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New England Farmers Reap Big Savings From UMaine Training

Training saved New England farmers more than $1.7 million according to participant surveys.

The recent New England Regional In-Service Training for Agricultural Providers saved New England farmers a lot of money: more than $1.7 million, according to participant surveys. Nearly 60 agricultural professionals and agency representatives attended the 2007 training held in Newcastle, New Hampshire on February 7 through February 8.

University of Maine Cooperative Extension staff have conducted this annual training for over ten years. Participants are people who directly advise farmers, whether as private consultants, fertilizer dealers, pest control industry representatives, university Extension staff, or Natural Resources Conservation Service staff. Cutting-edge sessions are provided by research scientists from the USDA Agricultural Research Service, and researchers and Extension faculty from regional land-grant universities such as The University of Maine.

A key component of the annual training is the opportunity for participants to earn credits for Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) certification, which is administered by the American Society of Agronomy. CCAs help farmers remain profitable while optimizing and protecting natural resources. Training organizer John Jemison, Extension Water Quality and Soil Specialist at UMaine, explained that the certification process also “helps agricultural industry professionals stay abreast of current methods and research, and provides them with a level of credibility.”

“While the money savings is important, another significant benefit of this training is the sharing of applied research across the region. Participants learn about various projects going on in the region and they can apply the results in their daily work,” Jamison continued. “What good is applied research if it just goes into a journal article that farmers might not see?”

Several recent conference sessions have focused on nonchemical control methods and lower inputs, and program evaluations from repeat attendees showed that they have significantly influenced farmer practices: most have reduced fertilizer applications, improved manure management practices, implemented nonchemical pest control methods, and reduced pesticide applications. The reported savings—increase in profit—for farmers ranged from $25 to $50 an acre, accompanied by a significantly reduced cost to the New England environment.

The USDA-backed New England Regional Water Program provides additional support for the annual training.