DACF Home → Bureaus & Programs → Bureau of Agriculture → Agricultural Resource Development Division → 2025 Maine Agricultural Trades Show
Conference Schedule
Preliminary schedule. Adjustments may occur.
Last Updated: December 6, 2024 8:17 AM
Date | Time | Conference | Category | Host | CEU | Room | Description |
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January 16, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | MFFM Annual Meeting | Fruit, Membership Meeting, Vegetables | Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets | Capitol/Pinetree | The Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets Annual Meeting is an opportunity to learn about MFFM's impact over the last year and learn what we have planned for the year ahead. |
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January 15, 2025 | 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM | MMPA Maple Contest Judging Space | Specialty Food and Craft Beverage | Maine Maple Producers Association | Knox | Judges will evaluate Maine Maple Producer Association Meeting maple syrup contest. |
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January 16, 2025 | 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM | Raspberry Production Workshop | Fruit | University of Maine Cooperative Extension Vegetable & Fruit Production | Ft. Western | A workshop for farmers interested in commercial raspberry production; we will cover site preparation, varieties, production methods and pest management. |
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January 15, 2025 | 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM | Forestry Forum | Land ownership, Timber/forestry, Woodlots | Maine Woodland Owners | Augusta/Cap/Pinetree | A day of information and community building for Maine woodland owners and forest stewards. |
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January 14, 2025 | 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM | Maine Christmas Tree Association Winter Meeting | Membership Meeting, Timber/forestry, Woodlots | Maine Christmas Tree Association | Arnold | An opportunity to learn about growing Christmas Trees, and interact with fellow growers. |
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January 16, 2025 | 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM | Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training | Farm safety and quality, Fruit, Vegetables | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and University of Maine Cooperative Extension | Pesticide | Arnold/Howard | Fruit and vegetable grower certificate course on farm food safety. |
January 15, 2025 | 8:45 AM - 4:00 PM | Maine Pomological Society Winter Meeting | Fruit, Membership Meeting | Maine Pomological Society | Pesticide | Arnold | Annual meeting for tree fruit growers with Society updates, Highmoor Farm research and IPM. |
January 16, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Local Food Purchase Assistance Partnership Meeting | Sales (wholesale) | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Hancock | The meeting is for partner farms and sponsors participating in the LFPA program. |
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January 14, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Finding the Value of your Woodlot | Woodlots | Renoster | Arnold | To help landowners find the volumes and species of their woodlots through remote sensing. |
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January 15, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Agroforestry Research and Networking | Timber/forestry | Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry | Arnold | Showcasing farmers and woodland owners incorporating agroforestry into their operations, as well as new research underway in Maine and the region to evaluate various agroforestry techniques for broader adoption. |
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January 16, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Understanding Maine's Paid Family and Medical Leave Law | Labor | Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave Program | Androscoggin/Aroostook | Staff from the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program (PFML) will provide a general overview about the new law followed by an opportunity to hear from the public with a question and answer session. |
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January 15, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Interactive Training | Federal Programs, Human nutrition | Maine WIC Nutrition Program & Farmers Market Nutrition Program | Somerset | This session will give insight on programs purpose, eligible foods, requirements, and process. Apply to become a Maine WIC farmer. |
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January 14, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Coffee Hour Crop Conversation | Business advising or technical assistance training | Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | Join extension, technical assistance providers, and your peers for a round table discussion on vegetable production. Bring any insect, disease or weed management questions, or just talk about your crop production last year and plans for this year. Coffee will be provided! |
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January 14, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Food System Infrastructure Investment Policy Priorities | Policy | Maine Food Policy Work Group | Ft. Western | Join Maine Policy Work Group members to learn about and help shape policy priorities for the 132nd Legislature that are needed to build an equitable and resilient food system. |
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January 15, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM | Maine Vegetable & Small Fruit Growers Association Winter Meeting | Fruit, Membership Meeting, Vegetables | Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. | Ft. Western | Board meeting |
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January 15, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Local Food Buyers and Sellers Meet-Up | Sales (wholesale) | Maine Farm & Sea to Institution Network | Hancock | Are you a Maine farmer or food producer looking to sell to new buyers? Are you a buyer interested in sourcing more Maine food? Attend this matchmaking event to connect with new local food buyers and sellers. Farmers, schools, colleges, hospitals, prisons, and other wholesale and institutional partners welcome! |
