2006 Maine Agricultural Trades Show

MOFGA-sponsored programs: Tuesday, January 10th

---9:15am---
A) Energy Conservation and Season Extension: Mutually Exclusive? Season extension is becoming more and more important to Maine farmers as they seek to more consistently serve local markets and increase revenue with high-value off-season crops, but heating greenhouses is very energy-intensive and risky, especially with skyrocketing fuel costs. Hear from Maine farmers who have tried to solve this dilemma, and contribute your own thoughts to the discussion. - Piscataquis/Sagadahoc room

B) Efficient small CSAs. This session will focus on how to make a small CSA work, both for the farmer and for the shareholders. One of the challenges for a small farm is to have multiple crops in succession, so the emphasis will be on how to use crop planning to avoid "holes". - Cumberland room

---10:15am---
A) The USDA New England Plant, Soil, and Water Lab in Orono has been increasingly reaching out to the organic and small farm community. Hear from Wayne Honeycutt, the Lab's director, about what he and has colleagues have been doing that is relevant to small and organic farmers, and provide feedback and comments that will help to shape the lab's future research agenda. - Piscataquis/Sagadahoc

B) Consumer-driven CSAs. Andy Burt, from the Maine Council of Churches, and Richard Harrison, organizer of EcoFarm, a multi-farm CSA and distribution system in Massachusetts, will talk about how to bring groups of consumers, as blocks, together to support CSAs.Organic and Small Farm Research for Maine Farmers - Cumberland room

---11:15am---
MOFGA's Annual Meeting. Hear from Executive Director Russell Libby and from committee chairs about MOFGA's activities and accomplishments in 2005 and our plans for the future. Participate in elections for MOFGA's board of directors, vote on bylaws changes, and network with MOFGA staff, members, and certified growers. - Piscataquis/Sagadahoc room

---1:30pm---
A) Resources and Materials for Organic Pest Management. MOFGA's Crops Specialist Eric Sideman recently worked with other researchers around the Northeast to compile efficacy data on various organic peat control strategies and materials into a new Resource Guide. Eric will introduce the Resource Guide and take your questions about organic pest control and fertility management. - Piscataquis/Sagadahoc room

B) Growing Nursery Crops in Maine. Currently, a 15 to 20-member growers' co-op grows out many of the trees and shrubs sold trough the Fedco Trees catalog. Come learn more about growing nursery crops for Fedco and how you might participate, with John Bunker. - Cumberland room

C) Planning & Encouraging Coordination of Crop Production for the 2006-2007 Distribution Season. A round table discussion led by Jim Cook of the Crown O'Maine Organic Cooperative. Quality standards, price expectations, risks and logistics will be discussed with an eye to creating a wider market with the supply to meet the demand. - York Room

---2:30pm---
A) Organic Certification Issues Update. Are you considering becoming certified organic? Are you mystified by the new USDA regulations? Come hear Mary Yurlina, MOFGA's Certification Services Coordinator, discuss and answer questions about the basic requirements for organic certification and the application and inspection process. Application packets for 2006 will also be available. - Piscataquis/Sagadahoc room

C) NRCS Services for Organic Growers. Laura Lecker and Jody Peloquin of the Maine Natural Resources Conservation Service both recently completed advanced training in organic agriculture. They will speak about NRCS programs and services that are relevant to organic growers in Maine. - Cumberland room

---3:30pm---
A) Storage Crops. Come hear Rob Johanson and Jan Goranson of Goranson Farm in Dresden discuss their operation. They grow lots of keeper crops to supply their winter CSA, and recently built a new barn with innovative and state-of-the-art storage facilities. - Piscataquis/Sagadahoc room

B) Raising and Marketing Pigs Pigs are an important component of a diversified farm system, and markets are growing for local, humanely produced pork products as the drawbacks of industrial hog production become evident. Ellis Percy of Spruce Bush Farm will discuss their pasture-based pig-raising operations from farrow to finish. - Cumberland room