you move your planning along: 

  • Transitioning farmers and junior generation farmers will learn the basics of succession planning, how to get started, where to find advisors and additional resources, ask questions of succession planning experts, and get support on this challenging process. All generations, including family and non-family members, who may play a role in the farm’s future are encouraged to attend. 
  • This four-part live webinar series meets virtually on Wednesdays at lunchtime from 11:00am – 1:00pm:
  • January 26 - Getting Started & Financial Considerations
  • February 2 - Legal Considerations: Business Entities, Estate Planning
  • February 9 - Financial, Retirement & Tax Considerations
  • February 16 - Farmer Panel discussion on successes & challenges

Whole Farm Planning for LGBTQ+ Farmer Communities
As part of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network of the Northeast, New Hampshire contracted with Holistic Management International (HMI) to develop an on-line whole farm planning course for LGBTQ+ communities.

There are still spots available! Link to information and registration.
 
There will not be a charge to the farmer for this $400 course. It is supported by USDA funding for Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance. This course is eligable for FSA Borrower Training Credit.

There will be 3 Live webinars: Jan 18th, Feb 1st, and Feb 15th at 5:00 pm MST/7 pm EST for 1.5 hours led by Ann Adams to provide more feedback and discussion.

Any questions, please contact Seth Wilner at NH Cooperative Extension - 603-543-7169! 

Avian Influenza Found in Newfoundland, CA
Two poultry farms have been affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI; H5N1 in this case) in Newfoundland, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Since both farms allowed exposure to migratory waterfowl, and the virus has been found in regional wild birds, our regional poultry farmers should be on high alert for A.I. symptoms.

This is also a good time to review your biosecurity systems and enhance those measures. One particularly important practice is to exclude and wild birds from areas where your flock is accessing. The USDA Flock Defender program contains several resources related to improving poultry biosecurity.

If you have poultry mortailities, please reach out to the Cooperative Extension Veteranary Diagnostic Lab, or to the state veterinarian and Animal Health department.
Northeast Cover Crop Council Conference Registration Open!
The Northeast Cover Crops Council, the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA), and University of Vermont Extension invite you to join us for the fifth annual Northeast Cover Crops Council Conference. The conference will be held virtually on Thursday, March 10, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Friday, March 11, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Registration gives you access to the conference platform a week before and two weeks following the conference. Plenary speakers include sustainable agriculture and climate resilience expert Dr. Mitch Hunter from American Farmland Trust, and Dr. Victoria Ackroyd with the University of Maryland sharing information on cover crop tools. Session topics include weed control, pest management, planting green, and tarping in cover crops, corn, soybean and on-farm research, precision agriculture, and more.

Elderberry Survey
You are invited to participate in a research study being conducted by Tori Lee Jackson, Extension Professor of Agriculture & Natural Resources with UMaine Cooperative Extension, and Rosalie Wilson of Rose Wilson Consulting LLC, two of the authors of the 2016 Elderberry Production Guide published by The University of Vermont.
They are reaching out to commercial elderberry producers across New England to ascertain the overall health of the elderberry industry in our region. Participants must be at least 18 years old to participate and should have current or recent experience growing elderberries for sale.If you agree to participate, you will be asked to take an anonymous survey. The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Please click on the link below to learn more about the study and to take the survey
If you have any questions, contact tori.jackson@maine.edu or 207.581.8201.
Meetings - Webinars - Upcoming Events
Sessions preceded by ** are eligible for Pesticide Re-certification Credits.

Resources
coronavirus image from CDC
Payments, Grants & Loans
USDA Funding Announcements
Information for Animal Keepers
Winter Care of Livestock Series: Equine
University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering an online workshop about best practices for winter care of equines from noon–2 p.m. on Feb. 1.
 
Workshop topics include winter health issues and options for fresh water, as well as mud management around the farmstead. Donna Coffin, UMaine Extension professor, and Dr. Beth McEvoy, consulting veterinarian and chief financial officer of Foxcroft Large Animal Veterinary Associates in Dover-Foxcroft, will lead the workshop.
 
The fee is on a sliding scale, up to $10; registration is required to receive the link. Register on the event webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Becky Gray, 207.781.6099; extension.agcumberland@maine.edu.
Meat Goat Production and Management Home Study Course
Interested in running a meat goat operation? The Penn State Meat Goat Production and Management Home Study Course is for goat producers interested in improving their production practices and ultimately the profitability of their operation. This is a home study course with an additional offering of three optional supplemental webinars to review materials. Click here for more information.

  • Home Study Course Feb. 2, and Mar. 9, 2022
  • Optional Webinar Meetings Feb. 16, Mar. 9, & 23, 2022
boar goats
Surveys
Beef Survey
My name is Elaina Enzien and I'm working on my masters in agricultural sciences at the University of New Hampshire. I am emailing to ask for your help in a research study to help assess cooperative business models of beef production to address harvest capacity constraints in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont (IRB-FY2022-186).

You are being asked to participate in a short online survey that should take you approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Participation is limited to beef producers that reside in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont and sell USDA inspected, State inspected, or Custom processed meat direct to consumers.

The results will be used in reports, presentations, and other publications. All participants identities will not be shared and will remain confidential. Your participation will help contribute to the development of resources, programs, and networks to aid in the expansion and sustainability of beef businesses and harvest facilities in northern New England.

Survey on the Cumulative Impact of Stress on Maine Farmers
My name is Izzy Ruffin, and I am currently writing a research paper for a Mediation: Premise, Practice and Policy class on the cumulative impact of stress on Maine farmers and how the impact of that stress can and should be addressed. This short anonymous survey, intended for farmers, will take no more than 5 minutes.
The results of this survey will serve as supplemental evidence to substantial research on stress and stress management in the field of agriculture and point to existing resources that are already available for free to Maine farmers through organizations like the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. With any hope, the paper will be officially published by the University of Maine in the Spring.
You can find the link to the survey here. Feel free to share it with other farmers you know. Thank you for your time!
Farmer Equity National Assessment Project Seeking Case Studies
The Farmer Equity National Assessment Project is seeking to better understand the needs and challenges of Farmers of Color and to highlight farmers' barriers, constraints, and innovations through storytelling. If you are willing, please complete a survey by December 15, 2021, to be entered on a list of farmers to potentially serve as case studies. The project will hand-select 50 farmers for the case studies, and farmers who are selected will receive a $500 stipend.
Edited by:
Donna Coffin, Extension Professor, donna.coffin@maine.edu
Jason Lilley, Extension Professional, jason.lilley@maine.edu
Rebecca Long, Extension Professional, rebecca.j.long@maine.edu 
Tori Jackson, Extension Professor, tori.jackson@maine.edu
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.
A message to our stakeholders:
As a valued UMaine Extension stakeholder, we just wanted to let you know that most county offices have reopened following Per University of Maine guidelines, face coverings are required indoors for any visitor or employee who is not fully vaccinated — on University or non-University property, in University administered facilities, or non-University administered facilities.
UMaine Extension is gradually returning to normal operations. Buildings and offices may have different protocols depending on staffing and, with that, we encourage you to call ahead.
Please contact UMaine Extension staff with any questions.
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

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).