Tuesday is the COMMISSIONER'S LUNCHEON:
At noon on Tuesday, Commissioner Seth Bradstreet will be hosting the annual Commissioner's Luncheon. Join Commissioner Bradstreet when he presents the annual Distinguished Service Award. Please plan to join us for this hearty Maine meal. Tickets are available from the department by calling 287-3419.
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| Tuesday, January 15 |
BOARD OF PESTICIDES CONTROL/ COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PESTICIDES APPLICATOR RECERTIFICATION
|
Kennebec/Penobscot Room
|
| The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Board of Pesticides Control will present four one-hour training sessions. Licensed pesticide applicators and dealers may attend sessions to earn credits towards recertification. One credit will be allowed for attendance at an entire hour of each topic covered. (4 credits available) |
| 10:00–11:00 |
Bt Corn: What You Need To Know To Buy and Grow It – John Jemison, UMCE, and Lebelle Hicks, BPC |
| 11:00–12:00 |
Weed Management in Genetically Modified Corn – Rick Kersbergen, UMCE |
| 2:00–3:00 |
PPE and Me – Dick Brzozowski, UMCE |
| 4:15–5:15 |
Management of Invasive Plants in Forested Settings – Keith Kanoti, MFS |
COMMUNITY ENERGY PARTNERS
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Washington Room
|
| 2:00-3:00 |
Community Wind: A Model for Maine. Discussion on community wind (what it is, how it differs from other ownership models for wind projects, etc.), its many forms with farmer and agricultural producer-based models, its many benefits, and how it can be used to improve the rural economy in Maine. |
FARM DAYS, INC.
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Lincoln/Oxford Room
|
| 5:00 |
2008 Kickoff Planning Meeting |
FOOD FOR MAINE’S FUTURE
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Waldo Room
|
| 9:00-10:30 |
Open-Pollinated Corn Growers Share their Experiences: Come hear from farmers from Maine and elsewhere in the Northeast who are growing open-pollinated corn. They will speak about why, how, and where they are growing open-pollinated corn, and what resources are available for others who may be interested in growing OP corn. (90 min) - Panel Discussion faciliated by Logan Perkins, Protect Maine Farmers |
| 10:30-12:00 |
Direct-Marketing your Milk: Hear from a number of Dairy farmers who are supplementing their milk checks, or sustaining their farms solely on selling milk directly to customers and local retailers. A variety of operations will be presented, including on farm glass bottling, farm gate sales, and connecting with local retailers. (90 min) - Tuesday Only - Panel Discussion facilitated by Logan Perkins, Protect Maine Farmers |
| 2:00 |
Local Foods for Low-Income Families: This workshop will be an open discussion of the challenges and benefits for farmers of acquiring and using EBT machines at their stands and markets. Possible discussion topics include, but are not limited to: navigating paperwork and bureaucracy, funding the financial costs of EBT machines, and the many benefits of connecting low-income families with local farmers and local sources of food. Participants should feel free to bring their ideas, knowledge and experiences to the discussion table. |
| 3:00-5:00 |
Community Food Storage: This workshop will explore ways to facilitate winter crop storage at the community level. The workshop will discuss efforts to plan for a community root cellar in the Unity, ME area. - Tim Libby, Food for Maine’s Future & Unity Barn Raisers Rural Vitality Committee. (60 min) |
HEART OF MAINE RC&D NxLEVEL FARM BUSINESS PLANNING
|
York Room
|
|
| Heart of Maine Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) partners with the Maine Department of Agriculture to offer the NxLevel farm business planning course, “Tilling the Soil of Opportunity.” This 14-session class is designed to help you test new ideas and look critically at all aspects of your farm enterprise, from management and labor to marketing and financials. Today’s sessions on record-keeping and marketing are open to the public, so come and see what NxLevel is all about! |
| 9:00-9:15 |
Overview of NxLevel program |
| 9:15-10:15 |
QuickBooks, part one. Representatives from Austin Associates, the largest accounting firm specializing in farm accounting in Maine, will provide a one hour training on the basics of using QuickBooks for farm record keeping. |
| 10:15-10:30 |
Break |
| 10:30-10:45 |
Overview of NxLevel program |
