Bi-Weekly Maine Farm News- October 3rd, 2020

In This Edition

ARTICLES

OTHER INFO

Articles

Emergency Drought Assistance from the USDA Farm Service Agency

As of September 24, there are five counties in Maine (Aroostook, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Washington) that have been designated as eligible for Emergency Loans from the FSA due to the drought this summer. There are several loan programs that are triggered by this designation, including Emergency Livestock Assistance, Non-insurable Crop Assistance, and the FSA Emergency Loans which can be used to restore or replace essential property, pay all or part of production costs associated with the drought, pay essential family living expenses, reorganize the farming operation and/or refinance certain debts. Find more information about the Emergency Drought Assistance from the USDA Farm Service Agency here. Contact your local FSA office for more information and to apply.

Northeast SARE logoSARE Farmer Grant Program Currently Accepting Application

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) is now accepting applications for its Farmer Grant Program. Up to $15,000 is available per project. Applications are due online by 5 p.m. ET on Nov. 17.
The Farmer Grant Program funds farmers to enable them to explore new concepts in sustainable agriculture on production, marketing, labor, farm succession, social capital and other areas through experiments, surveys, prototypes, on-farm demonstrations or other research and education techniques. Grants may not be used to help start or expand farm businesses.
Find more information, and apply at the Northeast SARE Farmer Grant Webpage.

 

USDA LogoUSDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 Now Accepting Applications

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP2) is now open. The USDA is providing a second round of assistance for agricultural producers who continue to face market disruptions and associated costs because of COVID-19. Signup will begin September 21 and run through December 11, 2020, for this next round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program payments (CFAP 2). A complete list of eligible commodities, payment rates and calculations are available on farmers.gov/cfap.

Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program: Registration Required

Each October, the Maine Board of Pesticides Control conducts a program to collect and properly dispose of banned and unusable pesticides from homeowners and farms. Preregistration is required and collections are held at four sites across the state. More information about the program may be found below.
Registration by October 9 is required, no drop-ins will be accepted. Find the registration form and more information here.

image of greenhouseUMaine Extension Greenhouse Plastic Recycling Collection Starts Sept. 25

University of Maine Cooperative Extension begins collection of greenhouse plastic for recycling Sept. 25 with 16 drop-off sites across the state. Disposal is free of charge through Dec. 15 to all Maine growers who register. Registration is required. Register and find complete instructions on the greenhouse plastic recycling project webpage. Growers without internet access can register by calling 207.342.5971. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact David McDaniel, 207.323.4315; agplasticrecycling@maine.edu.

Small Bites – Discovering Patterns

In self-reflection and maintenance of human relationships on workplaces like farms, noticing patterns and then naming them can be very helpful. In self-reflection, it’s a way to notice if you are reacting to situations or responding. When you are reactive, it’s much harder to have a level-headed conversation. When you notice patterns and are able to respond, you can talk about what’s happening in sometimes less-than-ideal situations.

One way to tend to yourself is to sign up for a farm coaching session. This can include talking about setting a plan for self-care.

Read more about Discovering Patterns here.

Meetings – Webinars – Upcoming Events

Resources

COVID-19 Resource Hubs

UMaine Extension Agriculture COVID-19 Resources: Farm and Seafood Directory, U-Pick Best Practices, COVID-19 FAQ’s, and More!
DACF COVID-19 Resources, Guidance and Mandates
USDA Federal Rural Resource Guide
Local Food System Response Resource Hub

On-line Training

Think Fast (Farm & Ag Safety Training) for youth
The Business of Farming & Farming for Wholesale
FarmRaise helps farmers access grants and loans

Payments, Grants & Loans

Lost Wages Assistance Program – $300/week FEMA funds through MDOL while funds last

Small Business Innovation Grants – Due October 22

USDA REAP Grants for Energy Efficiency Improvements on Farms – Due Nov. 22

United Farmer Veterans Value Added Producer Grant– While Funds Last

Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Payroll Protection Programs (PPP)- While Funds Last

SARE Farmer Grants– Due Nov. 17

Information for Animal Keepers

Maine Beef Producers Association logoMBPA Fall Website Feeder and Breeder Sale

Because of the Corona Virus the MBPA Board has decided to cancel its fall auction. However we are offering to our members the sales page on our website for an exclusive private treaty feeder and breeder sale. Sale information will be listed from October 15 through November 30. Prices will be negotiated privately between seller and buyer.

Feeders must be under 2 years of age, castrated, and not bred.
Listings should include all important information; date of birth, immunization status, weaning date, grass fed, all natural.

Breeding animals must be under 3 years and pure bred.
Incude pertinent info.

Pictures are encouraged. If you missed the webinar by Kelly Hamilton on the Basics of Livestock Photography you can contact Donna Coffin for the link to the recording.

Listings on our sales page are open to current members only. Of course anyone may look at the ads and purchase animals. If you are not a current member you may become one at members@mainebeefproducersassociation.com. The membership is for the calendar year 2020 but as an incentive we will include a membership for 2021 as well.

Send all information, or questions, to sales@mainebeefproducersassociation.com.

USDA Ag Marketing Service

Surveys

MDACF announces plans for virtual 2021 Maine Ag Trades Show

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the interest of public health and safety, the Maine Agricultural Trades Show will be going virtual in 2021! >> Read the announcement www.maine.gov/dacf/agtradesshow.

In order to create a vibrant and successful Virtual Agricultural Trades Show, the Bureau of Agriculture, Food & Rural Resources seeks feedback about what would make it the most effective and engaging event possible.

Please take this survey by Wednesday, October 16, 2020.
Visit the Ag Trades Show website to subscribe to updates.

A message to our stakeholders:
As a valued UMaine Extension stakeholder, we just wanted to let you know that most county offices have reopened following UMaine guidance and protocols to stem the spread of the coronoavirus. Each office may have different protocols in place, please call ahead before coming to the office.
Please contact UMaine Extension staff with any questions.

Edited by:
Donna Coffin, Extension Professor, donna.coffin@maine.edu
Jason Lilley, Extension Professional, jason.lilley@maine.edu
Rebecca Long, Extension Professional, rebecca.j.long@maine.edu

Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.

Photos by Edwin Remsberg and others.