UMaine Extension Offers Summer Workshops on Organic Grain and Forages

Contact: Rick Kersbergen, (207) 342-5971, richardk@umext.maine.edu

Waldo, ME—Interest in growing organic grains has sparked research development within the University of Maine and the farming community in the Northeast. UMaine has received several research and development grants to investigate growing organic grains for both livestock feed and for an increasing demand for human consumption.

A series of workshops has been organized to help interested growers learn more about how to grow and harvest these crops. On July 10 from 11a.m.-1p.m., the W.R. Sherburne and Sons Dairy in Dexter will host a field day that will highlight some innovative weed management strategies in small grains. Fred and Shawn Sherburne are integrating oats, barley, bread wheat and sunflowers into their rotation to feed their cows and also to produce some higher value human grade grains.

On July17, from 10 a.m.-2p.m., Rainbow Valley Farm in Sidney and Bullridge Farm in Albion will play host to another field day that will showcase their efforts to expand their production and use of organic gains on their dairy farms. At Rainbow Valley Farm participants will look at spring oats and discuss rotation strategies for organic producers who want to start growing grains in fields that are currently in sod crops. At Bullridge farm, participants will look at sunflower and soybean production. At Bullridge farm, Henry Perkins has set up an oil seed pressing operation for oil and protein meal for his livestock. The field day will start in Sidney and travel to Albion for lunch and the afternoon program. Please call 1-800-287-1426 to pre-register.

The University of Maine’s Rogers Farm will open its doors on July 27 from 1-4 p.m. for producers and interested individuals to highlight research on organic grain and forage production. The university is finishing up four years of organic forage and grain production and researchers will be on hand to discuss results. Other research at the Sustainable Agriculture research farm will be featured as well. No registration is required for this event.

For more information about these events or to register, please call the University of Maine Cooperative Extension office at 1-800-287-1426

Funding is provided through Northeast SARE project LNE06-240 “Expanding grain production and use on organic dairyfarms in Maine and Vermont.”

UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals.