Farm Scoop – September 2016
Maine Farms for the Future – Phase 1: Business Plan Development Grant
The State of Maine is seeking proposals from eligible farms seeking to compete for the Maine Farms for the Future – Phase 1: Business Plan Development grant.
A copy of the RFP can be obtained by contacting the RFP Coordinator: Lester Dancer. The RFP Coordinator can be reached at the following email address: Lester.Dancer@maine.gov or by
mailing: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry – Attn: FFF Round 16 RFP, 28 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333-0028
A Bidders Conference will be held on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, local time, at the following location: Conference Room # 118 located in the Marquardt Building, 32 Blossom Lane, Augusta, ME, with a public entrance at Door D7.
Proposals must be submitted to the State of Maine Division of Purchases, located at the Burton M. Cross Office Building, 111 Sewall Street – 4th Floor, Augusta, ME 04330. Proposals must be submitted by 2:00 pm, local time, on Thursday, December 1, 2016, when they will be opened.
Proposals not received at the Division of Purchases’ aforementioned address by the aforementioned deadline will not be considered for contract award.
Agricultural Grants Requests for Proposals
The State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Agricultural Resource Development has a requirement for grant proposals which, if approved, will become part of funding from the Agricultural Development Grant Program. In accordance with State procurement practices, the Department is hereby announcing the publication of a Request for Proposals (RFP# 201510180) for proposals from qualified applicants.
The 119th Legislature authorized an Agricultural Development Fund (7 M.R.S.A., Chapter 10 §306A – 309). The Legislature identified the agricultural industry need for accelerating new market development, adoption of improved technology and promotion of agricultural products produced in Maine.
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry may allocate the grant funds among projects involving market research, market promotion, or a combination of those activities for the purpose of expanding existing markets and developing new markets for agricultural products produced in Maine; or for testing and demonstrating new technologies related to the production, storage or processing of State agricultural products. The Department has $250,000 available and may select multiple projects with maximum amounts of up to $50,000 per award. More information can be found online.
A copy of the RFP can be obtained by contacting the Department’s RFP Coordinator for this project: Jessica Nixon, Director of Market Development. The RFP Coordinator can be reached at the following email address: Jessica.L.Nixon@maine.gov or mailing address: 28 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. The Department encourages all interested vendors to obtain a copy of the RFP and submit a competitive proposal.
Maine Seed Garlic Directory
BUYERS: The Maine Seed Garlic Directory is organized by county, then alphabetically by seller.
SELLERS: already listed on the directory below: Please, notify us of updates or when your supply is out or spoken for; email Tiffany Wing or call 207.778.4650.
NEW SELLERS: To place a NEW listing, email Tiffany Wing or call 207.778.4650 to get on the list.
New England Farm Succession School
Augusta, Maine: November 1; December 6, 2016, and January 24, 2017, at Viles Arboretum
Concord, NH: November 2; December 7, 2016, and January 25, 2017, at NH Farm Bureau
Randolph, Vermont: November 3; December 8, 2016, and January 26, 2017, at VT Technical College Enterprise Center
The Farm Succession School is a three-session program designed for farmers looking for a bit of structure and motivation to tackle succession planning. The program will bring you from thinking about the future to doing active planning. Your commitment of three winter days will help to guide you toward a successful planning outcome for you, your family and your farm.
You will come away with a concrete game plan for your farm business, your land, and your retirement. Whether or not you have an identified successor, this program will give you information, tools, and advice to build a realistic plan that meets your objectives and enables you to take next steps. More information can be found at New England Farm Succession School (PDF).