Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Augusta Civic Center
Each year at Maine's Agricultural Trades Show, MOFGA offers a series of presentations and discussion groups covering a wide range of sustainable agriculture subjects. All presentations are free and open to the public. MOFGA has an information exhibit during all three days of the Trades Show. Staff and Committee members are available to answer questions about MOFGA's ongoing programs. There is no pre-registration for the day's events.
MOFGA members are encouraged to attend the Association's Annual Meeting, which will be held at 1:30pm in the Piscataquis/Sagadahoc Rooms.
9:10 am **Some Like It Dry (Piscataquis/Sagadahoc)
Eric Sideman, Organic Crop Specialist
The 2010 season was a dry season. Normal seasons are rare now. It seems like we are very wet or very dry. Don't worry, it seems there is always an insect of fungus species that can do well no matter what. Come learn about who thrived in the drought, learn how to manage them, and ask questions about anything. I may have an answer.
9:10 am Certification Information Session (Androscoggin/Aroostook)
Interested in becoming certified? Get an overview of the federal regulations. Learn how to apply for organic certification. Bring your questions and we’ll try to provide answers. MOFGA Certification Services staff will be on hand; Director, Mary Yurlina and Associate Director of Crops, Jaco Schravesande-Gardei.
10:10 am Resources & Services for New & Beginning Farmers (Piscataquis/Sagadahoc)
This special 2-hour session will feature representatives from organizations that provide services and support for new and beginning farmers. Participants will include the MOFGA Journeyperson Program and Organic Farmer Loan Fund; Maine Centers for Women, Work, and Community; Maine Farmland Trust’s Farm Viability Program; the Maine Women’s Agricultural Network, Land for Good. It will include a discussion of stewardship incentives offered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for new farmers, and will offer a farmer's perspective from Meg Liebman of South Paw Farm, who has benefited from these programs.
10:00 am 2-HOUR Session Pasture Rule (Androscoggin/Aroostook)
Overview. Farmers raising organic livestock must comply with the National Organic Program's new Pasture Regulation. It requires ruminant livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) to consume a minimum of 30 percent dry matter from pasture over a grazing season of at least 120 days. Join MOFGA's certification and technical services staff for a double session on this important new standard that will strengthen the organic label.
Pasture Rule Record Keeping and Compliance. Learn about the documentation required to meet the Pasture Rule. Dry matter calculations, pasture maps, and options for record logs will be explained. Common problem areas will be discussed. Time will be set-aside for Q & A. Katie Webb, Dairy Certification Specialist, will lead this session.
Pasturing Management Strategies. Join Diane Schivera, MOFGA's Livestock Specialist, and a panel of organic livestock producers as they present ideas for managing animals 6 months and older on pasture, maximizing pasture performance, expanding pastureland, coping with poor pasture conditions while not jeopardizing compliance with 30% DMI and housing strategies for outside access.
1:30 pm MOFGA Annual Meeting (Piscataquis/Sagadahoc)
Hear from Executive Director, Russell Libby and from committee chairs about MOFGA’s activities and accomplishments this year and our plans for the future. Participate in elections for MOFGA’s Board of Directors, vote on bylaw changes, and network with MOFGA staff, members, and certified growers.
*1:30 pm Lessons from Denmark (Howard Room)
Farmers, millers, and researchers from Maine and Vermont traveled to Denmark this fall to learn about organic food grain production, processing and use from our more experienced Danish colleagues. Come hear from tour participants about what they learned and how it relates to creating a vibrant food grain industry here in Maine.
*2:30 pm A Focus on Quality (Howard Room)
“Never compromise quality” was a common messages from our Danish hosts. Learn about key production, storage and processing strategies to produce and maintain quality organic grains.
3:00 pm WIC Vendor Training for Farmers (Piscataquis/Sagadahoc)
Upon completion of this one hour training, you will be approved to accept Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) and Fruit and Vegetable vouchers from the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition assistance program. Farmers are asked to please fill out the vendor application beforehand. Request an application by calling 1-800-437-9300.
3:00 pm Understanding Farm Insurance (Androscoggin/Aroostook)
Farmers have a special interest in understanding the insurance market. This session will be an overview of how to assess risk on your farm and determine what type(s) of coverage are necessary for your operation.
*4:00 pm Bread Wheat Research Updates (Howard Room)
Which bread wheat varieties do best in Maine? How can weeds be controlled in organic grains? Which organic fertility strategies produce the highest quality grain? Hear from University of Maine researchers about ongoing projects and results.
4:00 pm Got Health Insurance? (Hancock Room)
Mike Fitzpatrick of All Points Insurance and Carl McNally from Med-A-Vision will explore insurance options for farmers and food producers.
Thursday, January 13th 2010
11:00 am Does Maine need a statewide farmers' market association? (Somerset)
Come join the discussion as we explore support services that exist, those that are needed and how you can get involved.
1:00 pm MOFGA Certified Maple Syrup Producers Meeting (Aroostook)
MOFGA Certification Services Staff will discuss issues involving the organic system plan that producers must keep up-to-date and the records that need to be present at the annual inspection. Producers interested in certification with MOFGA are welcome to attend to find out more about the process.
*Organized by UMaine Cooperative Extension in cooperation with the Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association and The Kneading Conference.
**Eligible for 1 credit toward Pesticides Applicator Recertification