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January 14, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Connect With the New England Grazing Network! | Sheep | New England Grazing Network | Washington/York | What would be helpful to your grazing and grass-based farming needs? What types of training and events are helpful to your farm throughout the year? How do you connect with other farmers to share ideas and get support? Please join the New England Grazing Network (NEGN) to add input for 2025. Anyone with an interest in grazing and grass-based livestock farming is welcome! |
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January 15, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Annual Meeting | Membership Meeting, Specialty Food and Craft Beverage | Maine Maple Producers Association | Washington/York | Judges will evaluate Maine Maple Producer Association Meeting maple syrup contest. |
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January 16, 2025 | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Maine Nutrition Council Gathering | Human nutrition | Maine Nutrition Council | Lincoln/Oxford | The Maine Nutrition Council works to contribute to the health and well-being of Maine citizens through education, research and advocacy. |
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January 15, 2025 | 9:15 AM - 10:00 AM | Equipment for Efficiency Farming | Business advising or technical assistance training, Fruit, Membership Meeting, Vegetables | Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. | Ft. Western | A presentation by John Snell, Snell Farm |
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January 16, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Maine's Second Harvest -Upcycling -Creating New Markets for Maine's Off Grade Crops | Business advising or technical assistance training, Fruit, Vegetables | Maine Farm & Sea Cooperative | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | Come learn how partners engaged in the USDA's Regional Food System Partnership are addressing farm waste by purchasing off grade produce, utilizing local processors, and are creating quality value added products for institutional sales. |
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January 16, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Interactive Training | Federal Programs, Human nutrition | Maine WIC Nutrition Program & Farmers Market Nutrition Program | Somerset | This session will give insight on programs purpose, eligible foods, requirements, and process. Apply to become a Maine WIC farmer. |
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January 15, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Meat and Poultry Processing Financing for Growth | Beef, Business advising or technical assistance training, Farm finances and planning, Lending / Grants / Financial Resources | Coastal Enterprises, Inc. | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | We will be discussing financing options for meat and poultry processors, including grants, loans, equity capital, and other innovative ways to fund your business. |
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January 14, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Maine Cheese Guild Annual Meeting | Dairy, Membership Meeting | Maine Cheese Guild | Hancock | Learn about the Maine Cheese Guild at the annual meeting and networking. |
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January 14, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Maine Dairy Meeting | Dairy | Maine Dairy Industry Association | Washington/York | Meeting of Maine's dairy farmers to get updates and discuss current market conditions, hosted by MDIA |
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January 14, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Strategies for Making a Dairy Farm an Attractive Business Venture | Business advising or technical assistance training, Dairy | Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | As Maine dairy farmers age into retirement and look toward transferring the business onto someone else, they need to start thinking about showing potential buyers that operating a dairy can be successful and fulfilling. Having skills to present dairy farm financial tools is one of the cornerstones of successful farm transfer. |
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January 16, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Soil Health Technical Service Provider Gathering | Business advising or technical assistance training, Soil | Maine Farmland Trust | Somerset | Meet with other Maine Technical Service Providers to discuss soil health farmer support services. Possible discussion topics include farmer outreach and engagement, best management practice implementation, and soil test result implementation. This session will aim to identify soil health-related resources (for both technical service providers and farmers) and compile a living roster of Maine-specific resources. |
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January 15, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Farm Spotlight | Fruit, Membership Meeting, Vegetables | Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. | Ft. Western | Fairwinds Farm by Charlie Rackley |
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January 14, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Cover Crop Selection for Nutrient Management | Continuing Education Credits | Maine Nutrient Management Program | Nutrient Management | Lincoln/Oxford | Matt Boucher, PhD, State Soil Scientist, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry |
January 15, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Use of Manures and Compost in Crop Production | Continuing Education Credits, Nutrient Management, Soil | Maine Nutrient Management Program | Nutrient Management | Lincoln/Oxford | Nick Rowley, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. |
January 16, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Create Your VisitMaine.com profile - and Connect with Maine's Office of Tourism | Promotions and marketing | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry - Maine Agritourism Summit | Augusta | This session will provide technical training in how to create an account and post tourism business and event listings on VisitMaine.com, the state's official tourism website. VisitMaine.com received over 3.6 million views last year. In 2025, the website will have a new look and enhanced functionality that includes an updated database with a more user-friendly process for creating and updating your tourism business and event listings. Join the Maine Office of Tourism for a step-by-step guide to creating and updating your tourism listings and making the most of the marketing opportunities on VisitMaine.com. |
