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2024 Maine Agricultural Trades Show
Conference Sessions
Conference sessions help attendees learn about current agricultural, food system and natural resource management topics. Some offer membership meetings, and training credits.
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Conference Schedule
More content to be announced, and adjustments may be made as needed. Enjoy the show!
Printable Schedules
- Pesticide Credit Schedule (PDF)
- Maine Stage Schedule (PDF)
- January 9, 2024 - Tuesday (PDF)
- January 10, 2024 - Wednesday (PDF)
- January 11, 2024 - Thursday (PDF)
Tuesday, January 9, 2024 +
Time | Conference | Description |
---|---|---|
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Room: Arnold |
Maine Christmas Tree Association Winter Meeting Host: Maine Christmas Tree Association |
Come learn how to be a Christmas Tree farmer and get pesticide credits. The pesticide credit session is from 10 to 11AM. What is Required in the Pesticide Applicator Logbook? - Alex Peacock, Manager of Compliance, BPC CEU: Pesticide |
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Demystifying Organic Certification & USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Host: Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association |
Learn the basics of organic certification process and requirements of becoming a certified organic producer. The USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) will also be covered. TOPP, which is part of USDA's larger Organic Transition Initiative (OTI), aims to offer unprecedented support for farms and producers to transition to organic certification. Learn about becoming a mentor, a transitioning producer (mentee) and other opportunities through USDAs OTI. |
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room: Washington/York |
Comprehensive Farmworker Safety Training Host: Pathstone |
Customized training reviewing Worker Protection Standard, Limiting Exposure Around Families, and Tractor Safety |
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Room: Hancock |
Farmer Training Session Host: Maine Women, Infants, Children, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program |
This session will give insight on WIC's purpose, eligible foods, requirements, and process. Apply to become a Maine WIC Farmer. |
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room: Waldo |
Poultry Nutrition: Scratching Below the Surface Host: Blue Seal Feeds/Kent Nutrition |
Learn how to navigate feed tags to understand ingredients used and energy provided. We will cover the dietary needs of the birds as well as the nutrition behind the label. |
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Room: Kennebec/Penobscot |
Drones 101 Host: UMaine Cooperative Extension/Maine Board of Pesticides Control Pesticide |
Thomas Massey, Active Intelligence. LLC; John Pietroski, BPC CEU: Pesticide |
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Maine Dairy Meeting Host: Maine Dairy Industry Assoc. (MDIA) |
All Maine dairy farms welcome to join us for an open forum on current topics from policy to market conditions. |
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Agriculture in the tourism space and how to engage with the Maine Office of Tourism Host: Maine Office of Tourism |
Come learn about the Maine Office of Tourism's marketing and PR initiatives; how agritourism enhances the Maine 'brand"; and how you can engage with MOT programs to benefit your business. |
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room: Somerset |
Partnering with Daybreak Growers Alliance Host: Daybreak Growers Alliance |
Learn about the process of partnering with Daybreak Growers Alliance, how to crop plan ahead for a fruitful and cooperative season. |
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room: Hancock |
Maine Cheese Guild Winter Meeting Host: Maine Cheese Guild |
Learn about and discuss Maine cheese making and plans for 2024. |
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room: Lincoln/Oxford |
Composting as a Tool for Managing PFAS Contamination in Livestock Mortalities at a Central Maine Farm Host: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry |
Mark A. King, Organics Management Specialist, Maine Department of Environmental Protection; & Mark F. Hedrich, Nutrient Management Program Manager, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Qualifies for 1 Nutrient Management Recertification Credit. CEU: Nutrient Management |
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room: Auditorium Main Stage |
Farmers' Panel - Making USDA Work for You! Host: USDA Rural Development |
Learn from a panel of Maine farmers who have used USDA programs to improve their agricultural businesses. USDA Rural Development State Director Rhiannon Hampson, Farm Service Agency Farm Loan Chief Lucia Brown, and Natural Resources Conservation Service District Conservationist Peter Abello will facilitate the discussion and help field audience questions. |
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Room: Kennebec/Penobscot |
Potential Changes in Pesticide Uses from the Endangered Species Act Implementation Host: UMaine Cooperative Extension/Maine Board of Pesticides Control Pesticide |
