For more information contact us at<\/p>\n
- \n
- farmhands@farmbrite.com<\/a><\/li>\n
- Twitter<\/a><\/li>\n
- Facebook<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nPublic Invited to Attend Farm Bill Informational Meetings<\/h3>\n
The Farm Service Agency and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service are planning a series of Farm Bill informational meetings to be held at the following dates and corresponding locations:<\/p>\n
Buxton
\n<\/strong>November 6, 2014<\/strong> from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
\nBuxton Town Hall
\n185 Portland Road, Buxton, ME 04093<\/p>\nSouth Paris
\n<\/strong>November 6, 2014<\/strong> from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
\nTuscany Hall Function Center
\n17 Olson Road, South Paris, ME 04281<\/p>\nNew Gloucester
\n<\/strong>November 7, 2014<\/strong> from 2 p.m .to 4 p.m.
\nPineland Farms The Commons Mt. Washington Room
\n59 Pineland Drive, New Gloucester, ME 04260<\/p>\nAugusta
\n<\/strong>November 10, 2014<\/strong> from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
\nMaine Forest Products Council
\n535 Civic Center Drive, Augusta, ME 04330<\/p>\nMachias
\n<\/strong>November 10, 2014<\/strong> from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
\nUMM\/Machias, ME 04654<\/p>\nWaldoboro
\n<\/strong>November 12, 2014<\/strong> from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
\nKnox-Lincoln Cooperative Extension
\n377 Manktown Road, Waldoboro, ME 04572<\/p>\nExeter
\n<\/strong>November 13, 2014<\/strong> from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
\nExeter Town Hall
\n1220 Stetson Road, Exeter, ME 04435<\/p>\nHinckley
\n<\/strong>November 17, 2014<\/strong> from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
\nGood Will-Hinckley, Prescott Cafeteria
\n16 Prescott Drive, Hinckley, ME 04944<\/p>\nFarmington
\n<\/strong>November 24, 2014<\/strong> from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
\nUMF, Lincoln Auditorium
\nFarmington, ME 04938<\/p>\n
\nEducational Programs — Sheep & Goat Seminar
![\"goats\"](\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/agriculture\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2014\/04\/Goat-300x226.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/h3>\nThe 2014 Sheep & Goat Seminar will focus on animal health in the northeast and equip producers with skills and knowledge to keep their animals healthy and productive. Topics will include disease prevention, detecting disease, common diseases, health-related tools, and the Scrapie program.<\/p>\n
Date:<\/strong> Saturday, November 15, 2014<\/p>\n
Time:<\/strong> 9:00 am – 4:00 pm<\/p>\n
Location:<\/strong> Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield, Maine<\/p>\n
Cost:<\/strong> $35 per person (lunch and handout notebook are included)<\/p>\n
Instructors:<\/strong> Dr. James Weber, DVM; Dr. Anne Lichtenwalner, DVM; Dr. Richard Brzozowski, PhD; and a practicing veterinarian.<\/p>\n
\nUSDA Extends Dairy Margin Protection Program Deadlines<\/h3>\n
Enrollment Continues Through Dec. 5; Comments Accepted Until Dec. 15<\/p>\n
GRAPEVINE, Texas, Oct. 29, 2014 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, speaking at the National Milk Producers Federation annual meeting, today announced extended deadlines for the dairy Margin Protection Program. Farmers now have until Dec. 5, 2014, to enroll in the voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill. The program provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer.<\/p>\n
“We want dairy producers to have enough time to make thoughtful and well-studied choices,” said Vilsack. “Markets change and the Margin Protection Program can help protect dairy producers from those changes.”<\/p>\n
Vilsack encouraged producers to use the online Web resource at www.fsa.usda.gov\/mpptool<\/a> to calculate the best levels of coverage for their dairy operation. “Historical scenarios also can be explored to see how the Margin Protection Program would function should poor market conditions occur again in the future,” said Vilsack. The secure website can be accessed via computer, smartphone or tablet.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also extended the opportunity for public comments on both the Margin Protection Program and the Dairy Product Donation Program until Dec. 15, 2014.<\/p>\n
“USDA is committed to creating strong opportunities for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. When dairy producers bring new family members into the business, these changes could affect safety net coverage,” said Vilsack. “If our current rules hinder intergenerational changes or if improvements are needed in these programs, then we want to hear from dairy producers.”<\/p>\n
Comments can be submitted to USDA via the regulations.gov website at http:\/\/go.usa.gov\/GJSA<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Today’s announcement was made possible through the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past five years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov\/farmbill<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nPollinator Habitat Enhancement Plan (PHEP)
\nFunding Opportunity![\"Bee](\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/agriculture\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2014\/08\/Bee-3-300x214.jpg\")
<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\nWhat is a PHEP?<\/h4>\n
A Pollinator Habitat Enhancement Plan (PHEP) is a Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) developed for a client that addresses the improvement, restoration, enhancement, expansion of flower-rich habitat that supports native and\/or managed pollinators.<\/p>\n