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January 16, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM | PFAS Fund Advisory Committee Public Meeting | PFAS | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry Fund to Address PFAS Contamination | Washington/York | This meeting will be an opportunity to hear the latest status update from the PFAS Fund and to offer suggestions for management of the Fund. |
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January 15, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Managing Risk on the Farm | Business advising or technical assistance training, Farm finances and planning, Risk Management | Maine Farmer Resource Network | Androscoggin/Aroostook | A session covering the breadth of farm-based risk management, ranging from mental/emotional health to climate change. |
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January 16, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Roundtable Discussions for Farmers' Market organizers, vendors, and community members | Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets | Capitol/Pinetree | Mix and mingle with your fellow experts in farmers' markets. Join pre-set roundtables on topics like food access at your market, Info Booths, advertising your market, accessibility at farmers' markets, creative events and programs at market, and more TBD, or set up your own topic. |
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January 16, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Labor Movement Workshop | Labor | Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets | Capitol/Pinetree | Join body mechanics and farm work expert Cynthia Flores for a session on how to move safely and efficiently while loading for, setting up, and working farmers' markets. Prevent workplace injury, reduce wear and tear on your body, increase physical efficiency, and set yourself up for a longer, less painful career in market farming and vending. This will be an interactive demonstration--wear clothes you can move in! |
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January 14, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | USDA Rural Development | USDA Rural Development Maine | Auditorium Main Stage | Hear directly from Maine farmers who have successfully leveraged multiple USDA programs to make their farms more sustainable. Learn how you can use available programs and partnerships! |
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January 16, 2025 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Five Pillars Butchery | Five Pillars Butchery | Auditorium Main Stage | |||
January 14, 2025 | 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Navigating Health Insurance Options and Considerations | Business advising or technical assistance training | Maine DACF, Maine Health Insurance Marketplace, Austin Associates | Androscoggin/Aroostook | This session will help farmers navigate Maine's health insurance marketplace with the goal of increasing the number of Maine farmers with health insurance coverage. This session will increase awareness of the availability of premium tax credits and cost sharing reductions that farmers may be eligible for depending on adjusted gross income, significantly decreasing farmers' health insurance costs. |
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January 15, 2025 | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Live from the 84th Maine Ag Trades Show | Livestock | Maine Farmcast | Auditorium Main Stage | The Maine Farmcast features weekly conversations with experts from across the country sharing insights and advice for both new and seasoned farmers running operations of any size. Hosted by three livestock specialists from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the show brings you world-class expertise paired with practical advice about how to apply cutting-edge research to improve the efficiency and sustainability of your farming operation. |
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January 15, 2025 | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Live from the 84th Maine Ag Trades Show | Livestock | Maine Farmcast | Auditorium Main Stage | The Maine Farmcast features weekly conversations with experts from across the country sharing insights and advice for both new and seasoned farmers running operations of any size. Hosted by three livestock specialists from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the show brings you world-class expertise paired with practical advice about how to apply cutting-edge research to improve the efficiency and sustainability of your farming operation. |
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January 15, 2025 | 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Underseeding Cover Crops | Fruit, Membership Meeting, Vegetables | Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. | Ft. Western | Presented by Jason Lily, University of Maine Cooperative Extension |
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January 16, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Labor Law Guidance Consultation | Labor | Bureau of Labor Standards | Androscoggin/Aroostook | Come provide feedback to the Maine Department of Labor on how best to provide guidance to small employers on their labor law obligations. |
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January 16, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Maine Farm & Sea Membership Meeting | Membership Meeting | Maine Farm & Sea Cooperative | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | Discuss work to provide Maine institutions with the highest possible percentage of healthy, local foods with a focus on a quadruple bottom line model: Social, Environmental, Economics, Diet & Health. |
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January 15, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Partnering with Daybreak Growers Alliance | Business advising or technical assistance training | Daybreak Growers Alliance | Hancock | Learn about the process of partnering with Daybreak Growers Alliance, how to crop plan ahead for a fruitful and cooperative season. |
