Workshops for Maine’s Beginning Farmers to be held January 13-14 at Ag Trades Show

Are you a new farmer? Are you transitioning to a new agricultural endeavor or planning for farm succession? Do you need help navigating the process of setting up your business or finding out who can help your new farming business succeed? The Beginning Farmer Resource Network (BFRN) of Maine can help!

BFRN – a coalition of Maine agriculture agencies and organizations – will be conducting workshops on various topics for new farmers during the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's 2016 Agricultural Trades Show at the Augusta Civic Center on Jan. 12-14, 2016.

Included in the line-up are presentations on: “Financing Your Farm Business”; “Planning for Farm Succession”; “Farmer Veteran Networking”; “Holistic Management; Beyond the Field Edge”; “Farm Safety”; “Cover Crops and Soil Health”; and many more.

The workshops will be held from 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13 in the Hancock and Lincoln/Oxford rooms, and from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14 in the Hancock, Lincoln/Oxford, and Sagadohoc rooms. The Farmer Veteran Coalition of Maine will have programs from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 14 in the Somerset Room. In addition, the BFRN networking room, located in the Knox Room, will be open all day Tuesday through Thursday to give farmers an opportunity to have an informal talk with a BFRN representative. The complete schedule, topics, and locations for these workshops can be found in the Agricultural Trades Show program brochure at the BFRN website at http://umaine.edu/beginning-farmer-resource-network/events/ or the Get Real Get Maine website at www.getrealmaine.com.

The Beginning Farmer Resource Network, established in 2012, is a group of federal, state, and local farm service providers who have joined together to assist aspiring and beginning farmers, and farmers interested in farm succession and transfer planning, by providing information and technical assistance on everything from soil health to business planning. BFRN is dedicated to helping the whole farm community – including agriculture, aquaculture, and forestry – succeed, as well as ensuring that agriculture stays prosperous in the future.

The BFRN website at umaine.edu/beginning-farmer-resource-network has resources and assistance available, including topics like “What to Consider First, Financing Your Farm Business,” and “Balancing Farm and Family.” The site also has specific resources for military veterans, health and safety issues, and many other topics. Each area of the site provides resources, publications, and contacts to help you make informed decisions in starting and succeeding in your farm business, and links to all of the agencies and organizations that serve as the leadership council. These resources comprise a “toolbox” of information on important issues and concerns that farmers should think about when starting their business.

Maine Christmas Trees for the Holidays! Maine Tree Growers Participate in Trees For Troops Program

12/03/2015 02:04 PM EST

*Governor Paul R. LePage commends Maine Christmas tree growers for sending trees to armed forces members and their families*

AUGUSTA - Governor Paul R. LePage and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry are urging consumers to support local businesses by buying Maine Christmas trees this holiday season. Christmas tree buying season is in full swing and Maine Christmas tree growers are doing their part to support a national program to provide trees to armed forces members and their families as part of the national Trees for Troops effort.

"The Christmas season is an important time to give thanks for the many blessings we are given and show appreciation for the sacrifices that others make on behalf of our country," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "Nothing says Maine more than a majestic, locally grown fir tree that graces a family living room. Thanks to the generosity of Maine Christmas tree growers, men and women of our armed forces will receive trees as part of the national Trees for Troops program. I commend Maine Christmas tree growers for doing their part to show appreciation for armed services members and their families and for all they do to help keep us safe."

 

 Commissioner Walt Whitcomb stressed the importance of Maine's forest industry and resources available to consumers seeking Maine Christmas trees.

"Maine's forest industry accounts for $8 billion in economic activity, with direct and indirect employment of 38,789 workers," said Whitcomb. "Maine tree growers grow a product that is symbolic of that industry and adorns family living rooms locally and beyond our borders. You can support the Maine economy by buying a Maine Christmas tree."

Maine Christmas Tree Association representative Jim Corliss highlighted the efforts of Maine growers to support the Trees for Troops effort. "Just this morning, we loaded 300 trees onto a FedEx Freight trailer bound for the U.S. Marine Corps base in Cherry Point, North Carolina," said Corliss. "This is part of a 10-year effort to provide free, farm-grown Christmas Trees to United States armed forces members in all branches of the military and their families, through donations, sponsorships, grants and the work of many volunteers."

Maine Christmas Tree Association:

The Maine Christmas Tree Association (MCTA) is a non-profit organization comprised of family farms that produce real Christmas trees and wreath products for retail, wholesale, mail order, or choose'n cut during the Christmas season. Producers may specialize or offer a combination of mail order, retail, choose'n cut or wholesale production of tree and wreath products.

The purpose of MCTA since it was incorporated in 1962 has been to promote real Christmas trees and share information about fresh Maine Christmas trees and wreath products with its members. This information includes the latest techniques in growing quality trees and wreath products to the care and recycling of Christmas trees.