| 10:45-11:45 |
QuickBooks, part two. Representatives from Austin Associates will provide a second hour of training, which will cover some of the more advanced functions of QuickBooks. It will build on the first hour, but if you already have the basics down, you are welcome to join us for this session. |
| 1:45-3:00 |
“Getting Your Customers to Tell Your Farm Story” at the Maine Sustainable Ag Society (MESAS) meeting in the Fort Western Room. Heart of Maine and Maine Department of Ag partnered with MESAS to bring Greg Franklin to Maine for the afternoon. Greg is a marketing consultant and New Hampshire native of a family dairy and fruit farm. NxLevel participants are encouraged to attend the MESAS meeting to hear Greg’s presentation. |
| 3:00-3:15 |
Overview of NxLevel program |
| 3:15-4:00 |
Greg Franklin will continue his presentation on “Getting Your Customers to Tell Your Farm Story,” focusing on the 9P’s of Ag Marketing. |
| 4:15-5:30 |
Have you ever wondered what is on the mind of consumers who buy your farm products? This past October, Heart of Maine and the Maine Department of Agriculture hosted a live consumer focus group, facilitated by professional marketing consultant Greg Franklin, at their Word of Mouth Marketing workshop in Bangor. The entire event, including the focus group session, was video-taped. During this session, the video will be presented and Greg Franklin will be here in person to talk about how to incorporate this valuable consumer feedback into our farm marketing strategies. |
MAINE AQUACULTURE ASSOCIATION
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Aroostook/Androscoggin Room
|
| 10:00–12:00 |
New Sources Of Farm Income: Fee Fishing and Raising Bait. Maine has some of the best freshwater resources in the country. Farmers often overlook a potential new income source, water farming. Come find out what you have to do to get into the 6 million dollar baitfish market or the new agritourism fee fishing sector. Presenters will talk about the basics of production, permitting and marketing this exciting new way to diversify farm income. |
MAINE CHEESE GUILD
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Lincoln/Oxford Room
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|
| 9:00-12:00 |
Business meeting followed by guest speakers: Audrey Slattery, State Dairy Inspector,Cathy Cotton from the Milk Quality Laboratory and State Veternarian Dr. Don Hoenig. Current licensed cheesemakers will be on hand to field questions. If you are looking to get into cheesemaking in Maine or have questions regarding current regulations and licensing, please join us for this panel discussion. |
MAINE CHRISTMAS TREE ASSOCIATION
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Arnold/Howard Room
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| MCTA Winter Meeting (Recertification Credits (2) Hours (2) $5.00 for nonmembers) |
| 8:00-9:00 |
Registration Coffee & doughnuts (preregistration advised) |
| 9:00-9:15 |
President’s Welcome/ Gary Fisher, President, MCTA |
| 9:15-9:25 |
National Christmas Tree Association Report – Dugald Kell, Jr. |
| 9:25-9:35 |
George Tinkham presentation |
| 9:35-9:45 |
MCTA Scholarship Presentation - Len Price |
| 9:45-10:00 |
Open Questions/ Comments – Officers/Directors/ Members |
| 10:00-10:15 |
Break |
| 10:15-11:00 |
MCTA Marketing Committee Report – Dave Barden/MCTA Website Committee Report – Jane Rice / Calvin Luther/MCTA Seed Orchard Report & Update – Calvin Luther |
| 11:00-11:15 |
Glen Koehler – Pest Management Office to speak on the Pro New England .org website. |
| 11:15-11:45 |
Peter Beaulieu – Maine Revenue Service over viewing the Maine State tax laws and how they affect the Christmas tree industry. |
| 11:45-12:00 |
Brian Mc Cleary - Fertilizers for Christmas Trees |
| 12:00-1:30 |
Commissioner’s Luncheon |
| 1:30-2:30 |
Jonathan Stevens – Chemical safety, mixing and MSDS sheets |
| 2:30-3:30 |
Charlene Donahue – Maine Forest Service – Insects & Diseases |
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Nutrient Management
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| Each talk qualifies for 1 Nutrient Management Recertification Credit |
Somerset Room
|
|
| 10:00 |
Reducing Bedding Costs with a Composted Bedding Pack – Mark Hutchinson, Extension Educator, Univ. of Maine Cooperative Extension |
| 11:00 |
Animal Carcass Composting – Techniques and Materials that do the Job! – Bill Seekins, Agricultural Resources Management Coordinator, Maine Dept. of Agriculture |