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January 14, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Maine Organic Milk Producers Meeting | Dairy | Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | Updates from MOFGA Certification Services on any changes to rules or processes. Updates from Maine Dairy Industry Association. |
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January 15, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Seed Updates | Fruit, Membership Meeting, Vegetables | Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. | Ft. Western | Harris, Seedway and High mowing |
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January 14, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Nitrogen Mineralization: Why Is It Important For Our Pastures? | Continuing Education Credits | Maine Nutrient Management Program | Nutrient Management | Lincoln/Oxford | Jaime Garzon, PhD, Assistant Extension Professor and Dairy Forage Educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. |
January 15, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Climate-Smart Soil Fertility Management | Continuing Education Credits, Nutrient Management, Soil | Maine Nutrient Management Program | Nutrient Management | Lincoln/Oxford | Bruce Hoskins, Soil Scientist and Director, University of Maine Soil Testing and Analytical Laboratory. |
January 16, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | The Local Food Switchboard Project - coordinating our local food supply chain and institutional buyers! | Human nutrition, Sales (wholesale) | Maine Food Convergence Project | Hancock | Come learn about the Switchboard, connect with members, and provide your insights to develop an effective program. |
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January 15, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Farmer Interviews | Business advising or technical assistance training | Maine Food and Beverage Education Center | Auditorium Main Stage | Join us for a three-day series of mini-interviews with a variety of Maine food and beverage producers, hosted by Maine Food and Beverage Education Center. Hear firsthand how these producers leverage agritourism, education, and innovative marketing to grow their businesses and connect with customers and discover the unique stories behind their products. Plus, learn about the collaborative opportunities MFBEC offers to support Maine's agricultural community. Each day will feature a different theme and fresh insights! |
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January 16, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Farmer Interviews | Business advising or technical assistance training | Maine Food and Beverage Education Center | Auditorium Main Stage | Join us for a three-day series of mini-interviews with a variety of Maine food and beverage producers, hosted by Maine Food and Beverage Education Center. Hear firsthand how these producers leverage agritourism, education, and innovative marketing to grow their businesses and connect with customers and discover the unique stories behind their products. Plus, learn about the collaborative opportunities MFBEC offers to support Maine's agricultural community. Each day will feature a different theme and fresh insights! |
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January 14, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Farmer Interviews | Business advising or technical assistance training | Maine Food and Beverage Education Center | Auditorium Main Stage | Join us for a three-day series of mini-interviews with a variety of Maine food and beverage producers, hosted by Maine Food and Beverage Education Center. Hear firsthand how these producers leverage agritourism, education, and innovative marketing to grow their businesses and connect with customers and discover the unique stories behind their products. Plus, learn about the collaborative opportunities MFBEC offers to support Maine's agricultural community. Each day will feature a different theme and fresh insights! |
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January 16, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Building Maine's FarmDrop Network | Business advising or technical assistance training, Membership Meeting | FarmDrop | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | Come learn about FarmDrop. We will host the annual meeting, followed by a farmer panel and workshop on using the FarmDrop network for business growth. |
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January 14, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Farmer Discussion Space | Business advising or technical assistance training | Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | MOFGA is leaving the space open for farmers to meet and have their own discussions on whatever topics they would like to connect on. Please feel free to use this as a meeting space! |
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January 15, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Connect With the New England Grazing Network! | Sheep | New England Grazing Network | Washington/York | What would be helpful to your grazing and grass-based farming needs? What types of training and events are helpful to your farm throughout the year? How do you connect with other farmers to share ideas and get support? Please join the New England Grazing Network (NEGN) to add input for 2025. Anyone with an interest in grazing and grass-based livestock farming is welcome! |
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January 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Financial and Technical Resources | Business advising or technical assistance training, Farm finances and planning | Maine Farmer Resource Network | Androscoggin/Aroostook | An overview of new and existing resources available to farmers. |
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January 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Investing in People: The Farm Safety Payoff | Farm safety | MEMIC - Maine Employer's Mutual Insurance Company | Androscoggin/Aroostook | Discussing the value of Farm Safety and some basics on navigating workmen's compensation and OSHA. |
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January 15, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Investing in People: The Farm Safety Payoff | Farm safety | MEMIC - Maine Employer's Mutual Insurance Company | Androscoggin/Aroostook | Discussing the value of Farm Safety and some basics on navigating workmen's compensation and OSHA. |
