Cooperative Extension in Aroostook County

UMaine Extension Educator in Story About Farm Fuel Costs

extension — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 12:55:50 +0000

Andrew Plant, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension educator, was interviewed for a Bangor Daily News story about the effects of rising fuel prices on Maine farms. Plant said Maine has a lot of forest capacity and unused agricultural land which could be producing anything from grasses for heating to biogas to anaerobic digesters for methane recovery.

So You Want to Farm in Maine

extension — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:01:05 +0000

So You Want to Farm in Maine is a farm business course for those already farming who would like to brush-up their business skills, or those thinking about becoming farmers. This course will be offered in five evening meetings, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., starting Tuesday, March 20. Classes will be held in two locations: the UMaine Extension Penobscot County office in Bangor and the UMaine Extension Aroostook County office in Presque Isle.

Topics will include selecting and evaluating a farm enterprise, writing a business plan, recordkeeping, market research, and much more. Cost is $50.00 per farm with a limited number of partial scholarships available. Sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Risk Management Agency.

Last year 63 people attended this program and all who attended felt more confident in their ability to create a viable farm business. Ninety-four percent said they would recommend others to attend.

“Before this workshop I felt I would succeed in farming, but through trial and error, now I feel I will succeed based on my new knowledge of farming.” — Participant

For more information contact Donna Coffin at 1-800-287-1491 (in Maine) or Andrew Plant 1-800-287-1469 (in Maine) or visit the website. To pre-register contact Theresa Tilton at 207-942-7396 or 1-800-287-1485 (in Maine) or e-mail theresa.tilton@maine.edu.

Three Opportunities to Learn to Shear Sheep in 2012

extension — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:41:52 +0000

Blade Shearing School with expert blade shearer, Kevin Ford
Friday, March 30, 2012
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, New Gloucester, Maine
Fee: $80/person
Participation limited to 8 individuals. Spectators are welcome.

Blade shearing is the shearing of sheep with hand shears (no electricity). This hands-on, 2-day school will equip participants with skills and knowledge to shear sheep and in the proper use and care of hand shears. Shears are provided for the school and will be available for purchase.

Sheep Shearing School, Beginner Level
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Fee: $35/person
Windham, Maine (Cumberland County)
Participation limited to 22 individuals.

Sheep Shearing School, Beginner Level
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Fee: $35/person
Littleton, Maine (Aroostook County)
Participation limited to 22 individuals.

The conventional sheep shearing schools are taught by a team of experienced, Maine-based sheep shearers. Participants will learn how to catch, handle, and maneuver sheep for shearing, shear efficiently with electric shears, shear on a table as a option, and the proper trimming of hooves, handling of wool, and caring of equipment.

These three shearing schools are sponsored by the Maine Sheep Breeders Association and University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

For more information, contact UMaine Extension at 1-800-287-1471 (207-781-6099) or e-mail colleen.hoyt@maine.edu.

MEHC Fall Meeting Hosted by Aroostook County Extension Homemakers

extension — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:15:48 +0000

Maine Extension Homemakers Council (MEHC) President Barbara Hathaway calls all Maine Extension Homemakers to attend the MEHC Fall Meeting, hosted by Aroostook County Extension Homemakers on Friday, September 23, and Saturday, September 24. Registration deadlines are September 14.

A bus to the meeting is being scheduled with pick-up points at Lewiston Turnpike Exit, Augusta Sears, Bangor Park & Ride, and in Waterville at the Governor’s Restaurant.

For more information, contact Jackie Conant at jackiec@oxfordnetworks.net.

A banquet and entertainment will take place Friday evening.

The MEHC meeting will be held Saturday at the Crow’s Nest Restaurant and Event Center. Each County group is asked to bring Train the Trainer ideas and names for the 50+ certificates of volunteerism.

Two tours are planned for Saturday: Tours to the Presque Isle School Farm and the Amish Community will leave the Hampton Inn at 2:30 p.m. on September 23.

All members are encouraged to attend and join in the fun.

WELCOME NEW NUTRITION ASSOCIATES

sparadis — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:48:54 +0000

The Eat Well Nutrition Education Program has just hired 3 new nutrition associates to work in Aroostook County. Cassandra Merritt, Sherrie McBreairty and Colette Thompson will all begin their duties in January and are eager to begin assisting people in making healthy diet and lifestyle changes.

Potato Pest Management Conference

extension — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:18:47 +0000

Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center
US Route #1, Presque Isle, Maine

You are invited to attend the 2010 Potato Pest Management Conference.

Pesticide recertification and CCA credits will be available. Topics will include: aphids, European corn borer, potato late blight, sprayer nozzles, secondary insect pests, research updates and many more topics. Registration will begin at 8:30 am.

There will be a “What’s New and Who’s New” portion of the program. If your organization or company has a topic, staff person or products, that you would like a couple of minutes to present, please contact Jim Dwyer, Crops Specialist/Extension Professor, at 207-764-3361 or jimdwyer@maine.edu on or before December 3.

Check Out These Publications:

sparadis — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:19:24 +0000

BROCCOLI and CAULIFLOWER
Vegetables and Fruits for Health Series/4261
Item #4177
Publisher: UMaine Extension
Broccoli and cauliflower are both rich in vitamin C. Includes recipes. Part of the Vegetables and Fruits for Health series (item #4261). 2 pages, 2005. Download it for free, or add it to your cart to buy a color copy. $0.50

POTATOES Vegetables and Fruits for Health Series/4261
Item #4179
Publisher: UMaine Extension
Potatoes are economical and nutritious. Recipes and information; part of the Vegetables and Fruits for Health series (item #4261). 2 pages. 2008. Download it for free, or add it to your cart to buy a color copy. $0.50

THE ABCs OF BARBECUE
Food Safety Fact Sheet
Item #4278
Publisher: UMaine Extension
Cases of food-borne illness increase in “peak grilling season.” Learn how to grill meat and poultry safely. 2 pages, 2001. Download it for free: PDF (for printing) / HTML, (for browsing). or add it to your cart to buy a printout.. $0.50

For more publications: http://extensionpubs.umext.maine.edu/