| 1:30 |
Animal Carcass Disposal – Site Selection and Other Requirements for Doing the Job Correctly! – David P. Rocque, State Soil Scientist, Maine Dept. of Agriculture |
MAINE FARMLAND TRUST
|
Somerset Room
|
|
| How tax laws can keep your farmland in farming |
| 2:30 - 4:00 |
Are you are planning to transfer your farm to the next generation and would like to know about the tax implications of doing so? OR Are you are planning to continue farming but would like to know more about tax incentives associated with putting your farm in a conservation easement? OR Do you have other tax questions regarding your farm? Come hear Gary Anderson of University of Maine Cooperative Extension, George Richardson, CPA of Austin Associates, and staff from Maine Farmland Trust discuss and answer questions about taxes and farming. |
MAINE FEEDS MAINE
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Aroostook/Androscoggin Room
|
|
| 2:00-3:30 |
The ‘Maine Feeds Maine’ (MFM) project is a collaboration of people who believe that by bringing producers, consumers and other interested parties together to think cooperatively about local and regional food networks, we may discover strategies, directions and allies we were unaware of before. |
MAINE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
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Lincoln/Oxford Room
|
|
| 1:30 |
Planning Session |
MAINE MILK COMMISSION
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Washington Room
|
|
| 10:30-12:00 |
Informational Meeting |
MAINE ORGANIC FARMERS AND GARDENERS ASSOCIATION
|
Cumberland Room and Piscataquis/Sagadahoc Room
|
| 9:10 |
Successful Crop-Livestock Integration for Maine Farms: Crops and livestock have historically been integrated in New England farming systems with only the last 50 years showing a trend towards specialization of enterprise. In many cases, this specialization has also led to consolidation of commodity production. Recently, there has been increased interest in diversification and re-integration of crop and livestock operations. These coupled operations allow individual specialization, but make for more efficient sharing of nutrient and land resources, hopefully benefiting both operations. This presentation will discuss the benefits and barriers to adoption of integrated systems. Cumberland Room |
| 9:10 |
Marketing Produce from A(sparagus) to Z(ucchini): Helping the Consumer Buy Local and Cook Seasonal/Expand the culinary horizons of your customers! Consumers’ largest obstacle to integrating new foods like bok choy, kale and celeriac into their eating is an understanding how to prepare these foods. And as famers’ markets and community supported agriculture programs continue to grow and new markets in schools and institutions develop, individual consumers and food service workers alike need education on how to work with whole foods. Cheryl Wixson, MOFGA’s resident chef, will moderate this interactive panel of foodies dedicated to local, seasonal, organic eating. Piscataquis/Sagadahoc Room |
| 10:00 |
A Tour of Danish Organic Farms: Denmark is about one-half the land area of Maine, but has 3,600 organic farms totaling 440,000 acres. While living and working in Denmark over the past year, University of Maine Weed Ecologist Eric Gallandt had the opportunity to tour eight organic farms, including cereal producers, an artisan flour mill, a poultry operation, a biodynamic dairy, the first CSA in the country, and another CSA that is now the largest (35,000 boxes a week!), and a 100-member communal farm. This session will offer an overview of organic production in Europe and a photo tour of selected farms. Cumberland Room |
| 10:00 |
Open-Pollinated Corn: What are the economics of open-pollinated corn vs. hybrids? What varieties do well under Maine conditions? Come talk with a few Maine farmers who have been testing OP corn. Piscataquis/Sagadahoc Room |
| 11:00 |
Food Safety for Small Growers: Jim Ostergard and Russell Libby will bring you up-to-date on MOFGA’s work to develop a food safety strategy for small farms that meets FDA’s HACCP protocols. Cumberland Room |
| 11:00 |
A Sneak Peek at the New Farmer-to-Farmer Directory: Eric Sideman, MOFGA’s Crop Specialist, is nearly done putting together a directory to sustainable farms in Maine, a project supported by SARE. The directory is a farmer tool so they can find other farmers known for particular practices. Come get a virtual tour of some of the exemplary farms. Piscataquis/Sagadahoc Room |
