{"id":8968,"date":"2017-10-03T09:45:17","date_gmt":"2017-10-03T13:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/agriculture\/?p=8968"},"modified":"2018-03-05T10:02:23","modified_gmt":"2018-03-05T15:02:23","slug":"farm-scoop-october-2017","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/agriculture\/2017\/10\/03\/farm-scoop-october-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Farm Scoop – October 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

Crop Insurance Deadline Approaching –\u00a0November 20, 2017 is the sales closing date for the 2018 crop year<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Apple crop insurance protects a producer\u2019s average crop yields from weather-related issues causing yield loss. Producers can choose to insure their apple crop at a catastrophic level (CAT) which protects 50% of their average crop yield and pays at 55% of the price election at a loss; or, at higher coverage levels called \u201cbuy-up\u201d which protects 50 to 75% of their average crop yield and 100% of the price election. The 2018 price elections are $12.20 per bushel ($6.71 per bushel for CAT) for \u201cfresh market\u201d conventional and organic apples. Price elections also exist for processing apples and different varietal groups. The USDA Apple Crop Insurance fact sheet can be found on the Risk Management Agency website at: www.rma.usda.gov\/fields\/nc_rso\/2018\/2018apples.pdf<\/a>. Alternatively, those interested in coverage on multiple crops should speak with an agent about Whole Farm Revenue Protection.<\/p>\n

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Northeast SARE Invites Farmer Grant Applications –\u00a0Due Online by Tuesday, December 5, 2017<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The call for applications for 2018 Farmer Grants has been released by the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program.<\/p>\n

Proposals are due online by Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Funded projects will be announced in March 2018 and projects may begin in the spring.<\/p>\n

Northeast SARE Farmer Grants are intended for farm business owners and managers who would like to explore new sustainable production and marketing practices\u2014often through an experiment, trial or on-farm demonstration. Reviewers look for innovation, potential for improved sustainability, and results that will be useful to other farmers.<\/p>\n

Awards are capped at $15,000 and projects may address the wide range of issues that affect farming in the Northeast. To search topics that SARE has previously funded, please access the national database of projects at:\u00a0https:\/\/projects.sare.org\/search-projects\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Grower and Processor National Needs Assessment<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There is a national grower and processor needs assessment currently underway and is seeking additional input from the Northeast. The\u00a0Local Food Safety Collaborative<\/a>\u00a0aims to provide specialized training, education, and outreach to farmers and food processors who serve local markets. They are conducting a\u00a0food safety survey<\/a>\u00a0until\u00a0October 31, 2017<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to help direct their resources to best enhance fundamental food safety knowledge and help small farmers and processors comply with applicable Food Safety Modernization Act regulations.<\/p>\n

How will this work benefit the Northeast?<\/b><\/p>\n

The overall results of this survey will be shared with the region but more specifically, the goal is to get enough responses from growers and processors in order to generate regional statistically significant outcomes, allowing regionally relevant specific information to be shared. This will include a discussion of identified grower and processor barriers to implementing food safety practices, such as types of material and training needs for growers and processors.<\/p>\n

The survey will talk about 20 minutes, is available in English and Spanish and participants can choose to enter a raffle to win 1 of 20 $100 gift cards. Responses are anonymous and confidential.<\/p>\n

Survey can be found at\u00a0www.localfoodsafety.org\/survey<\/a><\/p>\n

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Rural Energy for America Program<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a FINAL reminder that the next Rural Energy for America Program (REAP<\/a>) grant application competition deadline is now just two weeks away. Applications for the first competition of fiscal year 2018 must be received by the close of business (4:30 p.m.) on October 31, 2017. A few things to remember:<\/p>\n