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Optimizing Yields of Maine Wild Blueberries

Wild blueberries grow best with a soil pH around 4.0, which also limits nutrient availability for weeds. Photo courtesy of David Yarborough The fertility and mulch trial at Blue Hill Berry Co. Photo by Nicolas Lindholm Harvesters at Blue Hill Berry Co. use green totes that are somewhat smaller, shallower and lighter than the usual

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Marketing Organic Blueberries

Nicolas Lindholm and Ruth Fiske of Blue Hill Berry Co. Photo by Kim Kral, courtesy of Blue Hill Berry Co. The Blue Hill Berry Co. logo was designed by Molly Blake of Molly B Designs. Photo by Nicolas Lindholm Todd Merrill. Photo courtesy of Merrill Blueberry Farms Merrill Blueberry Farms, now with its third-generation president,

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Lincolnville Bulletin Board

Emilia Carbone, Jed Beach (not shown) and their three adorable bugs are connected to the Lincolnville community through their farm and the Lincolnville Bulletin Board. Photo by Jed Beach By Diane Roesing O’Brien POST: Come join us for a traditional breakfast at King David’s Lodge on Howe Point Road  Sunday April 1st from 7-9 AM Eggs,

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Economic Opportunities for Agroforestry

Heather, Tyler and Atom Omand resting a few feet away from happy cows at a Cornell agroforestry training at Angus Glenn Farm in Watkins Glen, New York. Black angus cattle eagerly grazing after being released into a fresh paddock in a black locust/black walnut silvopasture system at Angus Glen Farm, Watkins Glen, New York. Photo

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Vaults Banks Guilds and More

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway. Photo by Miksu on Wikipedia Hundreds of community members exchange seeds and scionwood at MOFGA each April. English photo The beginning of MOFGA’s new seed library. English photo By Will Bonsall The whole topic of biodiversity and, in particular, our horticultural genetic heritage – heirloom seeds – has

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Labeling Livestock Products

A well designed label that meets labeling regulations. By Diane Schivera, M.A.T. Labeling of meat and poultry products, including eggs, does not have to be difficult if you follow the directions and the process carefully. Always start with a mock-up of your label for the submittal process. Don’t have it printed until it has been approved. Approval can

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Solar Electric Backup System

Two 150 watt solar panels mounted on hinges allow easy seasonal adjustment of their angle to the sun. They are surprisingly responsive even to low light. Mounting at ground level means easy snow removal. The frame is hinged to large landscape timbers and can slide up the side of the house in case of frost

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MOFGA the Maine Forest and Climate Change

Connect with MOFGA’s Low Impact Forestry Project to learn about carbon sequestration in our woodlands. English photo By Mitch Lansky and Peter Hagerty Years ago the Low Impact Forestry (LIF) Project surveyed MOFGA members who owned forestland. We asked for feedback from landowners, whether they owned 1 acre or 500. The survey was not scientific, but it did reveal that

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Orchard Materials

Thinking of using grafting wax or compounds on organic fruit trees? Know the NOP rules and, if in doubt, check with your certifier first. English photo By C.J. Walke Over the winter I have been talking with MOFGA Certification Services (MCS) about materials used in organic orchards and fruit tree propagation. As more farmers and

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Tillage Trials

By Ben Hoffman Minimal tillage is essential for healthy, productive soils. In a seven-year study at the University of Western Australia, total organic carbon in the top 4 inches of soil increased by 1.7 tons/acre with no-till and 1 ton under conservation tillage but decreased by 0.2 tons under rotary tillage. (“Tillage, microbial biomass and

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