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Maine Weather and Drought Outlook | Recent beneficial across much of Maine has provided some relief to drought affected areas, and has led to improvements on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Much of Cumberland County, for example, received 2–3 inches of rain, and parts of York County received up to 6 inches total in the past two weeks. Overall, 49% of the state is currently ranked in abnormal dryness or drought, down from 57% two weeks ago. Moderate drought persists across southwestern counties, and the MidCoast continues to see severe drought. The Maine Dry Well Survey shows 83 reports so far this year as of August 29, with more than half of the dry wells being in Cumberland, York, Kennebec, and Lincoln counties. Additional drought information can be found on the Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard. | |
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The NOAA/NWS forecast shows moderate humidity and high temperatures in the mid to high 70s °F on Saturday, and likewise warm on Sunday with a chance of rain later in the day and into Monday associated with a cool front. The forecast for the remainder of the week suggests somewhat above normal temperatures for this time of year with lows in the 50s and highs in the mid to high 70s. Local weather forecasts are available at weather.gov.
The NOAA/National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center 8–14 day outlook probability maps (issued August 31, valid September 8–14) show likely above normal temperature and near normal precipitation. The 1-month outlook probability maps for September (issued August 31) show leaning toward above normal temperature and leaning toward below normal precipitation.
Sean Birkel, Assistant Extension Professor, Maine State Climatologist, Climate Change Institute, Cooperative Extension University of Maine. For climate/weather questions related to agriculture, send Sean e-mail at birkel@maine.edu
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UMaine Hires Native American Studies and Food Systems Staff
University of Maine’s Native American Programs and Cooperative Extension recently hired Anthony Sutton as Assistant Professor of Native American Studies and Food Systems. Sutton’s role will center Wabanaki visions for food sovereignty in community engagement as well as in teaching and research on campus.
He earned his PhD in Ecology and Environmental Sciences in 2020, specializing in Wabanaki foodways. From the Mi’kmaq Farms in 2011 to the Sipayik Environmental Department (SED) in 2018, Sutton’s work has been about collaboration that supports community goals.
After graduation, he continued engaging and building relationships with Wabanaki communities through working with the Maine Shellfish Learning Network. This joint position in Native American Studies and Food Systems fits well with his vision for supporting this work as it requires education and advocacy about how Wabanaki foodways have been shaped, while engaging in processes to heal them. This position allows him to do both.
In his free time, Tony enjoys going on weekend adventures with his family or staying home to cook new recipes.
Tony's email address is: anthony.sutton@maine.edu
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Irrigation for Small-Scale Farmers Video Available | |
Did you miss the presentation on what do you need to know to install a new irrigation system? Check out this recording to see what you missed.
Presenter: Dr. Sumon Datta, Assistant Extension Professor and Extension Agricultural Engineer for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension did a Zoom presentation on what small-scale farmers should consider before they expand or install a new irrigation system.
Once you have viewed this video, please help us by completing this short survey. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sv/otvQ40K
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NEW! Maine Farmers’ Market Price Report! |
Made possible with funding through the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry and the support of the Maine Federation of Farmers Markets, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Maine Farmland Trust, and the University of Maine, this new site is now up and running, piloting a new statewide price report which will be focused on farmers market prices for a limited number of crops (in 2022), with the aim of building a tool that will expand into other markets and products in the future.
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Obsolete Pesticide Collection
Each October, the Maine Board of Pesticides Control conducts a program to collect and properly dispose of banned and unusable pesticides from homeowners and farms. Preregistration is required and collections are held at four sites across the state.
The next collection will be held during October 2022, one day each in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta, and Portland. More details coming soon. Registrations for the October 2022 collection must be submitted by September 26
More information about the program may be found at Obsolete Pesticide Collection
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Tour a Bison Farm
September 28: Join Doretta and Ted Colburn, owners of Beech Hill Farm & Bison Ranch in Waterford, to learn about this former dairy farm turned bison and vegetable operation. Learn about the unique needs of raising bison, how they have incorporated sustainability into their farm, and lessons they’ve learned. Frozen bison meat will be available for purchase on site.
More info and registration available here.
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Northeast SARE Farmer Grower Grants
Northeast SARE offers grants to farmers to explore new concepts in sustainable agriculture conducted through experiments, surveys, prototypes, on-farm demonstrations or other research and education techniques. Farmer Grant projects address issues that affect farming with long-term sustainability in mind.
Competitive proposals explore new ideas and techniques or apply known ideas in new ways or with new communities. Reviewers look to fund projects that are well-designed to meet proposed objectives and promise the greatest benefit to farming communities.
A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, climate-smart agriculture practices, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more.
More information is available here
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Fall Vegetable Twilight Meeting at Highmoor Farm
September 8, 2022
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Highmoor Farm, 52 US-202, Monmouth, ME 04259
The University of Maine’s Highmoor Farm will be hosting a fall twilight meeting on Sept 8 at 5:30pm. Join us to learn about current vegetable and small fruit evaluations. Trials that will be on display include artichokes, celeriac, celery, parsnips, pumpkins, radicchio, and sweet corn. We will highlight major aspects of production and what we’ve found so far. We also welcome you to bring your ideas about what kind of crops and production challenges upcoming research should address. All scale and experience levels are welcome. There is no cost to attend.
Click here for more information
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Meetings - Webinars - Upcoming Events | |
USDA Funding Announcements | |
Information for Animal Keepers | |
Keeping Backyard Poultry
Part 1 – YouTube Video
- Pros and Cons of raising chickens
- Brooding chicks
- Feeding and watering
- Choosing the breed
Part 2 – YouTube Video
- Chicken Nutrition
- Chicken Feeders and waterers
- Chicken housing
- Winter care of chickens
Publications:
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USDA Ag Marketing Service
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National Pork Board Survey |
The Pork Checkoff invites individuals that were former participants in junior swine projects to participate in a survey about your engagement with the swine industry over the years. Complete the survey for a chance to win a Pork Checkoff RTIC Cooler!
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Edited by:
Brett Johnson, Extension Professional,
Nick Rowley, Extension Professional,
Chris Howard, New Farms Project
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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.
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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
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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). | | | | | |
