{"id":9714,"date":"2018-10-05T09:58:13","date_gmt":"2018-10-05T13:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/agriculture\/?p=9714"},"modified":"2018-11-28T10:45:14","modified_gmt":"2018-11-28T15:45:14","slug":"farm-scoop-october-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/agriculture\/2018\/10\/05\/farm-scoop-october-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Farm Scoop – October 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Webinar: Dairy Revenue Protection Program<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Webinar offered on new dairy revenue protection program<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact: Erin Roche, 207.949.2940, erin.roche@maine.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Orono, Maine\u2014University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering a free webinar about Dairy Revenue Protection<\/a>, a new program of the USDA Risk Management Agency, on Oct. 30 from 12 noon\u20131 p.m.<\/p>\n

The webinar provides a program overview with\u00a0an emphasis on the differences between the two pricing options \u2013 class and component \u2013 and a demonstration of the cost estimator tool available on the RMA website<\/a>. The presenters will be Mike Ciliege, from the Kansas City Risk Management Agency Product Administration and Standards Division and William Barnes, Jr., deputy director of the Raleigh regional office, USDA Risk Management Agency.<\/p>\n

The program is free; registration is required.\u00a0 Click here to register online<\/a>. For more information contact Erin Roche, 207.949.2940, erin.roche@maine.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

University of Maine Cooperative Extension:<\/h4>\n

As a trusted resource for over 100 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county. UMaine Extension helps support, sustain and grow the food-based economy. It is the only entity in our state that touches every aspect of the Maine Food System, where policy, research, production, processing, commerce, nutrition, and food security and safety are integral and interrelated. UMaine Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H.<\/p>\n

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Deadline: Apple Crop Insurance, 2019 year<\/strong><\/h3>\n

November 20, 2018 is the sales closing date for the 2019 crop year <\/em><\/h4>\n

It\u2019s that time of year when you need to review your crop insurance options! 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 pays 100% of the price election. The 2019 price elections are $11.50 per bushel ($6.33 per bushel for CAT) for \u201cfresh market\u201d conventional and organic apples. Price elections also exist for different varietal groups and processing apples. A portion of the premium cost is subsidized by the USDA. Crop insurance is sold by private crop insurance agents. Locate a crop insurance agent at: prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov\/apps\/AgentLocator\/#\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, those interested in coverage on multiple crops should speak with an agent about Whole Farm Revenue Protection.<\/p>\n

Perspectives from the field <\/em><\/h4>\n

Watch a short video about apple crop insurance from the owners of The Apple Farm in Fairfield, Maine:\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/zSwklhPcPWM<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Watch a video about Whole Farm Revenue Protection from the owner of Circle B Farms in Caribou Maine: https:\/\/youtu.be\/aC9k_rNvGbM<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For questions please contact Crop Insurance Education Program Manager, Erin Roche, 207.949.2490 or erin.roche@maine.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is in partnership with the USDA RMA to deliver crop insurance education in Maine. For more information, please visit the UMaine Risk Management and Crop Insurance website <\/em>extension.umaine.edu\/agriculture\/crop-insurance\/<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

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GRANT OPPORTUNITY:\u00a0<\/strong>TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR GRAIN-BASED BUSINESSES<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Greetings!<\/em><\/p>\n

Do you own a grain-based business in Maine?\u00a0The 2018 Technical Assistance Grant Program is now accepting applications. See full details about the program and the proposal requirements below.<\/em><\/p>\n

Warmest regards,<\/em>
\n Maine Grain Alliance<\/em><\/p>\n

The Maine Grain Alliance seeks applications to award mini-grants of\u00a0$250 – $1,000.\u00a0 The mini-grants are to\u00a0fund need-based technical assistance (TA) and equipment that will help grain-based business owners secure economic opportunities in Maine.<\/p>\n

Examples of technical assistance might include, but are not limited to: hiring someone to help with business planning, hiring a consultant, advisor or expert, marketing\/logo\/brand development, website creation, attending a course or mentoring opportunity, hiring an architect, engineer, mechanical specialist, buying a needed piece of machinery or getting legal support. Please specify one area of technical assistance for which you are seeking grant support.<\/p>\n

