Maine Farm News
Maine Farm News
May 15, 2021
In This Edition
ARTICLES
  • Farm Worker Pay Rates and Compensation Survey Data Available!
  • Free SNAP/EBT Equipment for Farmers' Markets
  • Braiding Seeds Fellowship
  • Free Fuel ID Stickers
  • Late Blight Hotline
  • Get Your Pesticide Recertification Credits Online!
  • Developing Risk Management and Marketing Plans Workshop Series
  • Plant Disease Lab Changes
  • Small Bites - Social Sustainability and Well-Being
OTHER INFO
  • Upcoming Events
  • Resources
  • Payments Grants and Loans
  • Information for Livestock Keepers
  • Surveys
Maine Farm News
Farm Worker Pay Rates and Compensation Survey Data Available!
Have you been wondering how your farm worker pay rates compare to other farms in your area? You're not alone. In an effort to shed light on this topic, a survey was developed as a collaboration between the Maine Small Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and UMaine Cooperative Extension. It was distributed through mailing lists of these two groups as well as other agricultural service provider agencies and grower associations throu.The survey results include average pay rates and benefits offered across the state, regionally, and among small fruit and vegetable operations and potato producers. View the full 2021 Maine Farm Worker Compensation Survey results here.
buying at farmers market
New Program Makes SNAP/EBT Processing Equipment Available to Farmers and Farmers’ Markets at No Cost
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer card (EBT) equipment is available to agricultural producers and farmers’ markets in Maine. Interested producers and farmers’ markets should visit the Farm Food Access Program (FFAP) website or call the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM) to learn about the options for cost-free equipment.

To learn more about the Farm Food Access Program and access the online application form, go to http://www.Maine.gov/dacf/ffap/
Braiding Seeds Fellowship
The Braiding Seeds Fellowship is a project of Soul Fire Farm Institute in collaboration with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. The 18-month fellowship provides beginning farmers who will dedicate at least 20+ hours/week to farming with a $50,000 stipend, professional development, and mentorship to support their livelihood on land and their future as the next generation of Black, Indigenous, and people of color farmers. In its inaugural year, this historic pilot program will form a cohort from the Southeast and Northeast, along certain corridors of the Underground Railroad and the Great Migration. 

Applications now open and close May 15 at 11:59 PM EDT.

Learn more and apply visit bit.ly/braidingseedsfellowship
Free Fuel Identification Stickers
Maine AgrAbility has designed fuel identification stickers for use on farm tractors to help prevent potential mechanical issues and production downtime if the wrong fuel is mistakenly used. 
Request free fuel identification stickers and view all available safety stickers on the Maine AgrAbility website. For more information about the program, call 207.944.1533 or email maine.agrability@maine.edu. 
Lat Blight Hotline
University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering a new way for producers and gardeners to receive the latest information and alerts about late blight of potatoes and tomatoes. 
The Late Blight Hotline from UMaine Extension will send subscribers in the U.S. and Canada text messages with up-to-date late blight information from June 1, 2021 to June 1, 2022.

A one-year subscription is $10; standard message and data rates may apply. Subscribe and find more information on the program webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact 207.554.4373 or stevenj@maine.edu.
Get Your Pesticide Recertification Credits Online!
These eleven courses are available to all certified pesticide applicators throughout New England. The courses are located on the eXtension website and can be accessed 24 hours a day. Each course is designed to be interactive, keeping the student engaged while involving them in the learning. The courses cost between $20-$40 per course (depending on the topic). Once the course is complete the student will take an assessment in which they will need to pass before a certificate of completion is awarded.


Topics available to pesticide applicators:
  • Calculations for Mixing the Right amount of Pesticides Category Right of Way
  • Calculations for Mixing the Right amount of Pesticides Category Structural Pest Control
  • Calculations for Mixing the Right amount of Pesticides Category Turf
  • Welcome to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Recertification Course
  • New Hampshire's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Recertification Course
  • New Hampshire's Pesticide Hazards and First Aid first aid route of entry Recertification Course
  • New Hampshire's Label and Labeling Recertification Course
  • New Hampshire's Storage and Disposal Recertification Course
  • New Hampshire's Backpack Sprayer - Part One Recertification Course
  • New Hampshire's Backpack Sprayer - Part Two Recertification Course
  • Worker Protection Standard (WPS)
Developing Risk Management and Marketing Plans Workshop Series
Virtual Workshop Series For Beginning, Women, and Shellfish Growers. Join us for a virtual workshop on risk management and marketing. This workshop will be delivered through nine zoom sessions and will be accompanied by homework assignments, and individualized counseling sessions if desired.

