Participants will learn how to handle tractors and equipment safely, how to identify hazards, and how to minimize the chances of accidents. The course is open to all adults and youth interested, but priority will be given to youth ages 14 to 16. This course is required for 14 and 15 year olds who plan to operate farm equipment for hire on farms other than their own. A Federal Certificate of Training will be issued at the completion of the course after successful completion of the written test and driving course and with attendance requirements met.
For more information or to register, select a location near you:
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Commercial production for new small grain markets will be the focus of the annual Maine Grain Conference March 1 in Bangor, sponsored by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. The conference will be held 8:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m., at the Spectacular Events Center, 395 Griffin Road. Speakers from Maine and Canada will discuss producing food-quality grains, with particular attention to crop rotation, fertility and disease; managing problem weeds in organic small grain crops; local markets and informational resources for small grain-producers; and seed laws and the seed certification process. Preregistration is required by Thursday, Feb. 21. Information on registration and conference fees is available on the conference website. To register by phone, or to request disability accommodations, call Meghan Dill, 207.581.3878.
So You Want to Farm in Maine is a farm business course for people who want to start a profitable farm or expand their farm hobby into a profitable business. This course will be offered in eight (8) evening webinars, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., starting Thursday, March 7. Classes will be held on the Internet, live and with an archived version that will be available shortly after the live session.
Topics will include selecting and evaluating a farm enterprise, writing a business plan, record keeping, market research, and much more. The webinar is free. Course texts can be purchased from the UMaine Extension Publications Store.
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A Portland Press Herald blog on large animal veterinarians in Maine included a question-and-answer interview with University of Maine Cooperative Extension Veterinarian Anne Lichtenwalner, director of the UMaine Animal Health Laboratory and assistant professor of animal and veterinary sciences, about the dwindling numbers of large animal veterinarians in the state.
The Kennebec Office of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Kennebec County Farm Bureau, and Kramer Tractor will be sponsoring a 4-H Tractor Safety Course beginning April 1, 2013 at Hammond Tractor in Fairfield from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Class sessions will continue each succeeding Monday on April 8, 15 and 22, followed by a written exam and tractor driving course on April 29th. The participants will learn how to handle tractors and equipment safely, how to identify hazards and how to minimize the chances of accidents.
The course is open to all adults and youth interested, but priority will be given to youth 14 to 16 years of age. This course is required for 14 and 15 year olds who plan to operate farm equipment for hire on farms other than their own. A Federal Certificate of Training will be issued at the end of the course after successful completion of the written test and driving course, and with attendance requirements met. Instructors for this year’s course include Jeff Bragg of Sidney, Neal Caverly of Clinton, Dave Ponsant, Service Manager, Hammond Tractor in Fairfield and Karen Hatch Gagne, Extension Educator, Kennebec County Extension (4-H). Anyone wishing to gain tractor safety knowledge and skills to operate a tractor and implement safety is encouraged to attend.
This course is offered once a year and youth who need a Federal Certificate of Training should plan to attend. There is a registration fee of $20.00 (covers books, snacks, and participant materials). PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. For further information or to receive a registration form contact Karen Hatch Gagne, Extension Educator, or Diana Hartley at the Kennebec County Extension Office, Augusta by calling 207-622-7546 or 1-800-287-1481 or by sending an email to: karen.h.gagne@maine.edu or diana.hartley@maine.edu.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please call 207-622-7546 or 1-800-287-1481 (or TTY line 1-800-287-8957) to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 10 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however all requests will be considered.
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The Beginning Farmer Resource Network of Maine is a coalition of Maine agriculture agencies and organizations working together to connect aspiring, beginning, and transitioning farmers to resources for farm business success. We hope you find the resources useful and inspiring!
DOVER-FOXCROFT: You will learn tips and techniques for getting the word out to potential customers for your agriculture products from Donna Coffin in the next workshop in the YOU CAN series to be held, Wednesday, February 27th from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Piscataquis County Office at 165 East Main St., Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426.
Even though times are tough, YOU CAN sustain your family! The Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension have put together a series of workshops that will give you the skills to get started in self-sufficiency.
The cost of this workshop is $5 and you can register through PVAEC, 48 Morton Ave., Suite M, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426 or call 564-6525 or register online at http://bit.ly/pyoucan.
Different customers have different preferences for learning about local products. We will discuss the variety of ways you can contact customers including business cards, flyers, community groups, traditional media, Internet, email, Facebook, etc.
Donna Coffin is the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Educator in Piscataquis County for over 30 years. Her area of expertise includes sustainable agriculture and home horticulture. She received her Master of Science degree from the University of Maine in Animal Science in the area of animal nutrition.
For more information or to request a disability accommodation, call 564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491.
About University of Maine Cooperative Extension:
As a trusted resource for almost 100 years, University of Maine Cooperative Extension has supported UMaine’s land and sea grant public education role by conducting community-driven, research-based programs in every Maine county.
UMaine Extension helps support, sustain and grow the food-based economy. It is the only entity in our state that touches every aspect of the Maine Food System, where policy, research, production, processing, commerce, nutrition, and food security and safety are integral and interrelated. UMaine Extension also conducts the most successful out-of-school youth educational program in Maine through 4-H.
The Kennebec Journal posted online a photograph of a central Maine woman receiving a free hearing checkup at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show by a technician participating in the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Maine AgrAbility program, which assists farmers with chronic health issues and disabilities across the state.
The agricultural website The Grower carried a news report on the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s introduction of a Beginning Farmer Resource Network, a free online resource for new farmers with questions about starting a farming business.
An article in the Bangor Daily News about the rising cost of milk production in Maine cited information from a University of Maine Cooperative Extension report that estimated the average cost to produce 100 pounds of milk is about $30, which is considered high according to Julie-Marie Bickford, executive director of the Maine Dairy Industry, who was interviewed for the report.