| 1:30 |
MOFGA’s Annual Meeting: Hear from Executive Director Russell Libby and from committee chairs about MOFGA’s activities and accomplishments in 2007 and our plans for the future. Participate in elections for MOFGA’s board of directors, vote on bylaws changes, and network with MOFGA staff, members, and certified growers. Cumberland Room |
| 3:00 |
Systems Approaches to Soil Fertility and Pest Suppression: Sue Erich, Robert Larken and Andrei Alyokhin are part of a team of researchers and graduate students at the University of Maine and the USDA-ARS Lab in Orono studying how organic management including compost and biological controls effect the soil and pest complex of farm systems. Potatoes are the crop being studied, but the results will probably be relevant to all organic crop production. They will present the results from their first year of the study, which are very promising, and look for comments as they prepare for the next few years. Cumberland Room |
| 3:00 |
Organic Certification Record Keeping: If you are considering becoming certified organic, what information do you need to keep track of? If you are certified, what records do you need to keep? Come hear Kate Newkirk, MOFGA’s Certification Services Associate Director, explain what records need to be kept and why. Piscataquis/Sagadahoc Room |
| 4:00 |
Growing Small Grains and Potatoes for Fedco Seeds: Fedco Seeds in Waterville tries to source as much of its seed from Maine growers as possible. They are currently looking for local growers of small grains and seed potatoes. Representatives from Fedco will cover their policies regarding seed quality and growing conditions as well as state regulations. These policies may also be applicable to other seed buyers. They will also touch on the advantages from growing small grain and possible incomes to be realized from growing small grains and potato seed. Cumberland Room |
| 4:00 |
MOFGA’s Journeyperson Program: The Journeyperson program provides hands-on, mentored farming opportunities and support for people who are serious about pursuing a career in small-scale agriculture in Maine. We will be scaling up the program significantly for 2008 and are looking for both new Journeypeople and potential farmer-mentors. This will be an informational introduction to the program with Andrew Marshall, the program’s coordinator, and a panel of current and former JPs and their mentors. Piscataquis/Sagadahoc Room |
MAINE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SOCIETY
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Fort Western Room
|
|
| This year’s program is divided into two sessions followed by the Annual Meeting of Members. The first session focuses on marketing one’s farm by “word of mouth.” The second session focuses on barriers to integrating crops and livestock on the same farm, specifically as this relates to the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards. |
| 1:45-3:00 |
GETTING YOUR CUSTOMER TO TELL YOUR STORY: Moderator – Bob Spear, President, Maine Sustainable Agriculture Society, Presenter – Greg Franklin, Principal, Gregory S. Franklin Associates Consulting, Panel Members: John Bliss, Broadturn Farm, Scarborough, Maine (tentative), Mark Guzzi, Peacemeal Farm, Dixmont, Maine, Gloria Varney, Nezinscot Farm, Turner, Maine (tentative) |
| 3:15-4:30 |
BARRIERS TO INTEGRATION: Moderator – Rick Kersbergen, Extension Educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Presenter – Dave Handley, Extension Specialist, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Panel Members: Dick York, Nature’s Circle Farm, Houlton, Maine – organic certified and GAP certified, A representative of Whole Foods Market (tentative) |
| 4:40-5:00 |
ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS: Treasurer/Secretary’s Report, President’sReport, Election of Directors, Other Business |
SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION SOCIETY- PINE TREE CHAPTER
|
Fort Western Room
|
|
| 9:00-12:00 |
General Meeting |
| Wednesday |
BOARD OF PESTICIDES CONTROL/ COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PESTICIDES APPLICATOR RECERTIFICATION
|
Kennebec/Penobscot Room
|
|
| The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Board of Pesticides Control will present two one-hour training sessions and one three-hour core exam training session. Licensed pesticide applicators and dealers may attend these sessions to earn credits towards recertification. One credit will be allowed for attendance at an entire hour of each topic covered. (5 credits available) |
