Maine Farm News
Maine Farm News
January 9, 2021
In This Edition
ARTICLES
  • Maine Farm News: New Name - New Contributor
  • Maine Drought Survey: Last Chance to Provide Input
  • New Farm Business Tracking and Decision Making Tool from Maine Farmland Trust
  • Maine Ag Trades Show Goes Virtual
  • New Resource on Preventing Farmer Worker Exposure to COVID-19 While Farm Vehicles
  • Small Bites: The Four Gs- A Tool for Family Meetings, Too

OTHER INFO
  • Upcoming Events
  • Resources
  • Payments Grants and Loans
  • Information for Livestock Keepers
  • Surveys
Maine Farm News
Maine Farm News: New Name - New Contributor
This newsletter started amid the pandemic need for up to date information on the rapidly changing COVID-19 programs, guidance, and financial programs that affected Maine farmers large and small.
Becca Long, Jason Lilley, and Donna Coffin have been collaborating to get this twice a month newsletter into the hands of farmers. We are fortunate to have Tori Jackson joining us to be sure we get the most up-to date information.
Maine Drought Survey: Last Chance to Provide Input
A group of research organizations are collecting farmer experiences related to the 2020 drought. This information will be used to develop educational programs and seek funding sources to assist farms in coping with these frequent drought events. Your input is invaluable to this effort. Please provide your input here before January 11th.
paperwork for farm records
New Farm Business Tracking and Decision Making Tool from Maine Farmland Trust
Maine Farmland Trust recently announce the launch of FarmCalc, a cloud-database program that helps farmers make financially informed decisions about their farm business. This program was developed by MFT, Jed Beach of FarmSmart Maine and Lori Bailey of ReNew Development.
Maine Ag Trades Show Goes Virtual
The Ag Trades Show will have a different feel this year. The organizers have put a ton of effort into making this an engaging and interactive, week long program. The January 19-23rd program will include some of the same producer group and educational meeting, along with some new events and features. Check out the full details here.
New Resource on Preventing Farmer Worker Exposure to COVID-19 While Farm Vehicles
This new resource on preventing farm worker exposure to COVID while in farm owned vehicles may be helpful for your farm.
Small Bites: The Four Gs- A Tool for Family Meetings, Too
In a previous “Small Bites” article, we introduced the Four Gs activity as a way to take the temperature of a team and discover key “Gives, Gains, Groans, and Guidelines” important to progressing toward a shared goal.

You might want to try this out at your next family meeting, as well. Draw the grid then take turns telling your Four G’s to the designated note taker. When everyone takes turns contributing, you have the chance to slow things down with questions, reflections and appreciations for each participant. You can also build connections on your “family team” by linking different people’s contributions to others’. “Looks like a few of us have the same groans going on! Sally and Abby share a give. That is really cool.”

Want help to implement the 4G’s on your farm? Reach out to the farmcoaching team to set-up a free consultation and a step-by-step setup of your own 4Gs activity.
Meetings - Webinars - Upcoming Events
Sessions preceded by * are eligible for Pesticide Re-certification Credits.

Resources
coronavirus image from CDC
Payments, Grants & Loans
Information for Animal Keepers
Livestock Nutrition Webinar Series
Jan 13, 12 pm Beef Cattle
Jan 2, 12 pm Swine
Feb 3, 12 pm Poultry
Selling Meat in Maine
Jan 20 11 am - Red Meat Focus
Jan 21 11 am - Poultry Focus
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 UMaine guidance and protocols to stem the spread of the coronoavirus. Each office may have different protocols in place, please call ahead before coming to the office.
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).