-Pam Bryer, Toxicologist, BPC CEU: Pesticide |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Maine Organic Milk Producers Meeting Host: Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association |
Updates on organic dairy cost of production, updates from Maine Dairy Industry Association, and updates from MOFGA Certification Services on any changes to rules or processes. |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room: Waldo |
Improving Your Flock - Who to cull, how to decide Host: Maine Sheep Breeders Association |
We will share values to help you decide how to improve your flock through purchasing and culling. |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room: Lincoln/Oxford |
Making the Most Out of Your Farm-Grown Crop Nitrogen Sources Host: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry |
Nick Rowley, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Qualifies for 1 Nutrient Management Recertification Credit. CEU: Nutrient Management |
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Room: Kennebec/Penobscot |
BPC Update - Rules, Regulations, and Enforcement Host: UMaine Cooperative Extension/Maine Board of Pesticides Control Pesticide |
Karla Boyd and Alex Peacock, BPC CEU: Pesticide |
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Hoping for the Best, Planning for the Worst Host: Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association |
Learn about how we expect pests and diseases to change with our climate, how those changes will affect management tools, and how you can build more flexibility and resilience into your pest management systems. CEU: Pesticide |
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Room: Auditorium Main Stage |
How Co-opetition Can Help You (And Your Competitors) Grow Market Share Host: Maine Tasting Center |
Hear from SCORE business mentors, and business owners who share first-hand experiences. |
12:45 PM - 1:45 AM
Room: Kennebec/Penobscot |
A Comprehensive Approach to IPM, Soil Fumigation, Timing, Fertility, and ROI Strategies for Sustainable Potato Production in Northern Maine Host: UMaine Cooperative Extension/Maine Board of Pesticides Control Pesticide |
Bee Chim, UMaine CEU: Pesticide |
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Managing nitrogen with uncertain weather Host: Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association |
Nitrogen is the trickiest nutrient to "get right" on organic farms even in an ideal growing year, and it's more difficult when conditions are less than ideal. Learn about organic sources of nitrogen fertility, and considerations for how to best prepare for uncertain growing conditions. Come learn important insight! |
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Somerset |
Maine Winery Guild Annual Membership Meeting Host: Maine Winery Guild |
Annual membership meeting comprising a business session and a presentation |
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Waldo |
Maine ESE Trustees Host: Maine ESE Trustees |
Annual winter meeting |
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Hancock |
AIIP Grantee Meetup Host: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry |
Grantees are welcome to use this time to meet with each other to share updates about their improvement projects. |
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Resources for a Climate Resilient Farm Host: Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association |
Learn about increasing the climate resilience of your farm through resources like Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) cost-share programs and the Climate Smart Commodities program that provides farmers with soil health grants, soil health benchmarking reports, and climate-smart marketing support. |
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Lincoln/Oxford |
Selecting Soil Health Practices to Improve Nutrient Management Host: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry |
Matt Boucher, PhD, State Soil Scientist, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Qualifies for 1 Nutrient Management Recertification Credit. CEU: Nutrient Management |
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Kennebec/Penobscot |
Worker Protection Standard Host: UMaine Cooperative Extension/Maine Board of Pesticides Control Pesticide |
Kerry Bernard, UMaine CEU: Pesticide |
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Auditorium Main Stage |
Local Agriculture in Our Schools Host: Maine Ag in the Classroom |
Celebrate the local agriculture in our schools! Outstanding, award-winning teachers share their Ag education program. |
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Using Cash Flow Projections for Forecasting Risks of Crop Failure Host: Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association |
Cash flow projections are a common financial tool to help farmers assess risks and anticipate how disruptions, costs, weather, crop failure, and other changes impact the farm business. Step-by-step example of a crop failure on a sample farm will show you how to use spreadsheets and data to understand how to use cash flow projection to help build resiliency into your farm planning. |
