Farm Scoop – December 2017

Contact Jason Lilley if you have any questions about the program.

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Record keeping help available to Maine farmers

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are partnering to provide free assistance to Maine farmers who would like to build on their ability to keep production and/or financial records. The goal of the project is to work with farmers one-on-one to help them evaluate and improve their current record keeping system or help them to implement a new record keeping system. The project began in August and will last 11 months. The goal is to work with at least 15 farms one-on-one across the state of Maine. I believe the winter months are likely the best time of year for farmers to evaluate their record keeping methods and system

I have been hired as an agriculture record keeping professional to manage the program.  I can be contacted at calvert.schaefer@maine.edu or by phone at 207.735.3244.

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Get your Respirator Fit Test Done at the 2018 Ag. Trades Show

Under the revised Worker Protection Standards, anyone applying pesticides that require the use of a respirator, must complete (and maintain a record of) a respirator fit test. Respirator fit tests must be completed with the same make, model, size, and style of respirator that will be used in the field. Prior to respirator fit testing, each applicator must pass (and maintain a record of) a medical evaluation demonstrating they are physically fit enough to wear a respirator.

Join us at the Augusta Civic Center on Monday, January 8 (the day before the Ag. Trades Show) to get your respirator fit test done. Pre-registration is required. Registration costs $10.

Prior to your appointment:

• Call Lynne Hazelton at the Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Office to sign up for a timeslot for your test, Lynne Hazelton or 207.781.6099
• *Complete your medical evaluation and receive a written medical determination that you are physically able to use a respirator ASAP. This may require a follow-up medical examination if deemed necessary by the medical provider.
  • Medical evaluations may be conducted with any licensed health care professional or through one of several online services. A few online options are listed here.
    • 3M Respirator Medical Evaluation
    • OSHA Medical Evaluation for Respirator Use
    • Dawson Compliance Online Respirator Medical Evaluation/ Clearance Test
  • Please review this WPS-Respirator Requirements pdf.

At your fit test appointment:

• Bring your medical evaluation clearance form. You will not be fit-tested without it.
• Bring the respirator that you use in the field. Each person should have his or her own respirator.
• If the respirator you bring does not pass the fit test, you may have to purchase a new respirator with a better fit.
• Beards cannot be worn with tight fitting facemasks. Please shave before coming to your fit test.

With questions about respirator fit testing or other Worker Protection Standard regulations, contact Amanda Couture or 207.287.2731at the Maine Board of Pesticides Control.

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Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry Seeks Proposals for FY18 Agricultural Development Grants

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, Division of Agricultural Resource Development, is seeking proposals for the FY2018 Agricultural Development Grant Program. In accordance with State procurement practices, the Department is hereby announcing the publication of a Request for Proposals (RFP# 201711189) 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. All submitted proposals need to be for projects which demonstrate readiness and that can be commenced immediately upon acceptance.

The Department has $250,000 available and may select multiple projects with maximum amounts of up to $50,000 per award.

The Commissioner has established priorities for this RFP. Proposals that incorporate one or more of the following priorities will be considered more favorably in the evaluation process:

1. Technological and/or process improvements that demonstrate profitability of Maine grown crops, or result in reduction of costs associated with drought or other natural crop disturbances for Maine farmers.
2. Product enhancements for value added, nutrition, marketing and/or food safety.
3. Alternative markets or diversification; examples could be: participation in national or regional commodity events, special merchandising activities, expanded farm stands, or rural educational tours.
4. Development or expansion of livestock processing.

A copy of the RFP, as well as the Question & Answer Summary, and all amendments related to this RFP can be obtained at the following website:  http://www.maine.gov/purchases/venbid/rfp.shtml

Proposals must be submitted to the State of Maine Division of Procurement Services by 4:00 p.m. on January 4, 2018.

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Exotic Tick Species Identified on Hunterdon County Farm

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher today announced the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa has confirmed the finding of an exotic East Asian tick, also known as the longhorned tick or bush tick, on a farm in Hunterdon County on November 9. This tick is not known to be present in the U.S., although there are records of at least a dozen previous collections of this species in the country on animals and materials presented for entry at U.S. ports.

This tick is a serious pest to livestock (including cattle, horses, farmed deer, sheep, and goats), particularly in New Zealand, as well as wildlife, pets, and humans. Farmers should monitor their livestock for the presence of this tick and decreased growth rates or signs of anemia in the animals. With respect to livestock, the tick is known to transmit a disease called Theileriosis to cattle, which results in severe anemia and possibly death. There are no human health or food safety risks associated with Theileria. This tick also has the potential to spread other bacterial and viral diseases to humans and other animals.

The potential impact of this tick on tickborne illness in New Jersey residents is not yet known. In other parts of the world, the bush tick has been associated with several tickborne diseases, some of which are found in New Jersey, such as spotted fever rickettsioses. The Department of Agriculture is investigating if the ticks found locally are carrying any potential pathogens that may impact human or animal health.

Some tick species may become less active in the winter; however, it is important to take steps to prevent tick bites whenever you are in areas where ticks may be found. Protect yourself, your family and your pets from tick bites.

