Announcements

Maine Drought and Agriculture Survey

You are being invited to participate in the Maine Drought and Agriculture Survey, a research project led by Dr. Rachel Schattman (University of Maine School of Food and Agriculture. A group representing the University of Maine School of Food and Agriculture, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and […]

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Zoom Focus Group for Vegetable Farmers

Researchers at the University of Maine and University of New Hampshire are looking for vegetable farmers (not organic) to participate in a Zoom focus group discussion on ‘natural climate solutions.’ The purpose of this focus group is to better understand farmer challenges and barriers to adoption of practices that build soil health and contribute to […]

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Maine Hay Directory

Due to the drought this summer, there seems to be a shortage of available hay for livestock producers. The Maine Hay directory https://extension.umaine.edu/livestock/hay/ lists suppliers in Maine. We are constantly trying to keep the listing accurate and up-to date as many of the usual suppliers are “sold”out” The directory has an interactive map as well as a new […]

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Contingency Plan Guides

Whether you have livestock on a farm or animals in an urban setting, there may come a time when you or family members are unable to care for them. Or you may want to just take a vacation, and need someone to feed and water them for a few days… Regardless, who would come onto […]

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CARES Act Infrastructure Reimbursement Program

The State has allocated $10 million in federal CARES Act funding for an Agriculture and Food Processing Infrastructure Reimbursement Program. The program is offering up to $100,000 in reimbursements to Maine food and agriculture businesses that have recently invested in infrastructure purchases or projects due to market disruptions caused by COVID-19 and in response to […]

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USDA Extends Deadline for Seafood Trade Relief Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a one-month extension to the signup period for the Seafood Trade Relief Program, which supports the U.S. seafood industry and fishermen impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments. Fishermen can now signup for the program through January 15, 2021. To date, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has paid […]

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Beginning Quickbooks for Ag Businesses

Next Session:  Fridays, Jan. 15-Feb. 5, 2021, 10:30 am to noon. Course fee: $100 More information and registration. This online course will teach farmers how to set up a bookkeeping system using the desktop version of QuickBooks. Online classes will run for 90 minutes, with an additional 30 minutes before each class starts for optional individual questions with instructors. Additional materials […]

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Application Reminder – Corona Virus Food Assistance Program 2

Don’t Miss Out!  Producers have until Friday, December 11, 2020, to apply for USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) Round 2. Payments under CFAP2 will go to producers of crops in three categories: Price trigger commodities: Major commodities producers will qualify for payments based on documented price declines. Flat rate crops: Producers of certain crops (mostly grains) […]

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The Four Gs – A Tool for Collaboration

Authored by Coach Abby Sadauckas Small Bites are short, informational articles with practical ideas about stress reduction, improved communication, and farm and family well-being. They are written by coaches from UMaine Extension’s Farm Coaching team. Farm Coaches are available at no cost to work remotely with farmers and farm teams. The Four Gs is an […]

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Maine Farm Emergency Grants

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) are offering emergency grants to assist farmers impacted by the current COVID-19 crisis, including those who have experienced sales losses, increased expenses and/or other challenges during 2020, and who anticipate needing to make further changes and adjustments for 2021.  After offering an initial […]

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