| 8:00 - 9:00 |
Apple Pest Management – Glen Koehler, UMCE |
| 9:00-12:00 |
Private Pesticide Applicator Core Exam Training –Jim Dill, UMCE & Gary Fish, BPC |
| 1:00-3:15 |
Private Pesticide Applicator Core & Commodity Exams Administered |
| 3:30-4:30 |
Bt Corn: What You Need To Know To Buy and Grow It – John Jemison, UMCE, and Lebelle Hicks, BPC |
FOOD FOR MAINE’S FUTURE
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Waldo Room
|
|
| 10:00-12:00 |
Farmer advocacy training: Come and learn the ropes of testifying at a public hearing or in the legislature. Farmers are their own best advocates, and farmer voices are critical for policy makers to make informed decisions. The training will include standard procedures for hearings, public speaking tips, and an extensive question and answer period. (90 min) - Logan Perkins, Protect Maine Farmers |
| 1:00-2:00 |
Introduction to Genetically Modified Organisms in Maine: What are GMO’s, what do they do and what’s the controversy all about? This workshop will cover the status of GMO’s in Maine, basic information about GMO’s and current or pending regulatory issues on GMO’s. (60 min) -- Logan Perkins, Protect Maine Farmers and CR Lawn, FedCo Seeds. |
HEART OF MAINE RC&D NxLEVEL FARM BUSINESS PLANNING
|
Arnold Room
|
|
| Heart of Maine RC&D/Maine Department of Agriculture “Buy Local” Consumer Focus Group |
| 4:00-5:30 |
Have you ever wondered what is on the mind of consumers who buy your farm products? This past October, Heart of Maine and the Maine Department of Agriculture hosted a live consumer focus group, facilitated by professional marketing consultant Greg Franklin, at their Word of Mouth Marketing workshop in Bangor. The entire event, including the focus group session, was video-taped. During this hour, the focus group portion of the video will be presented, giving us insight into what motivates people to buy or not buy local farm products. |
INTRO IN EXPORTING IN MAINE
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Lincoln/Oxford Room
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|
| 10:00-12:00 |
Whether you are ready to export or think exporting may be in your future, please join us to learn more about exporting opportunities and programs that are available to Maine companies. There will be a panel talking about the Governor’s recent trade mission to Korea and Japan, export programs and exporting opportunities for Maine producers. Come learn about trade missions first hand from producers who have been on missions and the Maine International Trades Center that organizes trade missions throughout the world. MITC staff will be on hand to let you know what export services their office can provide and to answer your questions about exporting. |
MAINE AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM COUNCIL
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Lincoln/Oxford Room
|
|
| 2:00-4:00 |
Planning Meeting |
MAINE ALTERNATIVE POULTRY ASSOCIATION
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Washington/York Room
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|
| 12:30 |
Poultry Related Displays and Time to Network |
| 12:45 |
Welcome & Business Meeting, Gary Balducci, President MAPA |
| 1:15 |
COOP Report & Discussion |
| 1:30 |
An Organic Eggs Success Story & Invitation to Maine Growers, Jesse Laflamme, Pete & Gerry’s Organic Eggs, Monroe, NH |
| 2:45 |
The Basics of Organic Poultry Production - A focus on Feed & Health, Diane Schivera, MOFGA |
| 3:45 |
Rodent Prevention & Control on the Farm - Richard Brzozowski, University of Maine Cooperative Extension |
| 4:00 |
Adjourn |
MAINE ANGUS ASSOCIATION
|
Washington Room
|
|
| 10:00-12:00 |
Business Meeting |
MAINE AQUACULTURE ASSOCIATION
|
Aroostook/Androscoggin Room
|
|
| 10:00-12:00 |
New Sources Of Farm Income: Fee Fishing and Raising Bait. Maine has some of the best freshwater resources in the country. Farmers often overlook a potential new income source, water farming. Come find out what you have to do to get into the 6 million dollar baitfish market or the new agritourism fee fishing sector. Presenters will talk about the basics of production, permitting and marketing this exciting new way to diversify farm income. |
MAINE BEEF PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
|
Cumberland Room
|
|
| 1:30 |
Program TBA |
| 3:00 |
Education Program - TBA |
| 4:00 |
MBPA Annual Meeting |
| 5:00 |
MBPA Board Meeting |