This tick is a known pest in deer and has a wide host range, thus can infect a range of wildlife species. If the tick is detected in wildlife, then it should be immediately reported to the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Wildlife Management at 609.984.6295 or the Office of Fish and Wildlife Health and Forensics at 908. 637.4173 ext. 120.

For questions about tickborne illness in humans, contact your local health department (http://localhealth.nj.gov) or the New Jersey Department of Health during normal business hours at 609.826.5964

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get real. get Maine! Producer Buying Opportunities – One-on-One Meetings. Sign up for the 3rd Annual Wholesale Meet-Up Day!

When: Monday, January 8th, 2018 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Where: Augusta Civic Center – 76 Community Drive, Augusta, ME 04330

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is hosting the third annual Wholesale Meet-up Day, this year has been opened for any get real. get Maine! wholesale Producers from Maine and local Wholesale Buyers to meet one-on-one for networking, introductions and explore future sales opportunities.

We will start with a short welcome reception intended for Maine Producers to visit table top displays, where they will have the opportunity to sign up for meeting times. The remainder of the event will include short, and timed, one-on-one meetings between the buyers and producers. Service Providers will also be on-site throughout to take one-on-one meetings or answer wholesale specific questions.

This is a FREE event for all participants; however space is limited so advance participant reservation is required. If you are a Wholesale Buyer looking to connect with sources for local products, or a get real. get Maine! Producer who is currently pursuing new wholesale customers, join us for a few short hours of networking!

New get real. get Maine! members are always welcome and can sign up by visiting http://www.getrealmaine.com/page/Create-Your-Account.

All reservation requests must be received by Tuesday, January 2nd, 2018. Please note that reservations will be cut off prior to the listed deadline once capacity is reached, so sign up early.

Please confirm your attendance and lock in your reservation by simply emailing Jessica.L.Nixon@maine.gov with:

1. Name of your Organization;
2. Indication as to whether you are participating as a Wholesale Buyer, Service Provider or get real. get Maine! Producer; and any specifics on the products you are looking specifically to buy or sell if known.
3. Best contact information for those who will be attending as your representative(s).

All registered attendances will receive set up instructions and suggested tips on how best to prepare for this event.

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Maine Food and Fiber-Related Business Survey

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension would like to measure the current and future need for an Agricultural Engineer by Maine food and fiber-related businesses (farmers, growers, and producers).  A short survey has been designed to do just this.

It is estimated that completing the survey will take approximately 5 minutes.  Please complete the survey by December 31, 2017.  Thank you in advance.

Here is the link to the short survey.

Join one of our upcoming online farming courses: Climate Smart Farming, Holistic Financial Planning, Tree Fruit Production, and more!  

New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference

When: Tuesday, December 12 to Thursday, December 14, 2017

Where: Radisson Hotel, 700 Elm St, Manchester, NH 03101

The New England Vegetable & Fruit Conference and Trade Show will include more than 25 educational sessions over 3 days, covering major vegetable, berry and tree fruit crops as well as various special topics. A Farmer to Farmer meeting after each morning and afternoon session will bring speakers and farmers together for informal, in-depth discussion on certain issues. There is also an extensive Trade Show with over 120 exhibitors. We hope that you will enjoy your time here, and meet with fellow growers, advisors, researchers, and industry representatives. We want you to leave with new ideas and new information that will have a positive impact on your farm.

Full conference brochure and registration and accommodation information here:  https://newenglandvfc.org/. Rooms in main hotel are sold out, but nearby hotels are available—book soon!

Water Use Survey

Thanks to all of you who have already filled out the UVM Extension/UMass Amherst Extension survey on Whole Farm Water Use! For those of you who have not, we encourage you to take 10 minutes to do so. We really value your input! To plan this work to best meet your needs we want to know more about your current practices, and your concerns. Thank you!: https://survey.uvm.edu/index.php/972258?newtest=Y&lang=en

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How to enroll a diversified veggie & fruit farm in Whole Farm Revenue Protection Crop Insurance

A revenue-protection policy for diversified farms

Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) is a crop insurance policy that protects a farm’s adjusted gross revenue from production losses or decline in market prices due to natural causes. WFRP acts as an umbrella policy because revenue from multiple crops, livestock, and nursery products is insurable. Farmers must furnish a fair amount of records to the crop insurance agent to enroll in this policy. The purpose of this factsheet is to explain the required records so that farmers can understand the policy and prepare for a meeting with a crop insurance agent.

Locating a crop insurance agent

 The deadline to enroll in WFRP is March 15, 2018 for insurance during the 2018 growing season, but farmers should begin the sign-up process with a crop insurance agent well in advance of the deadline to ensure coverage. Having your farm records organized before you meet with an agent is favorable.

Locate a crop insurance agent using the online agent locator tool: (https://prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov/apps/AgentLocator/#/).

(Click on “RMA Agent Locator”. On next page, enter your location in box at top left, and in “Licensed in” box on right, click on Maine in the drop-down menu. Adjust other filters as desired, then click on blue “Search” box.)

More Information

Visit the UMaine Risk Management and Crop Insurance website at: https://extension.umaine.edu/agriculture/crop-insurance/

Contact Crop Insurance Education Program Manager Erin Roche erin.roche@maine.edu or 207.949.2490