Small Farm Field Day in Unity

Contact: Media contact: Rick Kersbergen, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 1-800-287-1426

ORONO, Maine – – The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association are sponsoring Maine’s annual Small Farm Field Day on August 3 at the Common Ground Fair site in Unity, off route 220 and 139.

This educational event is designed for farmers and gardeners interested in improving their knowledge and skills in horticulture and animal husbandry. The field day will occur rain or shine.

Workshops will begin at 9:30 a.m., and new classes will be offered hourly until 3:30 p.m. Admission to the event is free, although donations will be accepted. A complete brochure is available listing events and times by calling 1-800-287-1426(in Maine).

Small Farm Field Day provides a place for hands-on learning. There will be more than 20 different presentations and workshops, with topics from Milk Goats to Green Manures. The Maine Alternative Poultry Association (MAPA) will be on hand to talk about housing, health and marketing for laying hen producers, along with the Central Maine Bird Fanciers who will have a poultry show.

Scott Greaney will demonstrate slaughtering and processing meat birds. The Working Horse and Oxen Association (WHOA) will lead a “Teamster Pre-School” for new-comers who want to learn more about using horsepower. Other topics, such as drip irrigation, permaculture, insect control and using pig tractors will all be available to interested participants.

Some demonstrations will be on-going, featuring equipment such as a no-till seeder and a “Regi-Weeder.”

This year, six of the workshops will offer Maine Board of Pesticides Control recertification credits in five different concurrent sessions. These include weed identification and troubleshooting, alternative forage trials for livestock producers, monitoring and controlling sweet corn pests, and managing insects organically–old and new materials.

Lunch will be available for purchase and will include hamburgers, chicken and vegetarian options. John’s Homemade ice-cream will also be available as a special treat!

More information or a complete brochure listing the times and event offerings is available from Rick Kersbergen at the Waldo County Extension Office at 1-800-287-1426 (in Maine) or 207-342-5971, or from MOFGA at 207-568-4142.