News & Events

Farm Scoop – August 2020

Recovery Grant Opportunity The State of Maine just launched the Maine Economic Recovery Grant Program through the ME Dept. of Economic Development. The ME Bureau of Agriculture has also tasked a staff member to help farmers prepare to apply for the program, which has a VERY short application period (August 21- September 9, 2020). Grants up to […]

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Farm Scoop – July 2020

Small Bites – Talking about Stress Authored by Coach Polly Shkya Small Bites are short, informational articles with practical ideas about stress reduction, improved communication, and farmer well-being. They are written by coaches from UMaine Extension’s Farm Coaching team. Farm Coaches are available at no cost to work remotely with farmers and farm teams.  Talking […]

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Farm Scoop – June 2020

Public and Private Collaboration Assists with Maine Harvest Season Labor Needs 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 with farmers and farm families. Some […]

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Farm Scoop – May 2020

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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Farm Scoop – April 2020

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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Changes to Federal Crop Insurance due to COVID-19

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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Board of Agriculture Meeting Minutes, March 12, 2020

Augusta, Maine Present: Board of Agriculture Members: A. Beal; D. Bell; S. Belle; H. Carter; R. Causey; J. Dill; C. Hickman; E. Mallory; D. Marean; M. Meyerhans; D. Pierson; J. Smith; H. Spalding; L. Turner (for R. Turner) University of Maine Representatives: R. Brzozowski; M. Hutton; M. Teisl; J. Ward University of Maine System Representatives: […]

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Farm Scoop – March 2020

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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Federal Risk Management Programs Expanded to Include Maine Grown Hemp

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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Farm Scoop – February 2020

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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