{"id":2320,"date":"2013-07-01T07:00:13","date_gmt":"2013-07-01T11:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/agriculture\/?p=2320"},"modified":"2017-06-02T09:03:27","modified_gmt":"2017-06-02T13:03:27","slug":"farm-scoop-july-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/agriculture\/2013\/07\/01\/farm-scoop-july-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"Farm Scoop — July 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

York County Farm Network Twilight Sprayer Calibration Clinic<\/h3>\n

\"AirThe York County Farmers Network will hold a twilight sprayer calibration clinic for airblast and boom sprayers at McDougal Orchards, 201 Hanson Ridge Road, Springvale, on Tuesday, July 23 at 5:00 p.m. George Hamilton of the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension will demonstrate new tools for calibrating sprayers and will emphasize the importance of checking your sprayer’s calibration mid-season. Many factors can affect a sprayer’s output during the spray season. Recalibration exposes problems an operator might otherwise miss, such as worn nozzles or faulty gauges. The clinic is free and participants are asked to bring a bag lunch. Beverages and dessert will be provided by the York County Farmers Network. Participants will receive two pesticide applicator recertification credits. For more information call 207-324-5054 or e-mail mcdorch@gwi.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Wildlife Services in Maine<\/h3>\n

As a farmer you ought to know who to contact regarding wildlife problems. There is a new contact for Wildlife Services in Maine. She is Robin Dyer, State Director\/Certified Wildlife Biologist ®, USDA, APHIS, Wildlife Services, 79 Leighton Road, Suite 12, Augusta, ME 04330, telephone: 207.629.5181, e-mail: Robin.A.Dyer@aphis.usda.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Fresh Pizza from a Wood Fired Oven\"woman<\/a><\/h3>\n

One of the vendors at a farmers market in Ellensburg, Washington, designed and constructed a portable wood fired pizza oven. His family was selling pizza at $4 and $5 per slice. Would something like this make sense at your farm stand or market? If you want more information, send an e-mail to richard.brzozowski@maine.edu<\/a> and we will provide the farmer’s contact information.<\/p>\n

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Shopping Bags from Your Farm Stand or Farmers Market<\/h3>\n

\"customer<\/a>Another idea from the Washington market was the sale of shopping bags that promoted the market. Some consumers appreciate having something other than plastic or paper into which they place their goods. These bags sold for $15 each at the market.<\/p>\n

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Sweet Corn IPM<\/h3>\n

You can stay up to date with the latest information on pests and condition of sweet corn around Maine. The 2013 University of Maine Cooperative Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program for sweet corn is underway. Pheromone traps are being set up at volunteer farms to monitor the adult (moth) stages of European corn borer, corn earworm, and fall armyworm. We will also be scouting these fields for feeding injury by insect larvae. The information collected, along with management recommendations, will be shared every week through the University of Maine Sweet Corn IPM Newsletter. It will also be posted on the Highmoor Farm news and events blog<\/a>, where you can subscribe to weekly updates. If you would prefer to receive this newsletter via e-mail or regular mail, contact Pam St. Peter at 207.933.2100 or pamela.stpeter@maine.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Hay Website Resources<\/h3>\n
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  1. Hay and Forage Grower<\/a> (popular press)<\/li>\n
  2. Progressive Forage Grower<\/a> (popular press)<\/li>\n
  3. PA Forage and Grassland Council<\/a> (organization for hay, forage and pasture producers and industry personnel)<\/li>\n
  4. New Holland Haymaker’s Handbook<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Pennsylvania Machinery Custom rates<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    Highmoor Farm Summer Tour<\/h3>\n
    \"Tomatoes<\/a>
    High Tunnel Tomatoes; photo by Danielle Murray<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The Maine State Pomological Society and Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association will be joining with the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension to hold a public field day at Highmoor Farm in Monmouth on Wednesday, July 31, 2013, rain or shine.<\/p>\n

    Highmoor Farm is the Field Research Station for fruits and vegetables, and has been working with Maine farmers to improve crop production since 1909, when the farm was purchased by the state to carry out research on orchard practices. For more than 100 years, researchers at Highmoor Farm have helped to develop cultural techniques, new varieties, and pest management practices to improve the success of Maine’s vegetable and fruit farmers.<\/p>\n

    This year’s field day will include tours of current research projects in tree fruit, including new apple varieties with scab resistance, and projects in vegetables and berries, including grape and raspberry variety trials, sweet corn evaluations, pumpkin trials, broccoli evaluations, as well as high tunnel tomatoes, irrigation and compost application in high tunnels, trellis installation, and ORSI picking platforms.<\/p>\n

    \"ORSI<\/a>
    ORSI Picking Platform; photo by Renae Moran<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Participants may receive one Pesticide Applicator recertification credit for attending the morning program, and one Pesticide Applicator recertification credit for attending the tree fruit tour or the berry and vegetable tour. Growers are welcome to attend the whole day, or may come for just the morning or afternoon programs and tours. Whichever you decide, please plan to be there for lunch to share some time and informal discussion with fellow farmers, research and Extension staff, and state officials. Please contact Pam St. Peter at pamela.stpeter@maine.edu<\/a> or 207.933.2100 to preregister. Cost for registration (including lunch) is $20.00 per person and checks are to be made payable to University of Maine Cooperative Extension. For more information, visit the Highmoor Farm news and events blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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    Organic Grain Twilight Meeting and BBQ<\/h3>\n

    Tuesday, July 9, 2013
    \n5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
    \nUniversity of Maine Cooperative Extension Office
    \n57 Houlton Road, Presque Isle ME<\/p>\n

    Free, but pre-registration is required for the meal.<\/p>\n

    Please join us and learn more about:<\/p>\n