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January 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Farm Succession and Transfer Farmer Panel | Farm finances and planning | Land for Good | Washington/York | Kate Turcotte, Maine Field Agent for Land for Good will describe the seven key components of a farm succession plan ranging from management transfer to retirement planning to family communication. We will discuss strategies for identifying a successor for farms operating without an heir, strategies for success, and how to build a team of advisors that can turn your succession plan into a reality. The goal is to provide a broad overview of the process and to identify resources and next steps. |
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January 15, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Understanding the USDA's Value-Added Producer Grant Program | Business advising or technical assistance training, Fruit | USDA Rural Development Maine | Hancock | Value-Added means so much more than turning fruit into jams and jellies! Learn the five different ways an agricultural product would qualify as a value-added product, how the program works, and how to prepare a successful VAPG application. |
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January 15, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Maine Farmers Can Reduce Energy Costs with USDA's Rural Energy for America Program 50% Grants! | Energy, Federal Programs, Lending / Grants / Financial Resources | USDA Rural Development Maine | Hancock | Learn how to qualify for REAP grant funding for agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. |
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January 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Interactive Training | Federal Programs, Human nutrition | Maine WIC Nutrition Program & Farmers Market Nutrition Program | Somerset | This session will give insight on programs purpose, eligible foods, requirements, and process. Apply to become a Maine WIC farmer. |
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January 15, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Maine Beef Producers Association (MBPA) Annual Meeting | Membership Meeting | Maine Beef Producers Association | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | MBPA's annual meeting includes the election of the Board of Directors and the annual Awards. |
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January 15, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Produce Farm Food Safety Plan Workshop | Business advising or technical assistance training, Farm safety, Fruit, Vegetables | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and University of Maine Cooperative Extension | Arnold | Produce Farm Food Safety Plan How-To and Help. |
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January 15, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Selling to Schools: Farm & Sea to School Mythbusting | Human nutrition, Sales (wholesale) | Maine Dept. of Education Farm & Sea to School | Somerset | Maine DOE Child Nutrition, along with Farm & Sea to School partners, will be hosting a roundtable discussion to demystify, myth bust, and tackle the common perceived challenges food producers come up against when trying to sell to schools in Maine. |
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January 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | ESE Maine Trustees Annual Meeting | Membership Meeting | ESE Maine Trustees | Waldo | ESE Maine Trustees Annual Meeting |
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January 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Produce Farm Food Safety Plan Workshop | Business advising or technical assistance training, Farm safety, Fruit, Vegetables | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and University of Maine Cooperative Extension | Arnold | Produce Farm Food Safety Plan How-To and Help. |
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January 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Maine Winery Guild Annual Membership Meeting | Membership Meeting | Maine Winery Guild | Hancock | Annual membership meeting comprising a business session and a presentation. |
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January 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Emerging Diseases of Concern in Tunnel Tomatoes | Business advising or technical assistance training, Fruit | Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association | Pesticide | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | Over the last four years, we have identified two new diseases in tomatoes in Maine. This presentation will cover everything you need to know about them and what else is on the horizon. |
January 15, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | History of PFAS Mortality Composting Trials | Continuing Education Credits, Nutrient Management, PFAS, Soil | Maine Nutrient Management Program | Nutrient Management | Lincoln/Oxford | Mark A. King, Organics Management Specialist, Maine Department of Environmental Protection. |
January 16, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Transferring the Farm | Business advising or technical assistance training, Farm finances and planning, Land ownership | Land for Good | Washington/York | Kate Turcotte, Maine Field Agent for Land for Good will describe the seven key components of a farm succession plan ranging from management transfer to retirement planning to family communication. We will discuss strategies for identifying a successor for farms operating without an heir, strategies for success, and how to build a team of advisors that can turn your succession plan into a reality. The goal is to provide a broad overview of the process and to identify resources and next steps. |
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January 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | Understanding the USDA's Value-Added Producer Grant Program | Federal Programs, Fruit | USDA Rural Development Maine | Ft. Western | Value-Added means so much more than turning fruit into jams and jellies! Learn the five different ways an agricultural product would qualify as a value-added product, how the program works, and how to prepare a successful VAPG application. |