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Room: Kennebec/Penobscot |
Ag Container Recycling Council Maine Program Summary Host: UMaine Cooperative Extension/Maine Board of Pesticides Control Pesticide |
Mark Hudson/Leigh O'Neill, ACRC CEU: Pesticide |
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Research update: OMRI listed fungicide trial, and sweet potato variety trial Host: Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association |
Presenting two research trial results from the 2023 season. First: five fungicide treatments and two combinations on delicata squash. Treatments included a bacterial bio-fungicide, a knotweed extract bio-fungicide, copper, sulfur and thyme oil. Second: marketable yields of six different sweet potato varieties, grown with organic management in Maine, and was part of a larger trial in New Hampshire. |
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room: Auditorium Main Stage |
National Farmworker Jobs Program Host: National Farmworker Jobs Program |
Learn about the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) a nationally-directed, locallyadministered program of services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their dependents. |
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 +
Time | Conference | Description |
---|---|---|
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Room: Washington/York |
Maine Maple Producers Association Annual Meeting Host: Maine Maple Producers Association |
Rescheduling to another date. |
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Room: Auditorium Main Stage |
The Good Crust Host: The Good Crust |
Learn about the Maine grains used for this delicious dough, and the evolution of this start-up business expanding new product lines for customers in Maine and beyond! |
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room: Arnold |
Maine Pomological Society Winter Meeting Host: Maine Pomological Society |
Pomological Society Business Meeting, Sam Ricker, president. Reports from standing committees on Marketing, Labor, Legislative, etc. CEU: Pesticide |
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Washington/York |
Protecting Maine's agricultural resources: policy strategies to advance farmland protection at the municipal, state, and federal level Host: Maine Farmland Trust |
Wondering how to protect Maine's farmland from development pressure, why this topic matters for your farm or in your town, and how to get engaged? Join us for a session that will share resources and present strategies to advance farmland protection at various levels of government. |
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Maine Beef Producers Association (MBPA) Annual Meeting Host: Maine Beef Producers Association |
MBPA's Annual Meeting includes Board of Directors election and annual Awards. |
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Ft. Western |
Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Program Grants Host: USDA Rural Development |
Come learn about Rural Development's grants to help agricultural producers and rural businesses, particularly our Rural Energy for America Program and Value-Added Producer Grants. |
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room: Lincoln/Oxford |
Nutrient Management in Grasslands Host: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry |
Jaime Garzon, PhD, Assistant Extension Professor and Dairy Forage Educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Qualifies for 1 Nutrient Management Recertification Credit. CEU: Nutrient Management |
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room: Auditorium Main Stage |
Maine Marinara Collaborative Host: Maine Marinara Collaborative |
Learn about the delicious Maine ingredients coming together for this blend of Maine-made sauce helping highlight local processing and scalable menu choices for institutions throughout the state! |
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Room: Ft. Western |
New Vegetable Varieties, Focus on Disease Resistance Host: Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. |
Tom Lewandowski, Harris Seeds and Lauchlin Titus, Seedway |
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room: Arnold |
Shared sessions with other produce growers Host: Maine Pomological Society |
Shared sessions with other produce growers |
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room: Arnold |
Shared sessions with other produce growers Host: Maine Pomological Society |
Shared sessions with other produce growers |
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Ft. Western/Arnold |
Managing Deer Problems on Your Farm - Panel Host: Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. |
Wells Croft, NCRS, IF&W CEU: Pesticide |
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Lincoln/Oxford |
Effects of Nutrient Enrichment on Water Bodies Host: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry |
Thomas J. Danielson, Aquatic Toxicology Unit Leader, Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Qualifies for 1 Nutrient Management Recertification Credit. CEU: Nutrient Management |
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Auditorium Main Stage |
The Maine Cheese Guild Host: The Maine Cheese Guild |