Grain-based business owners and entrepreneurs demonstrating financial need are welcome to apply. The Maine Grain Alliance is especially interested in assisting participants, presenters, panelists, work-study students, and scholarship recipients of the\u00a0Kneading Conference<\/a>\u00a0which has been held annually since 2007.<\/p>\n

For more information about the Maine Grain Alliance and its other programs, please visit\u00a0www.mainegrainalliance.org<\/a>\u00a0The Maine Grain Alliance is a 501c3 non-profit organization. This technical assistance grant program is made possible by the generous support of\u00a0Skowhegan Savings<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Allagash Brewing Company<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Click here to download application: Request for Proposal (PDF)<\/a><\/p>\n

Application Deadline: December 1st, 2018 –\u00a05:00 pm<\/p>\n

Awards Announcement: Late December<\/p>\n

Please email completed proposals to:\u00a0tristan@mainegrainalliance.com<\/p>\n

Click here for examples of previous grantees:\u00a0TA Grant Overview<\/a><\/p>\n

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VegetableGrowers: Expand Your Tunnel Vision II<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Please visit the\u00a0University of New Hampshire Extension website here<\/a>\u00a0for information on the “Expand Your Tunnel Vision II: 2018 High Tunnel Production Conference”. This conference is for high tunnel vegetable growers and agricultural service providers of all experience levels.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
Expand Your Tunnel Vision II: 2018 High Tunnel Production Conference<\/a><\/b><\/div>\n
Monday, December 3, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.<\/div>\n
Tuesday, December 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.<\/div>\n
Manchester Downtown Hotel, 700 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101<\/div>\n
Venue Phone: 603-625-1000<\/div>\n

Registration is required. Registration deadline is November 26.<\/p>\n

Cost: $75 for first participant, $40 for additional participants from same farm, or for students.<\/div>\n
Fee covers both days and includes lunch on Day 2. There is no discount for only attending one day.<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
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For additional information about the conference, please contact Teresa Locke at 603-787-6944 or\u00a0teresa.locke@unh.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

USDA Offers Secure, Convenient Online Business Options <\/b><\/h3>\n

Farmers, Ranchers and Foresters Encouraged to Sign-In\/Sign-Up<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Bangor, ME<\/b> \u2013 October 17, 2018 – Farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers in Maine have new online options to access U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. Through USDA\u2019s new streamlined process producers can now register, track and manage their applications for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) and 2017 Wildfires Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP) on the secure and convenient <\/span>https:\/\/www.farmers.gov\/sign-in<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can conduct business with USDA <\/span>from the comfort of your home, office, or mobile device,\u201d<\/span> said SED Dave Lavway, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) <\/span>Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director for Maine<\/span>. \u201cThese online services save time, reduce paperwork and, in some cases, speed up processing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

MFP and 2017 WHIP are administered by FSA and are currently available on the <\/span>https:\/\/www.farmers.gov\/sign-in<\/span><\/a>. To apply and manage their applications online, producers first need to sign up for the <\/span>Level 2 eAuthentication<\/span><\/i> access. \u00a0Enrolling is a two-step process. For producers who do not already have an account can register for an account at <\/span>www.eauth.usda.gov<\/span><\/a>. After creating the account, customers receive a confirmation email with instructions for identity verification. Identity verification can be completed online or by presenting a government issued photo ID in person at a USDA service center.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to the programs available through the farmers.gov portal, other programs offered by FSA can be managed at the <\/span>Online Services page<\/span><\/a> with the same eAuthentication credentials.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe know doing business online has become a key part of many agricultural operations and hope our online services can provide the ease and convenience you\u2019ve come to expect,\u201d said Lavway. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Individual producers have many options available for conducting business online with USDA agencies including FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Risk Management Agency (RMA).<\/span> Online tools such as the NRCS <\/span>Conservation Client Gateway<\/span><\/a> offer customers added flexibility and a secure web portal to track payments, report completed practices, request assistance, and sign documents. <\/span>Level 2 eAuthentication access is not yet available for entities, but it is available for individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n