Tree Selection and Care Tips: http://www.mainechristmastree.com/tree_information.cfm

Buying Resources: http://www.mainechristmastree.com/products.cfm

Trees for Troops:

Trees for Troops, a program of the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, provides free, farm-grown Christmas Trees to United States armed forces members in all branches of the military and their families, through donations, sponsorships, grants and the work of many volunteers.

Christmas Tree growers have been providing free trees for military families for years. In 2005, FedEx contacted the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable branch of the National Christmas Tree Association, and wanted to be involved in the foundation's mission. Together the two organizations expanded the idea of providing Christmas Trees to military families, and Trees for Troops was born.

Since 2005, more than 157,000 free, farm-grown Christmas Trees have been provided to troops and military families in the United States and overseas through Trees for Troops. Thousands of trees are donated by American farm families and the public, and FedEx delivers these trees to more than 60 military bases in the U.S. and overseas. FedEx has logged more than 573,000 ground miles for the Trees for Troops program.

Applications for Space for the State of Maine Agricultural Trades Show Due in By November 20, 2015.

 

 

The State of Maine Agricultural Trades Show takes place every January and serves as a source for agricultural resources and products. Producers and consumers alike visit this three day show to take stock of current programs, new technologies and to gather information on the agriculture industry. This show is sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and provides promotion opportunities for businesses and organizations on the tradeshow floor.

 

The 75th Annual Maine Agricultural Trades show will be held January 12, 13 and 14, 2016 at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, ME. All interested applicants can register online at www.regonline.com/maineagtradesshow. To request a physical copy of the application, please call 207-287-3491.

 Any one business or group of businesses may apply for a maximum of six (6) spaces. Agricultural organizations will be limited to one (1) space at a reduced rate. NOTE: Exhibiting is restricted to companies offering products or services directly related to agricultural production or marketing. The fee for each 8’ x 10’ commercial exhibit space is $375.00. The fee for nonprofit agricultural organizations is $225.00.

These fees do not include the cost of any electrical hookups, tables and chairs. There will be an additional charge of $40.00 for each electrical hookup, $15.00 for each table, and $5.50 for each chair. Wireless internet access is available through the Augusta Civic Center.

If you have questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Samantha Howard, Agricultural Promotions Coordinator, at (207) 287-7620 or by e-mail at Samantha.Howard@maine.gov. We look forward to seeing you in Augusta, January 12th-14th, 2016.

 

Application Information

In an effort to improve our application process, marketing efforts and overall communications; the Agricultural Trades Show will now have its own dedicate website. The new website, will allow exhibitors to register online, make payments and receive up to date information on booth space and meeting space.

 

Please return your completed application NO LATER than Friday, November 20th, 2015. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. Due to the increased popularity of the show and demand for space, payment for booth space is due IN FULL when you register.  We will notify you – in writing – if your application is accepted. Once space becomes full, we will put additional names on a waiting list. Once the floor is filled, if you are not chosen, payment will be immediately returned to you.

We look forward to partnering with you to make this a successful educational event for all! For any questions or more information on the application process or event, please contact Samantha Howard at (207) 287.7620 or Samantha.Howard@maine.gov

Today is New England Apple Day!! Head to Your Local Pick Your Own Farm this Weekend for a Wonderful Family Experience!!

September 2, 2015....

NEW ENGLAND APPLE DAY!

 

Today, Wednesday, September 2,  seems like the perfect choice to celebrate New England Apple day, as Lebanon children head back to school after a Summer of fun and freedom!

According to the Smithsonian Institute, apples became the symbol of favorite teachers many years ago when Frontier families were responsible for providing food and lodging for their town teachers. Students would bring apples to their teachers as a treat and a sign of appreciation for their services.

The apple has it's beginning in recorded history as a negative symbol in the story from Genesis in the Bible as the downfall of mankind when the serpent convinced Eve to try the "forbidden fruit", however American's now think of the apple as a national symbol, right up there with the bald eagle and baseball.

If you've never been out picking apples in a fall orchard, do yourself a favor, pack up your family, and head out for an enjoyable day in the fall sunshine. The sent and coolness of the orchard will help to fuel your natural harvest instincts, and baking pies, cobblers and crisps with your children is a great way to teach them the value of agriculture!

Many new and different varieties have been grown on New England Pick Your Own farms in the past few years. Right now the McIntosh, New England's favorite for pies, apple sauce and eating fresh are ripe and ready for the picking!!

 

We suggest you call ahead to your choice of Pick Your Own Orchards to find out what apple varieties are available for picking!!

 

Local orchards providing a

Pick Your Own experience include:

 

McDougal Orchards, 201 Hanson's Ridge Road in Springvale, ME.

Open daily 9 am - 5 pm daily. (207)-324-5054.

 

 

Pine View Orchard, 17 Sunset Lane, Berwick, ME

Open daily 10 am - 5 pm (207)-715-0365

 

Butternut Farm, 195 Meaderboro Road, Farmington, NH

open daily 8 am - 4 pm. (603)-335-4705