The State of Maine Agricultural Trades Show takes place every January and serves as a source for agricultural resources and products. Producers and consumers alike visit this three day show to take stock of current programs, new technologies and to gather information on the agriculture industry.  The event is sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The Ag Trade Show provides promotional opportunities for businesses and organizations on the trade show floor, but also houses various lectures, certification courses and annual meetings throughout its duration. The event has activities geared towards promoting industry collaboration and progress.
Click here for the program PDF.
Click here for the agenda and trade show vendors.

Some meetings planned include:
Tuesday: MOFGA, MESAS, Maine Cheese Guild, BFRN, Greater Portland Council of Governments, Maine Federation of Farmers Markets, Maine Christmas Tree Association, Maine Milk Commission, Pesticide Training, Nutrient Management Training.

Wednesday: BFRN, Pesticide Training, Maine Grass Farmers Network, Maine Beef Producers Association, FSA, Maine Highland Cattle Assoc., Maine Geological Survey, Maine Sheep Producers Assoc., Nutrient Management Training, Maine Maple Producers, United Farmer Veterans of Maine, Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Assoc., Maine Pomological Society, Small Woodlot Owners Assoc. of Maine.

Thursday: Maine Winery Guild, Revision Energy, Maine Farmland Trust, MDACF, Maine Farms, Maine Pork Producers, Pesticide Training, BFRN, WIC Farmer Training, GPCOG, Maine Nutrition Assoc., United Farmer Veterans of Maine, Maine Hops School, FISMA.

A short course for farmers thinking about starting a new farm enterprise has been offered a number of times in the past. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is preparing the mail list for the 2017 Census of Agriculture. The Census of Agriculture is the leading source of facts and figures about American agriculture. Conducted every five years, the Census provides a detailed picture of U.S. farms, ranches and the people who operate them. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the United States.   If you have previously received a Census of Agriculture or survey questionnaire from NASS then you will be receiving your 2017 Census of Agriculture questionnaire in late December 2017 or January 2018. Your cooperation is appreciated.

• Rural Tax Education: Farmers, ranchers, other agricultural producers and Extension educators will find on this website a source for agriculturally related income and self-employment tax information that is both current and easy to understand.
  Tax issues are important for agricultural operations because income and self-employment taxes are a major cost.  Also because more and more USDA programs are being linked to a producer's federal income tax return.
• IRS Farmers Tax Guide #225
• According to the USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service, 8,174 farms could be identifying their farm and listing their products and services on www.getrealmaine.com. This is a free listing and when I get inquires about how to find a farm that sells a certain product, this is where the search starts.
• New Ag Service Provider Directory Hosted by the MDACF - Farm owners and operators who access the Maine Agriculture Service Providers Directory search for Agricultural Consulting Services and/or Business Consulting Services, then by topic and category to identify the public and private sector - educators, technical assistance advisors, and consultants - who may be best suited to help them address their agricultural and business development needs.
• Growing Home - A new first-of-its-kind 30 minute television program to begin airing in Maine in January, 2017. The documentary series, Growing Home, is the first to tell the stories of U.S. veterans who have transitioned to a life of agriculture and outdoor related careers. The program will air Sundays at 11am, beginning January 8, 2017 on NBC affiliate WLBZ2 in Bangor and WCSH6 in Portland. 
• Local Foods Marketing Practices survey released by USDA concluded that more than 80 percent of all direct market food sales occurred within 100 miles of the farm, and that most farms selling to consumers were less than 20 miles away from their largest grossing marketplace. This is number of miles the farmer traveled to the marketing outlet.
• National Sustainable Strawberry Initiative Seeks Input Via Survey (U of Arkansas) to identify the critical research and outreach needs of the strawberry industry and to develop a project around these issues. If you are a strawberry grower, nurseryman, Extension Educator, or advisor to strawberry growers, please contribute to this national strawberry-industry needs assessment by taking the online survey before February 10, 2017.
• Positions Available: UMaine Extension Plant Pathologist and Accounting Support Specialist CL2 both based in Orono. Aldermere Farm Apprentice based in Rockport.
• Maine Hay Directory - You can list hay that you have for sale or you can look for hay to buy. Listings are free.

Visit the UMaine Extension online Publications Catalog