To learn more about conducting business with USDA online and to locate the nearest USDA service center, visit <\/span>www.farmers.gov<\/span><\/a>. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.<\/i><\/strong><\/h6>\n
\n

Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Deadline Approaching<\/strong><\/h3>\n

November 15, 2018 is the sales closing date<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) crop insurance protects grazing or haying acres against a single peril – lack of precipitation. Producers must enroll with a licensed crop insurance agent before the November 15 deadline for 2019 coverage. To learn more about PRF and to hear from a Massachusetts farmer who has used the policy, please view the following webinar recorded last month. Visit our web page at: <\/span>www.extension.umaine.edu\/agriculture\/crop-insurance\/webinars\/<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

PRF protects against lower-than-normal precipitation<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

Unlike other types of crop insurance, PRF is not based on a farmer\u2019s historical crop yields. Rather, PRF protects against lower-than-normal precipitation using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The program uses a grid system of approximately 12 x 17 miles to track precipitation levels. Locate your grid at <\/span>www.prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov\/apps\/prf<\/span><\/a>. The PRF program is an area-based policy meaning coverage is based on the experience of the entire grid and not the experience of individual farms or specific weather stations in the general area. Losses occur when the reported NOAA precipitation for a 2-month interval is below a chosen percentage of the 50-year historical rainfall average for the grid. There is no claim paperwork to file and if an indemnity is owed, payments are mailed automatically.<\/span><\/p>\n

What to insure<\/span><\/i><\/h4>\n

Grazing or hay acreage: \u00a0<\/b>Producers choose to insure \u201cgrazing\u201d or \u201chaying\u201d acres. There is also an organic \u201chaying\u201d option.<\/span><\/p>\n

Months: \u00a0<\/b>Producers choose which months to insure but must choose a minimum of 2, two-month intervals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coverage levels: \u00a0<\/b>Producers select a coverage level from 70 to 90%. \u201cCoverage level\u201d refers to the percentage of average precipitation that triggers a payment. For example, a producer selects the 90% coverage level. At this level, if precipitation in their grid is below 90% of the average precipitation, they receive an automatic indemnity payment. The value of the indemnity payment depends on the productivity level selected. Producers must select productivity levels that are 60 to 150% of the \u201cbase value\u201d. Base values will change based on county. Contact a crop insurance agent for more information. <\/span><\/p>\n

Locate a crop insurance agent at: prodwebnlb.rma.usda.gov\/apps\/AgentLocator\/#\/<\/a>.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Expand your Tunnel Vision II: 2018 high tunnel production conference<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At the Manchester Downtown Hotel 700 Elm Street – Manchester, NH<\/b><\/p>\n

Register by November 26, 2018 To Register:<\/b>\u00a0http:\/\/bit.ly\/TunnelVision2<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Questions? Contact Teresa Locke at 603-787-6944 or teresa.locke@unh.edu $75 for first participant, $40 for additional participants from same farm, or for students The fee covers both days & includes lunch on Day 2. There is no discount for only attending one day.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Monday, December 3rd, from 1 – 6 p.m.<\/b><\/p>\n

– Test your knowledge & stump the region’s experts in three\u00a0<\/span>concurrent, engaging sessions focused on: Identifying insects & mites (good & bad!) in high tunnels; Identifying & managing common high tunnel diseases; Turning soil tests into practical recommendations<\/span><\/p>\n

– Featured Farm: Organic Family Farm 2.0 – Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Jobin-Lawler, L\u2019Abri-V\u00e9getal, Compton, Qu\u00e9bec<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

December 4th, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (includes lunch and trade show)<\/b><\/p>\n

-Keynote: Tunnel Vision: Looking back & thinking\u00a0<\/span>ahead about high tunnels in the northeast Vern Grubinger, University of Vermont<\/span><\/p>\n

-Setting up a bio-control program that works for you<\/span><\/p>\n

Carol Glenister, IPM Laboratories<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

– Recent research in high tunnel soil management:<\/span><\/p>\n

Lessons & Becky Sideman, learned – UNH Bruce Extension<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Hoskins, University of Maine<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

