Maine Weather and Climate

The Northeast Drought Early Warning System Dashboard shows that streamflow

and groundwater levels are normal or above normal statewide, and recent

significant snowstorms have brought snowpack to near normal for this time of year

statewide – good to see after a late start to the snow season across southern parts of

the state.

This weekend begins with a major cold wave with Saturday morning temperatures

plunging into the negative teens in the south to -20°F or several degrees colder in

the western mountains and northern areas of the state. Wind chill values range

from the -30s to around -60°F. Temperatures will warm up on Sunday with highs in

the 30s to teens north to south. A moderate cool wave is forecast overnight Monday

into Tuesday, followed by another warm wave, but with generally seasonable

temperatures. There is potential for snow on Sunday and Tuesday overnight into

Wednesday. As always, check weather.gov for the latest weather forecasts for your

area. For winter weather information refer to the NWS Caribou and Gray forecast

office pages.

The NOAA/NWS Climate Prediction Center 8–14 day outlook probability maps for

February 7–11 (issued February 1) show likely above normal temperature and a

leaning toward above normal precipitation. The three-month seasonal outlook

maps for February – April (issued January 19) show a leaning toward above normal

temperature and equal chance of above or below normal precipitation.

Sean Birkel, Assistant Extension Professor, Maine State Climatologist, Climate

Change Institute, Cooperative Extension University of Maine. For climate/weather

questions related to agriculture, send Sean e-mail at birkel@maine.edu

Farmers: Still Time to Complete the Ag Census! Feb. 6 Deadline

What is it? The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Taken every five years, the census provides valuable information used at the local, state, and national levels to plan for the future.

Why should you fill it out? The info provided impacts everything from farm programs and funding, crop insurance rates, rural development, disaster assistance, the Farm Bill and more.

What Is a “Farm” according to the census? A farm is defined as any place that produced

and sold, or normally would have sold, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the census

year (2022).

Where you can fill it out: Online at www.agcounts.usda.gov. Deadline: Feb. 6.

Produce Safety Course

Free virtual course, Mondays, 6 - 8 pm, Feb. 6 - March 13.

A practical, systems-based training, designed by farmers for farmers, to develop and implement scale-appropriate food safety plans. In this six week online class, farmers are guided through the process of performing food safety risk assessments of their farm operations. They identify changes they wish to make, and utilizing free online templates, write a food safety plan to address them. The plans include farm maps and assessments, food safety practices and standard operating policies, and logs and record keeping systems. Training integrates co-management of the farm’s natural resources into the design of the food safety system. Practical discussion of scale-appropriate strategies for cost-effective implementation of food safety goals are part of each topic area. Following each session, participants work on writing that portion of their food safety plan. REGISTER HERE.

USDA Announces Signup for 2023 Assistance for Food Safety Expenses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds specialty crop producers of available assistance to help cover costs of complying with regulatory and market-driven food safety certification requirements.

As part of the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept applications for 2023 costs from Feb. 1, 2023, to Jan. 31, 2024. Contact your your local FSA officeFSA office for more information. Answers to frequently asked questions.

New Windham Farmers Market Looking for Vendors

WINDHAM, MAINE FARMERS’ MARKET is looking for vendors for the 2023 summer season. Farmers and producers of fresh and/or shelf-stable foods, coffee, or other foods and drink. The market will be held on Saturdays, May 20th - September 30th 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. FMI email FarmersMarket@WindhamMaine.us or call Lisa at 207-894-4097. Visit our webpage at WindhamFarmersMarket.com

New Factsheets on Soil-Water Monitoring Released by UMaine & UVM

As our climate changes, managing soil water availability will become increasingly important and challenging. In particular, irrigation systems are becoming critical. Farmers and researchers are exploring new irrigation-management strategies, particularly in regions that have not historically relied upon irrigation to meet crop water needs. Soil water monitoring systems are a key component of efficient irrigation, enabling farmers to both maximize water-use efficiency and ensure that crops can thrive. This is especially important given the increased variability in rainfall experienced in recent decades across many parts of the world.

Read more and find the new factsheets here.

Growing Hope: Practical Tools for Our Changing Climate Virtual Conference

Tuesdays & Thursdays Feb. 28 - Mar. 16

Join us for NCAT’s third annual national conference! This free virtual convening will feature renowned speakers and showcase farm stories that make the connection between our changing climate, healthy soils, and farm productivity and resilience.

We will leave you with an understanding of climate beneficial agriculture and actions you can take on your own land to make your farm and your local community resilient in the long term.

Each Tuesday session will last for three hours, and each Thursday session is two hours with an optional networking after-session.

Find all the details about speakers and topics for each session at our website.

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants Available through USDA

These competitive grants will fund costs associated with planning or implementation of urban and/or innovative agricultural production projects. Projects funded in 2022 included conducting a feasibility study and developing a business plan establishing a cooperative for small-scale producers serving low food access markets in Harris County, Texas.

USDA will accept applications on Grants.gov until 11:59pm ET on March 27, 2023.

Agricultural Employment Law Discussion: H2A and the Fair Labor Standards Act

February 21st, Online

Brian Cleasby from the U.S. Department of Labor will lead this discussion on Federal Agricultural-Related Employment Laws, including updated H2A rules, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. We will cover key considerations to avoid common wage, disclosure, housing, transportation and recordkeeping-related violations as an agricultural employer. Free, registration required.