Looking to explore more Maine cheese this coming year? Meet the cheesemaker and learn how more than 60 brands and businesses are making award-winning, mouthwatering cheese from Maine! |
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Room: Ft. Western |
Agricultural Chemical Update Host: Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. |
PFAS: Glen Koehler, Megan Patterson, Regulatory: MBPC, New Products: Nutrien Fee for non-members CEU: Pesticide |
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Room: Somerset |
Farm Labor Listening Session Host: Merrymeeting Food Council and University of Maine Cooperative Extension |
Join the Merrymeeting Food Council and UMaine Cooperative Extension to learn about new and old Ag Apprenticeship programs. We will highlight the newly passed LD 901: Resolve, To Establish a Pilot Project to Support Farm Apprenticeships in Maine, which will provide funds to farms to host ag apprentices. Additionally, learn about the MOFGA apprenticeship program, and the Farm Skill Training program, managed by the Merrymeeting Food Council. There will be time to share your thoughts and needs as related to farm labor needs on your farm. |
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Room: Ft. Western/Arnold |
Recognizing and Managing Stress in Difficult Times Host: Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Assoc. |
Leslie Forstadt CEU: Pesticide |
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Room: Auditorium Main Stage |
Maine 4-H Dairy Team Recipe Demo Host: Maine 4-H |
Learn how to make the award-winning grilled cheese and wild blueberry milkshake recipe from Maine's 4-H dairy team. Enjoy tasty samples featuring Maine ingredients! |
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Room: Washington/York |
Pie Social Host: Maine Farmers Coalition |
Join our founding members for a discussion on agricultural policy and delicious pie! |
Thursday, January 11, 2024 +
Time | Conference | Description |
---|---|---|
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM Registration Required Room: Arnold/Howard |
Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Host: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry and University of Maine Cooperative Extension |
Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, farm food safety best practices, and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule training requirement. Register CEU: Pesticide |
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Building Bridges Between Farmers and Schools Host: Maine Department of Education Child Nutrition Maine Farm & Sea to School & Maine Farm and Sea to School Network |
Join us for this networking and educational session, and hear how you can get involved and work with your local schools. School food service directors and farmers discuss successful working relationships bringing more local foods to Maine students. Updates on Maine's Local Food Fund and new federal Local Food for Schools program for selling to schools. |
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room: Lincoln/Oxford |
Cultivating Knowledge through Immersive Food System Experiences Host: Maine Nutrition Council |
Join us on a journey to learn about the Professional Development in Agriculture Literacy (PDAL) grant and the impact on Maine Career & Technical Education Culinary Art Chef Instructors and their students. Four educational experiences will be highlighted: Culinary Arts Summer Institute, Local Food Competition, Mini-grants, and classroom lessons. |
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Room: Hancock |
Maine Senior FarmShare Information & Farmer Training Host: Maine Senior FarmShare |
Join Maine Senior FarmShare Program Manager to learn about participating in the program and gain training on program requirements. |
9:00 AM - 4:00 AM
Room: Ft. Western |
High Bush Blueberry Production Workshop Host: University of Maine Cooperative Extension |
An in-depth workshop on growing high bush blueberries, from variety selection to pest management, for people interested in commercial production. Pesticide Credits: Attend all three for 1 credit: 10:30-11:00 BB Variety Characteristics 11:00-11:30 Site Selection & Preparation 11:30-12:00 Planting & Early Care Attend all three for 1 credit: 1:00-1:30 BB Plant Nutrition Done Right 1:30-2:00 Pruning BB Bushes Young and Old 2:00-2:30 Pest Identification and Management CEU: Pesticide |
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Room: Kennebec/Penobscot |
Board of Pesticides Control Update Host: UMaine Cooperative Extension/Maine Board of Pesticides Control |
John Pietroski, BPC CEU: Pesticide |
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Room: Washington/York |
Maine Agritourism Summit Host: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry |
Join us for the inaugural agritourism summit! Come with questions about what types of agritourism might be ideal for your farm, best practices for marketing, risk management, and business ideas. Plus, there will be plenty of time for networking with other farmers. |
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Room: Somerset |
PFAS Fund Advisory Committee Public Hearing Host: PFAS Fund |
