Downeast Agriculture and Forestry Conference

ocean bay with fishing boats and a high tunnel with tomato cropsSaturday, March 22, 2025
8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
University of Maine at Machias
Reynold’s Center
116 O’Brien Avenue, Machias, Maine 04654

This event brings agricultural and forestry management experts from UMaine, local agencies, and non-profit organizations to Machias to share information with Washington County farmers, growers, and forestland owners. The day will begin with two concurrent session tracks with one for Agriculture and one for Forestry, followed by lunch. Then we will hear from NRCS on the important opportunities available for both farm and forestland owners. Specific topics will include avian flock disease management, wild blueberry field management, using crop and pest forecasting tools, advanced high tunnel vegetable production, maple production, climate smart forestry management, and Christmas tree farm management. Throughout the day participants will be able to connect with local representatives from UMaine, local agencies and non-profits who can assist them that day and in the future.

Cost: Pay what you can ($0-$60)

Registration Coming Soon

For more information contact Rachel White, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock.

2025 Agenda Coming Soon

2024 Agenda

Please note, some sessions have two tracks (agriculture and forestry) and others are combined.

Agriculture – Torrey Hall Room 230

8:00-8:45 Wild Blueberry Production and Weather Tools
Dr. Lily Calderwood (UMaine Wild Blueberry Specialist)

8:45-9:15 Advanced High Tunnel Production
Dr. Mark Hutton (UMaine Vegetable Specialist)

9:30-10:15 Protect your Flock from Avian Influenza
Rachel White (UMaine Sustainable Agriculture and Livestock Specialist)

Forestry – Torrey Hall Room 228

8:00-8:30 District Foresters: Helping you make informed decisions about Maine’s forests
Michael Jensen (Maine Forest Service District Forester)

8:30-9:00 Maine Woodland Owners Association
Ernest Carle (Chapter Leader, Washington County)

9:00-9:30 Growing Downeast Stewardship Hubs
Logan Johnson (Maine TREE Foundation Executive Director)

9:30-10:15 Maple Production – Stand Assessment to Syrup
Jason Lilley (UMaine Maple Industry Educator)

10:15-10:30 – BREAK

Both Agriculture and Forestry – Torrey Hall Room 226

10:30-11:00 Celebration Tree Farm and Wellness Center
Thomas Prohl (Farm Operations Manager)

11:00-11:30 Christmas Tree Integrated Pest Management
Brett Johnson (UMaine Sustainable Agriculture)

11:30-12:00 Top Tips More Producers Should Know for Success in Agritourism
Dr. Jason Entsminger (UMaine Small Business Specialist)

12:00 noon – LUNCH

Both Agriculture and Forestry – Torrey Hall Room 230

1:00-1:45 NRCS Updates
Chuck Penney (Natural Resources Conservation Service Outreach Coordinator)

Agriculture – Torrey Hall Room 230

1:45-2:15 Climate and Agriculture
Dr. Sean Birkel (UMaine Climatologist)

2:15-2:45 Downeast Agricultural Needs Discussion
Dr. Lily Calderwood (Facilitator)

Forestry – Torrey Hall Room 228

1:45-2:15 Climate Smart Forestry
Sean Horan (UMaine & NRCS Climate Smart Forestry)

2:15-2:45 Downeast Forestry Needs Discussion
Drs. Jessica Leahy & Nicole Rogers (Facilitator)

If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Tara Wood at tara.a.wood@maine.edu or 207.255.3345 to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 10 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however all requests will be considered.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).