Farm Scoop – April 2019

April 17, 2019 Farm Scoop

Shared-Use Farm Equipment (SUFE) Program

Through this service, MOFGA provides an opportunity for farmers to borrow farm equipment at a reasonable cost. Farmers can join for an annual enrollment fee of $100, giving them access to the following equipment:

SEEDBED CULTIVATOR
2-SHANK SUBSOILER
PLASTIC MULCH LAYER
CUSTOM RIDGE TILLER
CUSTOM STRIP TILLER
3D PRINTER

How to participate:

1. Fill out the enrollment form and send it with the annual enrollment fee (see link below)
2. Attend an equipment training
3. Schedule equipment use via the online Google calendar or by contacting MOFGA4. Pick up and return the equipment to MOFGA according to scheduleContact Info:
Enrollment
Bo Dennis
(207) 568-6016
bdennis@mofga.org
Scheduling, logistics
John McIntire
568-7597, 568-6015
johnm@mofga.org

Download the enrollment form here (PDF)

Maine Migrant Education Program

The Maine Migrant Education Program (MEP) provides free educational assistance to families who move to work in agriculture or fishing. Children in these families often struggle to succeed academically because of frequent moves, poverty, and other barriers. The MEP provides services to help migratory children and youth (ages 0-20) succeed in school by maintaining their grade level and meeting high academic standards.. Program staff also advocate for families and connect them with other necessary services.
The Maine Migrant Education Program is administered by Mano en Mano / Hand in Hand, a nonprofit with offices Downeast and in Portland. Mano en Mano staff located throughout Maine work closely with families in their region providing services such as tutoring and advocacy.
To qualify for Migrant Education services, a family must have moved from one school district to another within the past three years to do seasonal or temporary work in agriculture or fishing.  We work with families who move from one part of Maine to another, to Maine from other states, or to Maine from other countries. If you or an employee of yours has moved within the past three years to do agriculture or fishing work and are interested in receiving free educational support, you may contact:
Sean Douglas
Enrollment and Outreach Coordinator
(207) 598-8925
sdouglas@manomaine.org
Spring Growth Conference 2019image.png
April 27, 2019
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center, Unity

Fees: $20 for MOFGA members and certified organic growers; $30 for non-members
(Note: This event is freefor current MOFGA apprenticeship host farms and Jp’s.) Click here to register!

Lunch is included

The program at Spring Growth this year will help you navigate the legalities of hiring and managing farm labor. Learn from other farmers about their farm labor models. Come talk about farm labor law, different labor model strategies and how to adjust to labor shortages. The day will feature two panels, including one of farmers with different labor strategies, and one of service providers who will speak about labor law. A round table portion of the day will focus on tips and tricks for different labor models.  

MOFGA’S FARM TRAINING PROJECT

Designed to augment the on-farm learning of the farm apprenticeship program, MOFGA’s Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops follow an informal format, usually beginning with a farm tour followed by a presentation on the topic of the day. Participants are invited to stay for a potluck supper – bring a dish or something fresh from the farm to share (please bring your own place setting as well). All events are held rain or shine and are free and open to the public. For details or directions to workshops, call 568-4142, email: education@mofga.org , or check the FTP website .

ORGANIC FARMING: PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES

BASIC LIVESTOCK HANDLING

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 10 AM-3 PM AT MISTY BROOK FARM , ALBION

Knowing proper handling and first aid techniques can save lots of money and grief when adding livestock to the farm. Jacki Perkins, along-time homesteader and MOFGA’s Dairy Specialist, will be at Misty Brook Farm in Albion, Maine teaching livestock handling. Misty Brook Farm farm boasts a variety of amiable livestock, which are accustomed to intensive handling, and uniquely suited as a training tool. Everyone will leave the session with the confidence they need to safely handle animals and completing this training will benefit current or future employment. Please register for this event.

ORGANIC FARMING: PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES

CROP PRODUCTION

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 10 AM-3 PM AT MOFGA’S COMMON GROUND EDUCATION CENTER , UNITY

Join crop specialist, Caleb Goosen from MOFGA’s Agricultural Services Department and Alex Either, MOFGA’s farmer in residence of Killdeer Croft Farm, for a one-day introductory course in organic crop farming. Caleb will cover theory and best practices for organic management of soils and crops. After lunch Alex and Caleb will tour the MOFGA’s grounds to discuss farm plantings. Please register for this event.

Attention Fresh Produce Growers! Represent Maine at PMA Fresh Summit

PMA Fresh 2019


You are invited and encouraged to apply for exhibiting Maine produce in the State of Maine Pavilion at the PMA Fresh Summit being held in Anaheim, California from October 17 to 19, 2019.

Why should you exhibit at PMA Fresh Summit?

  • Booth space, set up and services paid by department worth over $13,000!
  • Now offering 1st time pavilion attendees an additional $1,000 reimbursement towards travel expenses.
  • Over 20,000 people from over 65 countries visit!
  • Market your business to national and worldwide decision makers!