The PHEP will meet NRCS quality criteria for soil erosion control, water quality, soil quality, plant condition, fish and wildlife, pasture\/woodland health and productivity, and other identified resource concerns.<\/p>\n
The plan will identify client objectives such as:<\/h4>\n
- \n
- Improve pollination service provided by wild (unmanaged) bees by:<\/li>\n
- Increasing floral diversity and ensuring continuous and diverse bloom,<\/li>\n
- Increasing undisturbed habitat\/ground (including the creation of alkali or other ground-nesting bee beds),<\/li>\n
- Increasing nesting opportunities for tunnel-nesting bees, and<\/li>\n
- Providing pollinator refugia.<\/li>\n
- Improve pollen diversity and nectar availability for managed bees kept on site.<\/li>\n
- Increase diversity and availability of butterfly host plants.<\/li>\n
- A PHEP may be developed for either farms or forestland.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Developing a PHEP<\/h4>\n
Pollinator Habitat Enhancement Plans will be developed by an independent Technical Service Provider (TSP). You will be responsible for contacting and hiring the TSP. You can find the names of certified TSPs at http:\/\/techreg.usda.gov\/<\/a>, or through your local NRCS office (listed on page 2).<\/p>\n
Financial Assistance<\/h4>\n
NRCS provides part of the payment to eligible participants through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) based on average costs associated with practice implementation. A conservation activity plan must be approved in a participant’s contract as a financial assistance item in order for the participant to receive $2,225 (*non-local $3,231) for the development of the PHEP. Participants classified as Historically Underserved will receive $2,669 (*non-local $3,877). The NRCS payments are fixed, regardless of what a TSP charges for the plan. Participants are responsible for paying the difference.<\/p>\n
*No TSP available within a 300-mile radius of the work location.<\/p>\n
Application Deadline<\/h4>\n
Applications are being accepted on a continuous basis. However, applications received by December 20, 2014<\/strong> will be considered for funding in 2015.<\/p>\n
Need More Information? Contact:<\/h4>\n
Androscoggin\/Sagadahoc Counties
\n<\/strong>254 Goddard Road Lewiston, ME 04241-1938
\nTel: 207.753.9400<\/p>\nAroostook County:
\n<\/strong>Central Aroostook 735 Main Street, Suite #3 Presque Isle, ME 04769
\nTel: 207.764.4153<\/p>\nSouthern Aroostook
\n<\/strong>304 North Street Houlton, ME 04730-9527
\nTel: 207.532.2087<\/p>\nSt. John Valley
\n<\/strong>139 Market Street, Suite 106 Fort Kent, ME 04743-1425
\nTel: 207.834.3311<\/p>\nCumberland and York Counties:
\n<\/strong>306 U.S. Route 1, Suite A1
\nScarborough, ME 04074-9774
\nTel: 207.883.0159<\/p>\nFranklin County
\n<\/strong>107 Park Street Farmington, ME 04938-1915
\nTel: 207.778.4767<\/p>\nHancock County
\n<\/strong>1423 Broadway, Suite #4, Bangor, ME 04401
\nTel: 207.947.6622 ext. 5<\/p>\nKennebec and Lincoln Counties:
\n<\/strong>Central Maine Commerce Center
\n21 Enterprise Drive, Suite #1 Augusta, ME 04330
\nTel: 207.622.7847<\/p>\nOxford County
\n<\/strong>17 Olson Road, So. Paris, ME 04281
\nTel: 207.743.5789<\/p>\nPenobscot County
\n<\/strong>1423 Broadway, Suite #2 Bangor, ME 04401
\nTel: 207.947.6622<\/p>\nPiscataquis County
\n<\/strong>42 Engdahl Drive Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426-3717
\nTel: 207.564.2321<\/p>\nSomerset County
\n<\/strong>12 High Street, Suite #3 Skowhegan, ME 04976-1998
\nTel: 207.474.8324<\/p>\nWaldo and Knox Counties:
\n<\/strong>266 Waterville Road Belfast, ME 04915-1224
\nTel: 207.338.1964<\/p>\nWashington County
\n<\/strong>8 M & M Place, Suite #5B Machias, ME 04654-0121
\nTel: 207.255.3995<\/p>\n
\nUSDA Releases New State-by-State “Made in Rural America” Report — New Data Demonstrates Obama Administration’s Record Breaking Investments in Rural America<\/h3>\n
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2014 – As part of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) commitment to strengthening rural economies, Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new state-by-state “Made in Rural America” report illustrating the impact of USDA investments in rural communities. Each state factsheet highlights specific USDA investments in rural businesses manufacturing, energy, water and other infrastructure development. They also outline how USDA is helping rural communities attract businesses and families by investing in housing and broadband.<\/p>\n
“This report shows what investment in rural America means in real terms for families and businesses across the country,” said Vilsack. “Throughout the Obama Administration, USDA has created employment opportunities in rural America through investments in manufacturing, energy and small businesses. At the same time, we are bringing reliable services like water, housing and broadband to make these same communities attract and retain a talented workforce. This report proves that the entrepreneurial spirit is strong in rural America.”<\/p>\n
These fact sheets reflect Secretary Vilsack’s efforts to strengthen the “four pillars” of a new economy in rural America: developing a robust bio-based economy; promoting exports and production agriculture fueled by increased productivity and research; encouraging conservation including land management, stewardship and outdoor recreational opportunities; and building a strong local and regional food system to harness entrepreneurial innovation and help small and medium-sized family farms succeed in rural America.<\/p>\n
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