Join the PFAS Fund Advisory Committee and DACF staff to learn about-and help shapethe programs being supported by the PFAS Fund. You will hear how DACF has assisted PFAS-impacted farms to date and learn about the status of new programs being developed by the PFAS Fund, tentative timeframes for availability, and application processes. You will also be asked to share your ideas for research priorities and implementation strategies. |
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Room: Androscoggin/Aroostook |
Maine Dairy Leadership Cohort Training Host: Maine Cheese Guild |
Financial Planning and Leadership |
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Room: Kennebec/Penobscot |
Drones, Wild Blueberry Disease, Bugs in Wild Blueberries and their Management Host: UMaine Cooperative Extension/Maine Board of Pesticides Control |
2 pesticide credits for attending all three CEU: Pesticide |
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Room: Howard |
Maine's Food Processing: Collaborations for High Impact Host: Maine Food Convergence Project |
Learn about Food Processing interventions sparked by the statewide Food Processing Work Group, including new avenues that gets immigrant and other BIPOC farm produce to schools, hospitals, and Dept. of Corrections facilities. Learn and discuss how we are gaining momentum by forging connections for highest impact. Share your processing-related work and keep an eye out for potential collaborations. |
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Room: Hancock |
Farmer Training Session Host: Maine Women, Infants, Children, and Farmers Market Nutrition Program |
This session will give insight on WIC's purpose, eligible foods, requirements, and process. Apply to become a Maine WIC Farmer. |
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Room: Somerset |
Meet the PFAS Staff Host: PFAS Fund |
Staff from DACF's PFAS Response and PFAS Fund programs will be available for conversations about the Departments PFAS response activities. |
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room: Hancock |
Agroforestry and Permaculture Design for Farmers Host: Maine Ecological Design School |
Learn about the intelligent design of productive tree and shrub systems into the farm landscape. We will discuss the steps in an ecological design process that includes agroforestry forms of production including alley cropping, silvopasture, conservation buffers, windbreaks and more. |
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Room: Auditorium Main Stage |
Maine Immigrant Greens Collaborative Host: Maine Immigrant Greens Collaborative |
Learn how Maine farms, communities, and processors are inviting new Mainers to the table by helping feature locally grown, hearty greens (collard greens, kale, and up-cycled brassica leaves). |
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Room: Auditorium Main Stage |
The Good Crust Host: The Good Crust |
Learn about the Maine grains used for this delicious dough, and the evolution of this start-up business expanding new product lines for customers in Maine and beyond! |
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Room: Kennebec/Penobscot |
Plant Disease Updates- What a Year! Host: UMaine Cooperative Extension/Maine Board of Pesticides Control |
Alicyn Smart, UMaine CEU: Pesticide |
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room: Augusta |
Connecting Farmers and Buyers Host: Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry |
Come hear from wholesale, institutional, and nonprofit panelists who buy from Maine farmers and food producers. Learn what local items they are interested in purchasing, the process of selling to their institution, and the best ways to work together. Panelists will include:
|
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Building a Local Resilient Food System Host: Maine Farm & Sea Cooperative |
Come learn about two exciting collaboratives utilizing local produce, processed locally, for institutional meal creation. Come learn how Maine farmers can create new revenue streams by finding a channel to market for second quality products and how upcycled brassica greens can be a vialble commodity. |
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Somerset |
Farmer Drought Relief Program Listening Session Host: Farmer Drought Relief Program |
DACF is seeking farmer input for developing rules for implementation of the Farmer Drought Relief Fund in July 2024. |
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Room: Piscataquis/Sagadahoc |
Maine Farm & Sea Membership Meeting Host: Maine Farm & Sea Cooperative |
Come learn about two exciting collaboratives utilizing local produce, processed locally, for institutional meal creation. Come learn how Maine farmers can create new revenue streams by finding a channel to market for second quality products and how upcycled brassica greens can be a viable commodity greens. |
Pesticide Credit Schedule (PDF)
Pesticides Re-Certification or Exam Questions?
Email: pesticides@maine.gov
Phone: (207) 581-3884
Ag Core Training & Exam (Pesticide Applicator Licensing - no credit)
REQUIRED: Pre-Registration Form
When: Wed.1/10/2024 8AM - 1PM
Location: UMaine-Augusta Jewett Hall, 46 University Drive Augusta, ME 04330 (near the Augusta Civic Center)