-What\u2019s new and what\u2019s needed?<\/span><\/p>\n

Want to fine-tune your high tunnel crop production?<\/b><\/p>\n

This conference is for high tunnel vegetable growers and agricultural service providers of all experience levels. There will be plenty of opportunities to share expertise and learn from one another.<\/span><\/p>\n

– Grower Insights: Optimizing our high tunnel production systems – Tasha Dunning, Spring Ledge Farm, New London NH; Christa Alexander, Jericho Settlers\u2019 Farm, Jericho VT; Nate Drummond, Six River Farm, Bowdoinham ME; Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Jobin-Lawler, L\u2019Abri-V\u00e9getal, Compton, Qu\u00e9bec<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

– The Next Quagmire: How to water tunnels effectively<\/span><\/p>\n

Stephanie Burnett & Mark Hutton, University of Maine<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

PAT credits pending!<\/b><\/p>\n

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Post Harvest Washing\/Packing Survey<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We are seeking input regarding a research and education project with the goal of consolidating postharvest information in a single set of resources.<\/p>\n

Our proposed project aims to consolidate existing knowledge, best practices, and new developments in postharvest equipment, infrastructure, and buildings into a web-based handbook, workshop curriculum \/ educational materials and recorded videos.<\/p>\n

Where do you find information when considering new equipment, new buildings, and different practices?<\/p>\n

SURVEY LINK:\u00a0http:\/\/go.uvm.edu\/surveylist<\/a><\/p>\n

This survey is voluntary and anonymous. Summarized and anonymized results will be included in a grant project proposal and also posted on our website (go.uvm.edu\/ageng<\/a>). Please direct any questions to Chris Callahan,\u00a0chris.callahan@uvm.edu<\/a>, 802-447-7582 x256.<\/p>\n

The survey should take an average of 3 minutes to complete.<\/p>\n

Thanks for your help.<\/p>\n

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Brews for a Cause – Benefitting the Merrymeeting Food Council<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Wednesday, October 17th<\/p>\n

4-8pm at Flight Deck Brewing (11 Atlantic Ave, Brunswick)<\/p>\n

Local beer, local food, local music and friends!<\/p>\n

Have a food system business or organization to promote?<\/em> Let us help you enter it in the Maine Food Atlas!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Looking for music and dinner?<\/em> Enjoy The Whatley Brothers<\/strong> and Cook’s Takes Flight<\/strong> (music begins at 6pm)<\/p>\n

Want to celebrate the Merrymeeting Gleaners and our generous farmers?<\/em> Come join us!<\/p>\n

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Farmland Access & Transfer Conference<\/strong><\/h3>\n

December 3, 2018<\/h4>\n

Augusta Civic Center<\/h4>\n

Augusta, Maine Nearly 30% of New England\u2019s farmers are likely to exit farming in the next 10+ years, and 9 out of 10 of them are farming without a young farmer alongside. At the same time, access to land is one of the biggest challenges for beginning farmers in New England. Farmers, landowners, and farm advocates are invited to the fourth annual Farmland Access & Transfer Conference on December 3, 2018 at the Augusta Civic Center, Augusta ME co-hosted by Maine Farmland Trust<\/a> and Land For Good<\/a>. Learn strategies for tackling succession planning and incorporating a conservation easement into your farm access or transfer plan, plus how to find and secure farmland of your own, negotiate a good lease agreement, and more. It’s the largest conference in the region focused solely on land access. For more information or to register, go to mainefarmlandtrust.org\/access-2018<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Farm for Good – Farm Succession School in New Hampshire<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Are you looking toward your farm transition?<\/h4>\n

Bedford, NH: at Farm Credit East 2 Constitution Drive, Bedford, NH 10:00 a.m. \u2013 3:30 p.m. December 12, 2018 January 10, 2019 and February 7, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your commitment of three winter days will allow you to develop a concrete succession plan for your farm business, your land and your future.<\/p>\n

One of your biggest challenges is planning for farm succession. Attend this year\u2019s Farm Succession School! You\u2019ll get structured and sustained support to make decisions, engage your family, and organize the legal and financial mechanics.<\/p>\n

Topics include:<\/p>\n