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January 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Maine Farmers Can Reduce Energy Costs with USDA's Rural Energy for America Program 50% Grants! | Energy, Farm finances and planning, Federal Programs, Lending / Grants / Financial Resources | USDA Rural Development Maine | Ft. Western | Learn how to qualify for REAP grant funding for agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements. |
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January 15, 2025 | 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM | Variety Updates | Fruit, Membership Meeting, Vegetables | Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. | Ft. Western | Presented by David Handley & Mark Hutton of University of Maine Cooperative Extension |
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January 14, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program | Lending / Grants / Financial Resources | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry | Androscoggin/Aroostook | The Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program impact data will be shared and discussed. |
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January 14, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Maine Ag in the Classroom | Human nutrition | Maine Ag in the Classroom | Auditorium Main Stage | Learn more about local schools and their connection to Maine agriculture! |
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January 15, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | The Maine Cheese Guild | Dairy | The Maine Cheese Guild | Auditorium Main Stage | Maine Cheese Guild has been a wealth of information for all things Maine cheese for more than 20 years! Come to this special presentation to learn about the delicious ways Maine's licensed creameries are crafting products across the state! |
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January 14, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Farm Succession and Transfer Farmer Panel | Farm finances and planning | Maine Farmland Trust | Arnold/Howard | Do you know what will happen to your farm business when you're ready to pass it on? Come hear other farmers' personal successes and challenges in their farm succession journey, and consider the next steps you can take for your own process. This panel hosted by Maine Farmland Trust is a great addition to Land For Goods workshop or a standalone. |
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January 14, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | Demystifying Organic Certification & USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) | Business advising or technical assistance training, Fruit, Vegetables | Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | From basics to support and more. Learn how to become a certified organic producer or support others. Includes details about the USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), which offers valuable resources. Bring a friend, and come with questions! |
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January 14, 2025 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM | NRCS Practices and Planning Activities Related to Nutrient Management: Additions, Changes, and Implementation Trends | Continuing Education Credits, Nutrient Management, Soil | Maine Nutrient Management Program | Nutrient Management | Lincoln/Oxford | Tony Jenkins, State Resource Conservationist, State Soil Scientist, and Julie McGivern, Resource Conservationist for Agronomy, Natural Resources Conservation Service |
January 15, 2025 | 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Chemical Updates | Fruit, Membership Meeting, Vegetables | Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. | Ft. Western | Presented by Brad Mitchell and Brian McCleery |
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January 14, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Planning the Future: Responsible Land Use for Renewable Energy | Energy | ReVision Energy | Hancock | Learn how Maine's longest standing energy company uses responsible practices to site solar on land in Maine. |
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January 15, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Produce Safety Rule Agricultural Water Workshop | Business advising or technical assistance training, Farm safety, Fruit, Vegetables | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and University of Maine Cooperative Extension | Arnold | Produce Farm Food Safety Plan How-To and Help. |
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January 14, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Produce Safety Rule Agricultural Water Workshop | Business advising or technical assistance training, Farm safety, Fruit, Vegetables | Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and University of Maine Cooperative Extension | Arnold | Produce Safety Rule Agricultural Water Testing, Assessment, and System Inspection Workshop. |
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January 15, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM | PFAS Updates | Fruit, Membership Meeting, PFAS, Vegetables | Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. | Ft. Western | Presented by Brad Mitchell & others |
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January 15, 2025 | 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM | Essentials for Successful Retail Marking | Fruit, Membership Meeting, Vegetables | Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. | Ft. Western | Presented by Nate Nourse |
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January 14, 2025 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Economic Impact Report of Organic Farming in Maine: Key Takeaways and Findings | Fruit, Vegetables | Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | What are the opportunities and challenges for Maine farms and organic agriculture? Learn how the full report, which includes recent data, can be a tool to support farmers. Gain insight into size, economic impact, farmer goals, profitability, and other trends. |
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January 14, 2025 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | What to Expect When You're Expecting Soil Test Results | Business advising or technical assistance training | Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association | Piscataquis/Sagadahoc | Why soil test? How do you test your soil? How many samples should you take? How do you read the results and make fertilizer decisions? Get answers and insight about soil fertility, testing, and what to do with nutrient recommendations. |