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Nutrient Management
|
Somerset Room
|
|
| Each talk qualifies for 1 Nutrient Management Recertification Credit |
| 10:00 |
Climate Change, Peak Oil, and Nutrient Management: What do They Have in Common? - John Jemison, Extension Educator, Univ. of Maine Cooperative Extension |
| 11:00 |
Correct Manure and Soil Sampling Technique - It Does Make a Difference – Rick Kersbergen, Extension Educator, Univ. of Maine Cooperative Extension |
| 1:00 |
Results of Perch and Poultry Composting Trials – Mark A. King, Environmental Specialist, Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection |
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund
|
Capitol Room
|
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| Maine Department of Agriculture and Finance Authority of Maine Annual Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund Annual Meeting and Business Planning Seminar. If you are seeking loans or business planning grants, this is the meeting for you! All are welcome to attend. |
| 8:00 |
Welcome, Seth Bradstreet, Commissioner |
| 8:35 |
Update on the Agricultural Marketing Loan Fund, Charlie Emmons, FAME |
| 9:00 |
Update on the Agricultural Development Grant Program, John Harker, MDA |
| 9:15-9:45 |
Harbor Bars - The next new “old” confection, Keith Davis, Owner, Harbor Bars, LLC. |
| 9:45-10:00 |
Facilitated discussion on AMLF program improvements, John Harker, MDA |
| 10:00-10:30 |
Business Planning Support Programs For Maine Farmers, NxLevel “Tilling The Soil” Course, Tessa Burpee, Heart of Maine RC&D, Farms For The Future, Kerri Sands, CEI |
MAINE FIBERARTS
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Somerset Room
|
|
| 2:00-3:30 |
Tour Map Meeting: Statewide nonprofit Maine Fiberarts, headquartered in Topsham, is recruiting fiber studios, farms and businesses for a new edition of its Maine Fiberarts Tour Map and Open Weekend for publication in 2009. Come give your input for improvements to the program or to have your questions answered. Director Christine Macchi, who oversaw all aspects of the 2006 Tour Map, will be on hand to facilitate discussion. Maine Fiberarts will also be represented at the Trade Show at Booth #56. |
MAINE FORESTRY INSTRUCTORS
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Knox Room
|
|
| 2:00 |
Business Meeting |
MAINE GRASS FARMERS NETWORK
|
Pine Tree Room
|
|
| 10:00-10:30 |
New USDA Regulations for Livestock Pasture Fed Label |
| 10:30-11:30 |
Livestock Marketing Panel with Local Farmers |
| 11:30-12:00 |
Annual Meeting |
MAINE HARNESS RACING PROMOTION BOARD
|
Aroostook Room
|
|
| 6:30 |
Monthly Meeting |
MAINE SHEEP BREEDERS ASSOCIATION
|
Howard Room
|
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| Lambing School, Dr. Tom Settlemire, Professor Emeritus, Bowdoin College and Dr. Richard Brzozowski, Extension Educator |
| 6:00-8:30 |
Breeding for Optimum Lamb Production: Lamb production begins 5 months before lambing. What can we do to optimize a good lamb crop? |
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Preparing for Lambing: What do you need to have in your barn and in your sheep medicine cabinet? |
|
It’s Lambing Time! Skills and tricks every shepherd should know. |
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How to Meet the nutritional needs of a milking ewe New England Style. |
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Records Worth Keeping: You need to do more lambing than weigh the lamb. |
MAINE STATE FLORIST AND GROWERS ASSOCIATION Greenhouse Growers’ Program
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Piscataquis/Sagadahoc Room
|
|
| 9:00 |
Registration and coffee and pastries courtesy of Griffin Greenhouse Supply |
| 9:30-10:30 |
Virginia Brubaker from Griffin/Revisiting the Basics: Effective Pesticide Use, Pest and Disease Identification, Pest Lifecycles, Scouting, Pesticide Rotation, Different MOA, Pesticide Update on New Chemical (1 pesticide credit) |
| 10:30 |
Break |
| 10:45-12:00 |
Griffin’s Don Brown on Merchandising and Marketing. Best Retail Practices, True Costs, Employee Relations, Hints on Layout and Profitability |
| 1:00-1:30 |
Fafard’s John Gerken on their new organic soil |
| 1:30-3:30 |
Grower’s Panel with Leigh Roak the moderator/Don Brown, sales manager from Griffin Greenhouse Supply, Scott Longfellow, owner, Longfellow’s Greenhouse, Manchester, ME, Carole Duplessis, owner, Pooh Corner Farm, Bethel, ME, Larry Bruns, owner, Hanson Field Flower Farm, Scarborough. ME, Terry Skillin, owner, Skillin’s, Falmouth, Cumberland, and Brunswick |
