Announcements

The Maine Sustainable Agriculture Society (MESAS) Survey

MESAS is trying to increase farmer input on a survey aimed at generating discussion and sorting priorities of Maine farmers who extend the season and grow through the winter. You can find the survey here. For more information on MESA and to view their recent newsletter with more info about the survey, visit their site.

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USDA announces one week left to complete the 2017 Census of Agriculture

WASHINGTON – July 24, 2018 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) ends all data collection for the 2017 Census of Agriculture on July 31. Anyone who received the Census questionnaire is required by law to respond by that date, and they can complete the form online at www.agcensus.usda.gov or […]

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FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule Exemptions

Developed by Robson Machado, Assistant Extension Professor and Food Science Specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Reviewed by Luke LaBorde, Professor of Food Science, Penn State, Amanda Kinchla, Extension Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science, University of Massachusetts Amhers, and Jason Bolton, Associate Extension Professor and Food Safety Specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. For […]

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Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert: July 20, 2018

David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist; Frank Drummond, Professor of Insect Ecology/Entomology We have found spotted wing drosophila (SWD) fruit flies in raspberry and highbush blueberry plantings in Maine over the past week, in most of the locations where we have set up traps. (See table below.) This compliments […]

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USDA Farm Services

There are several Farm Services available through the USDA grant project Scaling up for Growth in the Portland Foodshed: Fast Tracking: CYON Business Solutions Application (Now) FarmDrop: online farmers market – FarmDrop US Portland Sign Up (July 25th) Food Rescue: WholeCrops Info (Summer/Fall) Surplus Management: Spoiler Alert | Farms Info (Summer/Fall) Mapping, Logistics, and Distribution […]

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USDA News Release – USDA to Measure Fruit Production

HARRISBURG, PA – Over the next several weeks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey fruit growers, including more than 1,000 in the Northeast, about their 2018 fruit crops. The survey will collect acreage information on apples, peaches, grapes, and cranberries and provide the first indication of production. “Different sectors […]

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Extension Ag Leadership Survey

A team from UMaine Extension is considering a revival of the Ag Leadership Training that was conducted throughout the 1990’s for farmers and other industry personnel. In a recent survey conducted at the Maine Ag Trades Show, only 58% of respondents felt that the leaders of their respective local and statewide associations had adequate leadership […]

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New Map of Midcoast and Downeast Farmers’ Markets

The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets has released a new map of Midcoast and Downeast farmers’ markets featuring 20 of the unique farmers’ markets that take place along the Maine coast. In addition to a detailed, full-color map, the brochure includes a description of each market, suggestions for free outdoor activities near each, and original […]

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Attention Fresh Produce Growers! Represent Maine at PMA Fresh Summit

You are invited and encouraged to apply for exhibiting Maine produce in the State of Maine Pavilion at the PMA Fresh Summit being held in Orlando, Florida from October 18 to 20, 2018. Why should you exhibit at PMA Fresh Summit? Booth space, set up and serviced paid by department worth over $13,000! Now offering […]

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