Maine Farm News
Maine Farm News
October 2, 2021
In This Edition
ARTICLES
  • Maine Collecting Unwanted Pesticides Free of Charge
  • Northeast SARE Farmer Grant Webinar
  • Hay and Straw Directory
  • Northeast Queer Farmer Wellness Micro-Grant
  • Role of Occupational Therapists at Maine AgrAbility
  • Staffing Changes

OTHER INFO
  • Upcoming Events
  • Resources
  • Payments Grants and Loans
  • Information for Livestock Keepers
  • Surveys
Maine Farm News
cartoon pesticide containers
Maine Collecting Unwanted Pesticides Free of Charge
The program is open to homeowners and family-owned farms who are encouraged to bring unwanted pesticides— including herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, and similar products used in agricultural production or around the home to collection sites in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta, and Portland. Pre-registration is required by October 8 to participate, drop-ins are not permitted, and drop-off locations will be announced soon. 

Details including registering and supplying the obsolete pesticides inventory form, a list of banned and unusable products, storage and transportation guidelines, other disposal options are found on the BPC website www.thinkfirstspraylast.org.
Northeast SARE Farmer Grant Program Webinar
Join Northeast SARE Farmer Grant Program coordinator Candice Huber, Oct. 5 at 12 p.m., for this webinar that will review who is eligible to apply, the types of projects it funds, how to apply and more. Faith Gilbert of Letterbox Farm will share her experiences applying for and managing SARE grants. Register for the webinar here.

More information about Northeast SARE and its grant programs is available at: http://www.northeastsare.org.
Hay and Straw Directory
QUniversity of Maine Cooperative Extension has updated its hay and straw directory, which allows sellers to list and buyers to locate feed supplies for livestock, with some resources available for the 2021 harvest.

Growers should visit the site to update or add their available products. Information about forage quality testing and feed budgeting is also available.
Northeast Queer Farmer Wellness Micro-grant
Are you an LGBTQ+ farmer in the Northeast? The Northeast Queer Farmer Wellness Micro-grant is now accepting applications until October 27th. Distributed in amounts of $100, $250, or $500, these funds can be used to support queer farmers in their mental health and wellness needs (broadly defined). Image credit SJ Brekosky.
Role of Occupational Therapists at Maine AgrAbility
Maine AgrAbility is able to provide on-site visits by staff who are occupational therapists (OTs) to discuss specific situations and make general recommendations of adaptive equipment or techniques. OTs are professional health care providers trained in analyzing work tasks and work patterns and can suggest modifications to work tasks, tools, and equipment to suit the specific needs of individual workers.
To learn more about OTs check out these posts:
Staffing Changes
Farewell to Brian Erickson, Somerset County Extension Sustainable Agriculture Professional. Brian has recently submitted his resignation. We wish him well in his future endeavors. Somerset County residents can continue to contact their county office at 207.474.9622 or 1.800.287.1495 (in Maine).
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
Farm Sheep Flock Economics Webinar
October 12, 2021 at 8:00 PM

Bridger Feuz, University of Wyoming will discuss some of the essential records for making good management decisions. We will also look at useful economic tools to help make good decisions focused on farm flocks. 
This webinar is made possible with funding support from the American Sheep Industry Association.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Sheep in Pasture
Winter Care of Backyard Poultry
Oct. 14 - 6 pm to 8 pm
Penquis Higher Ed Center, Mayo St., Dover-Foxcroft

You have chickens. Winter is coming. How are you going to keep your hens comfortable and productive all winter long?
Prospective and beginning small-scale meat and egg producers will learn of what it takes to have poultry including laying hens at this in-person program. Poultry breeds, housing, health, and nutrition for small-scale meat and egg producers will be explored with Dr. Colt Knight, UMaine Extension Livestock Specialist, and Donna Coffin, UMaine Extension Professor. A selection of various waterers and lighting options for winter will be shown along with ideas for do-it-yourself poultry equipment.
Pre-registration is required for this free program. Optional text available. Pre-register online or by calling 207.564.3301 or emailing extension.piscataquis@maine.edu.
Brown Hen
Surveys
Equine Endocrine Diseases Surveys
Two surveys on knowledge of equine endocrine diseases. One for horse owners, barn owners, trainers or people involved in the horse business. and one for farriers and veterinarian. This is an effort to gather information about the knowledge that people have about equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). The surveys will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
Corn Earworm Management in Sweet Corn Needs Assessment
The Department of Entomology at University of Maryland, want to hear about your research and extension needs for improving corn earworm management in sweet corn throughout the Northeast. We appreciate your participation in this survey and will use results to address these needs. 
Rural Community and Workforce Priorities Survey
The four Regional Rural Development Centers are leading an effort to identify the issues various rural stakeholders see as top priorities for economic and workforce development. We invite you to participate in this effort by completing an online survey to share more about the challenges and opportunities you see for investing in Rural America. Responses must be submitted no later than October 6, 2021.
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

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).