Rhiannon Hampson, USDA Rural Development; Sherry Hamel, USDA Farm Service Agency; Matt Walker, USDA NRCS

State Director of USDA Rural Development Rhiannon Hampson, USDA Farm Service Agency Director Sherry Hamel, and USDA NRCS State Conservationist Matt Walker would like to share information about programming and support offered by their USDA agencies here in Maine and host an input session for the 2023 Farm Bill. Forming a conduit for federal funding and access to support, Maine’s USDA agencies are involved in so much more than many of us know when it comes to creating thriving local food systems! They will be available to offer an overview of program availability, answer questions that prospective applicants may have, and host a discussion about the 2023 Farm Bill opportunities.

Amber Lambke, Maine Grains; Abby Sadauckas, Apple Creek Farm

Many farmers wrestle with the process of label and packaging decisions and what their logo/branding/merchandising should be. Some farms have applied for and used grant funding (like MOFGA’s Technical Assistance Grant or USDA’s Value-Added Producer Grants) for this work. Come hear from a few folks who have had professional design work done, and the challenges and support they found while developing their brand, labels, packaging, etc. Speakers will include Amber Lambke of Maine Grains and Abby Sadauckas of Apple Creek Farm, who will talk about their efforts to get to where they’re at with their logo and brand, and the labels and various sizes and products that they now package.

Anna Wallingford, University of New Hampshire; Farmers TBD

Join University of New Hampshire entomologist Anna Wallingford and our farmer speakers to discuss best approaches to effective pest management. Much of the time will be devoted to farmer knowledge and experience sharing, so feel free to bring your pest questions and your favorite tips and tricks.Sayer Palmer, Open Woods Farm

Join University of New Hampshire entomologist Anna Wallingford and our farmer speakers to discuss best approaches to effective pest management, including spotted wing drosophila, cabbage aphids, cutworms, and more. Much of the time will be devoted to farmer knowledge and experience sharing, so feel free to bring your pest questions and your favorite tips and tricks.

Stephanie Cesario-DeBiasi, Maine Farm to Institution; Robin Kerber, Department of Education

Learn from Emery Farm (Trent Emery), Little Ridge Farm (Keena Tracy), and Villageside Farm (Prentice Grassi) on the ins and outs of selling produce to their surrounding school district(s). They will be joined by the school nutrition directors that purchase from them, who will share details from the school buyer end (Martha Poliquin and Tina Fabian). Geared toward Maine producers who are interested in selling to Maine public schools, this networking and educational session will explore marketing opportunities and relationship-building with school food buyers. Maine Farm to School Network (MFSN) is currently leading Maine’s inaugural Farm & Sea to School Institute, and MFSN coordinator Stephanie Cesario-DeBiasi with fellow MFSN and Maine Farm to Institution (MEFTI) leaders will facilitate discussion among several farmers and school buyers who have developed successful working relationships. Robin Kerber of Maine’s Department of Education (DOE) will present data and findings on the state’s Local Food Fund, to explore the current economic impact and opportunities of selling to schools. Aspects of a national curriculum entitled “Bringing the Farm to School” will be utilized to examine specific needs, aspects and financial realities of the farm-to-school market.

Polly Shyka and Leslie Forstadt, UMaine Extension’s Farm Coaching Program

Communication patterns are woven into all parts of our farm days. These patterns can be beneficial to examine to see what’s working and what needs some adjustment. With attention and effort, you can pivot from frustration and annoyance to more ease, clarity and joy in your interactions. This workshop will be introspective and interactive. Polly Shyka and Leslie Forstadt from UMaine Extension’s Farm Coaching Program will discuss communication best practices and bring exercises for you to try to learn more about yourself and/or your farm team. Participants will engage with case studies and will work to “tune up” scenarios that they bring from their own operations.

Molly Friedland, Clark Fountain; Facilitated by Eliza Baker-Wacks, Maine’s Land For Good Field Agent

Are you a farmer with extra land or infrastructure to share? Are you a beginning farmer looking for land to lease? As land prices continue to skyrocket, little is available on the market, and access to capital is a barrier to land, there is a growing trend amongst Maine beginning farmers in leasing land and “incubating” on existing established farms. Join for a conversation with beginning farmers and land-owning farmers, as well as Maine’s Land For Good field agent, about sharing farmland. The benefits, challenges and curiosities will be discussed as well as the power dynamics of leasing land. In addition to farmers in these arrangements sharing their experiences, networking time will be provided.

Jeremy Barker Plotkin, Simple Gifts Farm; Collin Thompson, Johnny’s Selected Seeds

Collin Thompson of Johnny’s Selected Seeds will discuss the tomato production systems used to support Johnny’s breeding, trialing and seed production activities. He will outline an “extensive” approach to field production, promoting easy access for harvest and evaluations, reducing disease pressure and enhancing crop rotation opportunities in a nightshade-heavy crop plan. He will cover equipment, field management, crop care and seed harvest. Jeremy Barker Plotkin of Simple Gifts Farm will talk about his experience growing all types of tomatoes for sale through his onsite farm store and wholesale to local grocery stores. He grows in heated and unheated tunnels as well as in the field on his certified organic farm in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Rachel Schattman, UMaine

See how farmers are using relatively inexpensive soil moisture monitoring to fine tune their irrigation strategies and figure out if they’re providing too much water, or not enough, either of which can reduce yields and plant health. We’ll also have discussion space for farmers to share their successes with securing access to new sources of water.