At the end of this project, each participant will have developed a personal risk management and marketing plan for their farm or ranch.

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
June 3 • June 17 • July 8 • July 22 • August 12 • August 26 • September 16 • September 30 • October 14

Plant Disease Lab Changes
Alicyn Smart, Plant Pathologist and Director of the Plant Disease and Diagnostic Lab announced changes in the Plant Disease Diagnostic Lab submission form and website. They are now charging $20 for general out-of-state samples. The Maine lab will be receiving all plant disease samples from NH starting next month until November. There is still no charge for Maine general plant disease identification.
The lab can now accept hemp samples from ME but require a copy of the current license to accompany the sample.
Small Bites - Social Sustainability and Well-being
Authored by Coach Leslie Forstadt

Small Bites are short, informational articles with practical ideas about stress reduction, improved communication, and farm and family well-being. They are written by coaches from UMaine Extension’s Farm Coaching team. Farm Coaches are available at no cost to work remotely with farmers and farm teams.

Don’t forget your own health and well-being, and find ways to build in routines to take care of yourself. If you are finding that you are overwhelmed, or having a hard time doing the things you usually do, please talk to someone else. Ask for help for the farm, adapt as needed, and consider reaching out to a counselor or phone hotline.

This video about social sustainability includes ways to create equitable and fair systems for all farmers and why this is important for personal well being.

And this video focuses on stress that farmers experience. Be aware of your own signals and connect with those around you in case others may be struggling and too proud or fearful to reach out. 

Supports for mental health and well-being - Call the Strengthen ME support line (207-221-8198 , or The Maine Crisis Hotline or “71” for supports in Maine, and Farm Aid has a hotline (1-800-FARM-AID) just for farmers who want to talk about stresses and how to find support. 

The Farm Coaches can talk with you about changing up your routines, building in sustainable strategies for your farm, and talking about these issues with your staff. Reach out and we can find a time to Zoom, talk by phone, or visit the farm.
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
  • USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers – USDA is dedicating at least $6 billion towards new programs to reach producers.
  • Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP) – This program support projects exploring new market opportunities and innovations. Submit your application by May 24, 2021.
  • Acer Access and Development Program (Acer) – This program supports the efforts of states, tribal governments and research institutions to promote the domestic maple syrup industry. Submit your application by May 24, 2021.
  • Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP) – This program designed specifically to realize USDA’s commitment to support communities across the U.S. that have significant levels of food insecurity and import significant quantities of food. Grants are awarded non-competitively to eligible states and territories. Submit your application by May 24, 2021.
  • Specialty Crop Block Grants – This program funds innovative projects designed to support the expanding specialty crop food sector and explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products. Grants are awarded non-competitively to eligible states and territories. Submit your application by June 11, 2021.
  • NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) - to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in Maine. Proposals must be received by NRCS before midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST) on June 21, 2021.
Information for Animal Keepers
Sourcing Piglets from Out of State
Are you looking to source a piglet for a 4-H project, or you want some feeder pigs to raise for fall. Or maybe you are uncertain about the food chain during the COVID-19 outbreak and want to raise your own food. Learn what you need to know before buying piglets from out of state. 4 pages. © 2020 by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Download it for free
Beef Calf
Beef Sales Page Now Open for Buyers and Sellers
The Maine Beef Producers Association Sales page is now reopen to post beef animal for sale or to be bought. The MBPA Board decided at its May Meeting to allow anyone to post, MBPA membership is not required. In addition, in an effort to make posting easier, pictures are not required. Please include your name, location and contact information and what you are searching for or selling, Send to: sales@mainebeefproducersassociation.com.
Surveys
chickens poultry

This UC Davis survey is designed to explore the overall profitability of commercial pastured and free-range poultry production in the U.S. The survey is approximately 25 questions and will take approximately 20 minutes.

You are invited to participate in our survey identifying useful extension efforts for the future. In this survey, questions will be asked regarding important topics, program delivery preferences, and individual operation information.
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
Brian Erickson, Extension Professional,
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

University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Somerset County
207.474.9622 or 1.800.287.1495 (in Maine)


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).