News

Copyright 2010 York County Farmers' Network
Find a Farm
York County, Maine
All rights reserved.
News
My Farmer, My Plate - Maine Nutrition Council's April 10 Conference
   The Maine Nutrition Council's Annual Conference, My Farmer, My Plate - Cultivating an Understanding of Food Production, will be held at the Harraseeket Inn, Freeport, Maine, on April 10. The conference theme this year ties together local foods, local farms, and good nutrition. Walter Whitcomb, Commissioner of the Maine Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, will welcome conference-goers, and the program includes speakers from Agriculture Literacy Works, Maine Agriculture in the Classroom, and the Maine Farmland Trust, as well as a workshop with three Maine farmers "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food." FMI, see My Farmer, My Plate brochure and registration form. (2/16/12)

Farm Scoop February 2012 - UMaine Extension Farm Newsletter
     Topics include Sheep and Goat Foot Health Webinar, Get Real Get Maine and You, Environmental Quality Incentive Proram funding opportunities, Maintaining Machinery in Winter, Maine Home Garden News, Maine Vegetable and Fruit School, and Farm First Aid and Accident Preparation.  (2/2/12)

2012 Maine Crop Insurance Policies Deadline March 15
March 15, 2012 is the sales closing deadline for the following 2012 Maine Crop Insurance Policies:
  • Corn
  • Forage Seeding
  • Fresh Market Sweet Corn
  • Green Peas
  • Potatoes
  • Small Grains
  • Adjusted Gross Revenue-Lite
   Any producer who wants to be eligible for disaster assistance on 2012 crops must have insurance coverage on all insurable crops before the sales closing deadline. The Farm Bill requires crop insurance on all acres of any insurable crop, or Noninsured Assistance Program (NAP) coverage on all acres of uninsurable crops, in order to be eligible for the SUpplemental REvenue assistance program (SURE). 
   Please contact your local crop insurance agent. For more information visit http://extension.umaine.edu/cropinsurance/. (2/2/12)

Newly Revised Finding Funds for Farming publication from Maine Dept. of Agriculture
    Seeking funds for farming?  To capitalize a new project, fund an equipment purchase, or start a new specialty food business?  Check out this newly revised Finding Funds for Farming publication from the Maine Dept of Agriculture to help you find financial resources for your farm and food business. The publication lists most of the banks and grant programs available as of July, 2011. (1/25/12)

Farm Scoop January 2012 - UMaine Extension Farm Newsletter
    Topics include Extending the Growing Season, Poultry Troubleshooting Webinar, Raising Swine, Revised Land Lease forms, Winter Farm Safety, and Beekeeping courses. (1/13/12)

New Farmer Workshop Series - For farmers with zero to ten years' exerience
    Great opportunity! Starting January 31, 2012 - register by Jan. 17 for whole series or register for single workshops one week ahead. Topics include Farm Business Basics, Crop Management, Nutrient Management, Pest Management, Farm Safety and more. You may take all or some of the seven workshops offered (some day-long, some evening). See New Farmer Workshop Series flier for complete details.  
    Only $50 - includes all workshops, or register for individual workshop. Workshops held at Ramada Inn, Lewiston or on-site farms. Co-sponsored by Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Department of Agriculture and Maine Department of Conservation. Also see http://www.androscogginswcd.net/ for more information. (12/14/11)

Winter Online Courses for Beginning Farmers Open for Registration
   Winter is the time to plan for the next growing season, organize your records and look back at how last season went.  Cornell University Extension's beginning farmer (anyone from zero to 10 years experience) online courses start in January, 2012. Courses are taught by experienced Cooperative Extension educators, farmers, and other specialists. Courses are typically 6 weeks long, cost $175, and include both real-time meetings (online webinars) and on-your-own-time reading and activities. Academic credit is not offered, but those who successfully complete a course will receive a certificate and may improve their eligibility to receive a low-interest Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan.
   To learn more, please visit http://nebeginningfarmers.org/online-courses. You'll see the full calendar of courses, learn more about instructors, see answers to Frequently Asked Questions, read details for each course, and even visit a sample online course. Here are some options:
   BF 102: Markets and Profits - Exploring the Feasibility of Your Farming Ideas
Have an idea for a farm enterprise but not sure if it’s feasible? This course will get you started exploring the potential markets and profitability of your ideas. 
   BF 121: Veggie Farming: From Season-Long Care to Harvest  is the second half of the popular Veggie Farming course, but can be taken as a stand-alone course if you missed BF 120. Many new farmers focus on the planning and planting, but this important course takes you through fertility, pest management, harvest, post-harvest handling and marketing.
   Thinking of growing berries? BF 122: Berry Production: Getting Started with Production and Marketing will get you started on the right foot with careful site selection and preparation, planning and marketing, and production considerations for strawberries, blueberries, brambles, and lesser-known berry crops.  (11/10/11)

Ag Business Loans from Coastal Enterprises Inc.
   CEI's Ag Enterprises Initiative has helped quite a few farmers get up and running for the season. CEI has seen an increased number of farmers inquiring about business planning assistance, recognizing that good planning and farm viability go hand in hand. Loans up to $35,000 are considered. 
   See CEI poster for more information, or contact Gray Harris at gharris@ceimaine.org or 882-7552. You may also reach the local York County CEI loan officer Art Stevens at 324-0888.  (6/20/11)

"New Farmers," a website created especially for beginning farmers: 
extension.umaine.edu/new-farmers/ 
    The site includes videos, FAQs, fact sheets, and other resources to support Mainers who are considering becoming farmers or who have recently started farming. UMaine Extension staff Tori Jackson and Dana Rickman worked to develop the new site, with additional help from webmaster Cindy Eves-Thomas. (4/29/11)