{"id":9376,"date":"2018-03-02T08:56:15","date_gmt":"2018-03-02T13:56:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/agriculture\/?p=9376"},"modified":"2018-03-21T10:45:43","modified_gmt":"2018-03-21T14:45:43","slug":"farm-scoop-march-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/agriculture\/2018\/03\/02\/farm-scoop-march-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Farm Scoop \u2013 March 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Keeping small ruminants healthy with UMaine Extension<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Keeping sheep, goats, alpacas and other small ruminants healthy is the focus of an\u00a0April 14<\/strong>\u00a0workshop from\u00a01\u20133 p.m.\u00a0at the Foxcroft Veterinary Clinic,\u00a01441 Dexter Road, Dover-Foxcroft.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by University of Maine Cooperative Extension, topics include what is considered normal for specific animals, including nutrition, vaccination schedules, deworming, foot care and basic veterinary care. Dr. Catarina Ruksznis, a large-animal veterinarian in Vermont, will lead the workshop. Ruksznis is originally from Dover-Foxcroft.<\/p>\n

Live demonstrations will be held in the barn. Participants must dress for the weather and wear shoes that can be disinfected on-site.<\/p>\n

The workshop is free; registration is requested. Register\u00a0online<\/u><\/a>. Youth under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.<\/p>\n

For more information or to request a disability accommodation contact 207.564.3301 or\u00a0extension.piscataquis@maine.edu<\/a> More information also is available online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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USDA to Measure Fruit and Berry Production<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct its end of season surveys for 2017 fruit and berry production beginning in April 2018. The surveys will collect information about acres, production and prices from more than 3,000 growers in the Northeastern region of the United States.<\/p>\n

In these survey, NASS asks participants to answer a variety of questions about apples, blueberries, cherries (tart), cranberries, grapes, peaches, and pears; depending on state and version of the questionnaire. For their convenience, survey participants have the option to respond online. As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law. NASS safeguards the confidentiality of all responses and publishes only state and national level data, ensuring that no individual producer or operation can be identified.<\/p>\n

NASS will compile, analyze, and publish survey results in the June 26, 2018 Noncitrus Fruit and Nuts<\/em> Report. All previous Noncitrus Fruit and Nuts<\/em> publications are available online at https:\/\/www.nass.usda.gov\/Publications<\/a>. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Northeastern Regional Field Office at 1.800.498.1518.<\/p>\n

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Food Safety for Midcoast Farmers \u2013 FREE<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Thursday, March 29 from \u00a05:30 – 7:00pm<\/strong><\/p>\n

Knox-Lincoln Extension,\u00a0377 Manktown Rd, Waldoboro<\/p>\n

FMI or to register:<\/strong>\u00a0596-2040 or\u00a0www.knox-lincoln.org\/beginning-farmer<\/a><\/p>\n

Join Jason Lilley, UMaine Extension Sustainable Farming Professional, to learn about on-farm hazards that may lead to food-borne illness & the practices that all farmers can implement to minimize risks. Lilley also will discuss the basics of the Food Safety Modernization Act and who must comply, but this program does not meet required FSMA training standards.<\/p>\n

This program is part of the\u00a02018 Farmer and Gardener Workshop Series<\/strong>, co-sponsored by Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District, Maine Coast Heritage Trust & Midcoast Farmers Alliance as part of.<\/p>\n

For information about all programs in the series, visit<\/strong>\u00a0www.knox-lincoln.org\/beginning-farmer<\/a><\/p>\n

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UMaine Grain Webinar \u2013 Expanding Crop Options and Markets<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Friday, March 23, 2018 \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>1:00 \u2013 2:30pm<\/strong><\/p>\n

1.5 Certified Crop Advisor and 1 pesticide credit have been requested for this event<\/p>\n

Due the snowstorm on March 8th<\/sup>, our annual Maine Grain Conference had to be cancelled but a number of our speakers agreed to give shortened versions of their talks for this webinar focused on \u201cExpanding Crop Options and Markets.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0Please join us to hear about:<\/p>\n

Scaling Up Production of Promising Crops in Maine<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jake Dyer, Maine Potato Board – Jake will discuss past research results and introduce a new project to develop best management practices for pulse and oilseed crops in Maine.<\/p>\n

PEIs Evolving Field Crop Industry<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alan Miller, Atlantic Grains Council, Prince Edward Island – Alan will describe trends in field crop markets and production in PEI and the work of the Atlantic Grains Council, including their coordinated on-farm research trials<\/p>\n

Lessons Learned in Vermont<\/strong><\/p>\n

Heather Darby, Agronomy Specialist, University of Vermont – Heather will talk about experiences in Vermont with dry beans, sunflowers, flax, and more.<\/p>\n

Connecting with Livestock Markets<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rick Kersbergen, University of Maine Cooperative Extension – Rick will discuss considerations for producing and marketing grain for livestock feed.<\/p>\n

HOW TO JOIN THE WEBINAR<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

You can join by phone or computer.<\/p>\n

By Computer<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll be using a video conferencing software called \u201cZoom,\u201d which you can download ahead of time (see below).\u00a0\u00a0Note that when you join the meeting, your mic and video will be automatically turned off but you will be able to see and hear the meeting host and presenters and use the chat function to ask questions.<\/p>\n

Use this link to join the meeting from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:\u00a0https:\/\/zoom.us\/j\/921878187<\/a><\/p>\n

To download and install the Zoom Application ahead of time:<\/p>\n