| 3:30 |
Adjourn |
MAINE STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY
|
Arnold/Howard Room
|
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| Winter Apple Meeting at the Trade Show. There will be a registration fee of $5 for members and $15 for nonmembers to cover costs of invited speakers. |
| 9:00 |
Maine State Pomological Business Meeting: Marketing, Summer Tour, Elections, Other business |
| 10:00 |
Orchard Improvements, Duane Greene, Univ. of Massachusetts |
| 11:00 |
Big and Small Steps that Improve Fruit Quality, Renae Moran, Univ. of Maine |
| 11:30 |
Let’s Talk Turkey, Regional Wildlife Biologist, Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife |
MAINE VEGETABLE AND SMALL FRUIT GROWERS ASSOCIATION
|
Fort Western Room
|
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| Maine Vegetable & Small Fruit Growers Association Annual Meeting (Pesticide applicator credits will be offered for attending the program) |
| 8:45 |
Welcome & Announcements Lauchlin Titus, President MVSFGA |
| 9:00 |
Vegetable Variety Trials: Melons, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Pumpkins and More! Mark Hutton, David Handley University of Maine Cooperative Extension |
| 9:45 |
Crop Insurance Update - Tori Jackson, University of Maine Cooperative Extension |
| 10:00 |
Berry Update: Variety Trial Results, Pest Management Update, David Handley, University of Maine Cooperative Extension |
| 10:30 |
How will Compost Change My Soil and Effect My Crops? Mark Hutchinson, University of Maine Cooperative Extension |
| 11:00 |
Make Your Customers Want More Potatoes, John Jemison, University of Maine Cooperative Extension |
| 11:30 |
On-Farm Electrical Energy Audits, Mary Anne Hayes, Maine Rural Partners |
| 11:45 |
MVSFGA Business Meeting, Lauchlin Titus, President, Presiding |
| 12:00 |
Lunch on Your Own |
| 1:00 |
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification: An Introduction, Peter Ricker, Ricker Hill Orchards |
| 1:15 |
What is GAP and Why Do We Need It? Joe Brooker, Maine Department of Agriculture |
| 1:45 |
Getting Certified Step by Step. Joe Brooker, Maine Department of Agriculture |
| 3:00 |
Grower Perspectives and Discussion |
| 3:30 |
GAP Certifiers and Certification Agencies in Maine |
| 4:00 |
Maine Senior FarmShare Update for 2007, Deb Everett & Deanne Herman, MDAFRR |
| 4:30 |
Adjourn |
NORTHEAST LIVESTOCK EXPOSITION
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Cumberland Room
|
|
| 10:00-12:00 |
Annual Meeting |
SMALL WOODLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF MAINE
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Augusta Room
|
|
| 10:00 |
What’s New at SWOAM |
| 10:15 |
Landowners “From Away”: Myths & Truths in Recreation Access & Other Land Use Policies. Dr. Jessica Leahy, UMaine Professor |
| 10:30 |
Resolving Conflict in the Woods through Understanding: The Role of ATV Clubs in Maine. Marilynne Mann, UMaine Graduate Student |
| 10:45 |
Tourism Entrepreneurs of Maine’s Woodlands. Brittany Hummel, UMaine Graduate Student |
| 11:00 |
Transferring Your Woodlot to the Next Generation. Paul Dillon, Estate Planning Attorney |
| 12:00 |
Presentation of the American Tree Farm System, Maine Tree Farmer of the Year Award |
| 1:30 |
An Update on Inland Fisheries and Wildlife/ Department of Conservation Landowner Relations Efforts. Bob Duplessie, Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Landowner Relations Coordinator |
| 1:45 |
Climate Change and Carbon Credits: An Update for Woodland Owners. TBA |
| 2:30 |
Forests Insect and Disease-Current Status and Outlook for 2008. Maine Forest Service |
| 3:00 |
Adjourn |
|
|
| Thursday |
BOARD OF PESTICIDES CONTROL/ COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PESTICIDES APPLICATOR RECERTIFICATION
|
Kennebec/Penobscot Room
|
| The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Board of Pesticides Control will present three one-hour training sessions. Licensed pesticide applicators and dealers may attend sessions to earn credits towards recertification. One credit will be allowed for attendance for the entire hour of each topic. (3 credits available) |
| 10:15–11:15 |
Cranberry Pest Management – Charlie Armstrong, UMCE |
| 11:30–12:30 |
Blueberry Pest Management – David Yarborough, UMCE |
| 1:15–2:15 |
Small Fruit Pest Management – David Handley, UMCE |
HEART OF MAINE RC&D NxLEVEL FARM BUSINESS PLANNING
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Lincoln/Oxford Room