Maine Brand Study

We need your help to better understand the brand of our state and how it resonates with Maine's business leaders!

The University of Maine's Graduate School of Business, in partnership with MaineBiz and the Catherine Cutler Institute, is conducting research on whether the Maine brand confers a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Led by researchers Caroline Paras, Ph.D. Candidate, Erin Percival Carter, Marketing Professor, and Norm O'Reilly, Dean of the Graduate School of Business, the study's results will be broadly and freely shared with an aim to inform industry about how the Maine brand affects key business decisions. Learn more about and participate in the survey here.

Northeast Cover Crop Council's Annual Conference in Portland

February 16th, Portland

Join Extension staff at the 2023 Northeast Cover Crops Council Annual Conference held in Portland, Maine. This event is open to farmers, students, Extension agents, crop consultants and other agricultural professionals. Registration and complete schedule.

Mending Our Fences Podcast Released to Address Farmer Stress

Mending Our Fences, a new podcast series sponsored by the Cultivemos/North East Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network has been posted on Google, Spotify and Apple. Listen to folks from the realms of agriculture and mental health come together to look at some of the every-day hard things that come with life in agriculture, take them apart to learn more about what makes them hard and put them back together in sometimes surprising ways that promote hope, possibility and resilience.

USDA Rolling Out Revenue Based Disaster and Pandemic Assistance Programs

USDA Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Relief Program Phase Two (ERP) and Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) application periods are open from January 23, 2023, through June 2, 2023. Contact your local FSA at their USDA Service Center to receive program benefits.

2021 New England Agriculture Statistics Annual Bulletin

From farm operators across the region who participated in the voluntary surveys NASS conducted throughout the year.

It has a wealth of information about each New England state agriculture including average values of: farmland, cash rent of cropland,  

Some Maine Statistics

Average Farm Real Estate Value per Acre $2,600

Cash Rents of Cropland (per acre) $60 ($24 - $125)

Price of Hay (per ton) $158

Av. Yield Hay (per acre) 1.91 tons

Av. Price Sweet Corn $5.10 / dozen

Av. Price Maple Syrup $38.60 / gallon

Farmers And Ranchers Sought For A Study About Balancing Children And Work



Researchers at the National Farm Medicine Center and The Ohio State University are looking for farmers and ranchers who are raising children 0 to 18 to participate in an online survey. The survey asks about your families’ experiences of taking care of children (age 0 to 18) while also working on and off the farm/ranch. The survey is open to part time and full time farmers, ranchers, and their partners operating in rural, urban, or suburban areas. Participants have the option to enter a raffle for one of fifty $50 checks.

To fill out the 15 to 20 minute survey, visit this link: https://redcap.link/Survey1_FarmersRaisingChildren

For questions or to request a paper survey, contact Florence Becot at 715-389-9379 or becot.florence@marshfieldresearch.org

Managing Forage Crops Workshop

February 21, 2023

10:00 AM-3:30 PM

University of Massachusetts Research Farm: 89 River Road, South Deerfield

Free Registration (lunch provided): https://ag.umass.edu/2023-managing-forage-crops-workshop

Animal operations are constantly seeking to reduce feed costs while maintaining high forage quality. This forage crop management workshop is a multi-state effort that provides the latest information about various aspects of forage production. Speakers from UVM, Cornell, UNH, and UMass including UMaine Extension staff Jaime Garzon and  Rick Kersbergen, retired).

Cold Weather Tips for Livestock Owners

When meteorologists call for frigid temperatures across Maine, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Department of Agriculture offer tips to protect workers and livestock from cold weather. There are also tips on what to do to prevent and repair frozen pipes.

• Good feed, fresh clean water, adequate access to shelter (especially if windy, cold, or wet), dry bedding, good traction in outdoor runs, and proper ventilation.
• Provide more feed. Ruminants and equines can get some extra body heat from gut microbes while digesting hay.
• Younger animals might not have the same body conditioning therefore they may require extra bedding and possibly more protection from the cold by providing blankets, ear muffs or both but be sure the blankets are dry.
• Take care of yourself, too by dressing appropriately, wear layers and protect your extremities. Stay dry. Take frequent breaks to warm up throughout the day when working outside.

Click here for more information

Horse Care Survey and Cattle Care Survey

I am Madison Slane, a senior at Clemson University majoring in animal and veterinary science with a pre-vet concentration. I have been working on research investigating large animal misconceptions and identifying where there may be miscommunication between veterinarians and large animal owners. The project also aims to determine how the internet and social media can affect client education. Those that have worked with either equine, cattle, or both regularly, are invited to participate in the study.

Participation in the survey is voluntary, and all responses are completely anonymous and should take about 5-10 minutes to complete. If you have any study-related questions, please contact me or Dr. Elliot Ennis at ege@clemson.edu.

Thank you for your help! 

Horse Care Survey: 

https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bC9MLVeT6ZZN9u6 

Cattle Care Survey: 

https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9XCveqXsV2JPtqu

Meat Cutting School

SPACE IS LIMITED TO 16 PARTICIPANTS. Please register early, last year this course filled up on the first day of registration.

The 2023 Maine Meat Cutting School will run from May 10-12th, 2023 at the University of Maine in Orono. This year's course includes hands on cutting training with pigs and lambs. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is working with the School of Food and Agriculture, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, and the University of Kentucky to offer a three-day course in professional meat cutting/processing, with a third day set aside for any spillover and classroom learning objectives. This course includes both classroom and hands-on training.

Click here for more information.