Small Bites – Practical Tips for Farm Resiliency – What’s a SWOC and how can it help? Small Bites are short, informational articles with practical ideas about stress reduction, improved communication, and family well-being. They are written by coaches from UMaine Extension’s Farm Coaching team. Farm Coaches are available at no cost to work remotely […]
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Navigating the PPP Loan Application Webinar Join us for a special Legal Food Hub webinar Tuesday, April 28th at 1:00PM EST. Mary Rose Scozzafava is a volunteer attorney for the Legal Food Hub and a board member of a small local community farm in Lexington, MA. She recently assisted the farm in applying for a PPP […]
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Due to COVID-19, the USDA Risk Management Agency, authorized additional flexibility to producers who are using federal crop insurance. Changes include: allowing policyholders to submit electronic notifications for production reporting etc., an extension of production reporting dates, and allowing policyholders additional time to make premium payments. As always policyholders should communicate with their crop insurance […]
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COVID-19 and Maine Ag FAQ University of Maine has just launched a site for you to submit your COVID-19 related agriculture questions. Answers will be posted on this FAQ site. Please submit your questions and share with other farmers. New England Grassroots Environmental Fund The COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund is for groups of three people minimum, […]
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the availability of two programs that protect hemp producers’ crops from yield loss resulting from adverse weather such as drought, excess moisture, hail, frost, freeze, etc. Maine was one of twenty-one states included in a pilot hemp Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) program. The MPCI program provides coverage against loss […]
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Wild Blueberry Conference 2020 UMaine Wild Blueberry Conference Date: February 22, 2020 (Snow date Feb 29) Location: Hollywood Casino, 500 Main St., Bangor, ME 04401 Time: 8:30 am – 4:15 pm Registration Deadline: February 16, 2020. Register early, space is limited to 200. Growing Hemp in Maine Interest in hemp production has increased significantly with the passage of […]
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March 15, 2020 is the deadline to enroll, cancel, or change policy coverage for crop insurance on spring-seeded crops in Maine such as corn, sweet corn, barley, oats, spring wheat, and potato. Those producing other, “non-insurable” spring-seeded crops such as tomatoes, pumpkins, squash, etc. may seek coverage through the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) available through the Farm […]
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Qualified hemp growers in Maine will be eligible for a hemp crop insurance pilot program. The Multi-Peril coverage is for hemp grown for fiber, grain or CBD oil for the 2020 crop year. Policy details are forthcoming. The deadline to enroll for 2020 coverage is March 15, 2020. To learn more, contact a private licensed crop […]
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Deadline for Conservation Reserve Program General Signup USDA Reminds Producers of February 28, 2020 deadline for Conservation Reserve Program General Signup. CRP is a land conservation program administered by FSA. In exchange for a yearly rental payment, farmers enrolled in the program agree to remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production and plant species that […]
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Boots-2-Bushels: Boot Camp for Market Gardeners and Farmers Do you want to learn how to go from seed to salary with this FREE course for military veterans interested in growing and selling their own farm produce? Participants who attend all classes and participate in the growing program will earn a Certificate of Completion and Letter […]
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