|
|
| Heart of Maine RC&D/Maine Department of Agriculture “Buy Local” Consumer Focus Group |
| 10:30-12:00 |
Have you ever wondered what is on the mind of consumers who buy your farm products? This past October, Heart of Maine and the Maine Department of Agriculture hosted a live consumer focus group, facilitated by professional marketing consultant Greg Franklin, at their Word of Mouth Marketing workshop in Bangor. The entire event, including the focus group session, was video-taped. During this hour, the focus group portion of the video will be presented, giving us insight into what motivates people to buy or not buy local farm products. |
MAINE AQUACULTURE ASSOCIATION
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Aroostook/Androscoggin Room
|
|
| 10:00-12:00 |
New Sources Of Farm Income: Fee Fishing And Raising Bait.Maine has some of the best freshwater resources in the country. Farmers often overlook a potential new income source, water farming. Come find out what you have to do to get into the 6 million dollar baitfish market or the new agritourism fee fishing sector. Presenters will talk about the basics of production, permitting and marketing this exciting new way to diversify farm income. |
MAINE CRANBERRY GROWERS ASSOCIATION
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Cumberland Room
|
|
| 11:00 |
Business Meeting |
MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Nutrient Management
|
Somerset Room
|
|
| Each talk qualifies for 1 Nutrient Management Recertification Credit |
| 10:00 |
Keeping the Livestock Farmer out of Trouble - The Maine Agricultural Compliance Program and Legal Requirements you Should Know About! – Mark F. Hedrich, Nutrient Management Coordinator, Me. Dept. of Agriculture |
| 11:00 |
Maine Livestock Operations Permits- Do I Need One and How Do I Get It? – Mark F. Hedrich, Nutrient Management Coordinator, Maine Dept. of Agriculture |
| 1:00 |
To Be Announced |
MAINE FARMERS MARKETS
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Piscataquis Room
|
|
| 10:15 |
How to Make Your Market Better: Open facilitated discussion for market vendors (current and potential), market managers and community members. Review of past year’s market activities and upcoming opportunities. This is a two-hour session with the opportunity to stay longer if people want to keep talking. Co-facilitated by Deanne Herman of the Maine Department of Agriculture and Russell Libby of MOFGA. |
MAINE HIGHLAND CATTLE
|
Waldo Room
|
| 1:00-2:00 |
Business Meeting |
MAINE MAPLE PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
|
Washington/York Room
|
| 9:15 |
Introductions and Greetings |
| 9:15-9:45 |
George Criner, University of Maine Director of Resource Economics, Effects of the Canadian Quota and the Federation |
| 9:45-10:10 |
Aaron Hoshide, University of Maine Adjunct Assistant Professor Resource Economics, Maple Syrup Production Costs |
| 10:10-10:20 |
Break |
| 10:20-11:20 |
Tim Wilmot, University of Vermont Maple Specialist, Maximizing Sap Production, Highlights of Recent Research at the Proctor Maple Research Center. Vacumn levels, timing of tapping, tubing layout, spouts and more. |
| 11:20-11:50 |
Suzanne Murray, Maple Grove Farms, Food Allergies, Quality Control, Organics |
| 12:00-12:45 |
Lunch Break |
| 12:45-2:00 |
Annual Meeting, Secretary Treasurer Report, Committee Reports, Maple Contest, Election of Officers, Old and New Business |
MAINE PULL COMMISSION
|
Sagadahoc Room
|
| 10:30-12:00 |
Business Meeting |
|
|
Maine Pork Producers
|
Waldo Room
|
|
| 11:00-3:00 |
Business Meeting |
MAINE SENIOR FARMSHARE PROGRAM
|
Piscataquis Room
|
| 9:00-10:00 |
Program Updates for 2008: Senior FarmShare Program overview of the 2007 season. Discussion will include the impact on Maine’s program, farmers and seniors. As of the writing of this workshop description, the Department is not expecting any changes from the 2007 program for the 2008 progam season, but we will update everyone if changes are received. Deanne Herman, Deb Everett and representatives of the FarmShare Advisory Committee. |
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MAINE SENIOR FARMSHARE: The last half hour of the Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers’ program will be program updates and discussion about the Maine Senior FarmShare program. All are welcome. |
WOMEN'S AGRICULTURAL NETWORK (WAgN)
|
Sagadahoc Room
|
| 1:00-2:00 |
Business Meeting |
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