farm & homestead day at MOFGA June 15

A Hands-on Skill Sharing Event, Saturday, June 15, 2013

MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center
Unity, ME, 9 am – 3 pm – Gates will open at 8:30 am
Event is FREE

Learn to weave, spin and felt; how to raise alpacas, rabbits, chickens and other livestock; how to harness a draft horse or make tinctures from native Maine herbs – and much more. Farm & Homestead Day at MOFGA offers dozens of free, hands-on and interactive sessions on useful skills for new and old homesteaders and farmers. Come and learn – at  MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center on Crosby Brook Road in Unity on Saturday, June 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or show up at 7 a.m. to scythe).

For a complete schedule, see www.mofga.org. For more information, contact the Farm & Homestead Day Rabble Rousing Committee at farmandhomesteadday@myfairpoint.net, or Joe Dupere at MOFGA, jdupere@mofga.org or 207-568-4142.

sheepscot general seeks cook

Great opportunity for a greenhorn chef!

Sheepscot General Store is looking for a cook who is creative and excited about fresh food. Someone who is fast paced and ready to build systems to make a farm kitchen efficient and profitable. We are asking this person to learn the current system and then add to it. The vision for Sheepscot General’s food is to be healthy, affordable and highlight the farm or local farms. Ingredients are to be natural (not necessarily certified organic) we don’t use GMOs, MSG, high fructose corn syrup, etc. We strive to provide what our market demands; nutrient dense, fresh, satisfying, simple, affordable food from a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. Check out our website www.sheepscotgeneral.com ON SITE HOUSING AVAILABLE

MOFGA has so much to offer

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Events in Maine and Beyond – Mark Your Calendar!

MOFGA’s Chainsaw Safety, Level I
May 4, Cambridge, Me., 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
May 19, Bethel, Me., 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Come join us May 4th in Cambridge, Maine, or May 19th in Bethel, Maine. This one-day course covers all the fundamentals of safe and effective chainsaw operation. Whether you are an aspiring logger, woodlot manager, or plan to use a chainsaw occasionally this course is invaluable. The chainsaw is an amazingly powerful tool, and without proper training and knowledge it can be a very dangerous tool. Work with our highly skilled instructors for the day and learn to use your chainsaw safely. Register at the online MOFGA Store.

May 17 to 19 – Northeast Livestock Expo, Windsor Fairgrounds. www.northeastlivestockexpo.com/

May 19 – FAMACHA Workshops for Sheep and Goat Producers. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE) on the Windsor Fairgrounds, Windsor, Maine. Presented by Dr. Thomas Settlemire and Dr. Richard Brzozowski. Participants will receive an information packet, record sheets and a FAMACHA card. $20.00 per farm. Register online or download the registration form (PDF) and mail it in with a check for $20.00 made payable to “University of Maine Cooperative Extension” at least one week in advance of the workshop to: FAMACHA Workshop/UMaine Cooperative Extension, 75 Clearwater Drive, Falmouth, ME 04105. Website.

awesome new newsletter on maine grains & oil seeds

This is the first issue of the Maine Grain and Oilseed Newsletter.  In response to the growing number of questions from farmers regarding the production of grains and oilseeds, we decided that it was best to start a newsletter that will, hopefully, provide timely research-based knowledge to Maine’s producers.  This newsletter will be distributed on a monthly or “as-needed” basis throughout the year.  The newsletter will be available through e-mail, and will be posted online (http://umaine.edu/agriculture/blog/2013/04/18/maine-grain-and-oilseed-newsletter-april-2013/) to make reading on certain electronic devices easier.  If you do not want to receive the newsletter, or know of someone who would like to receive the newsletter, please contact Andrew Plant at aplant@maine.edu to be removed from or added to the email list.

This first newsletter contains information on seed selection, market standards, and assessing the viability of fall-sown winter grains.  We hope you will find this information useful to your production needs.

gardens & greenhouse manager

Lakeside Orchards in Manchester, Maine is seeking a Gardens and Greenhouse Manager to manage its several acres of organic gardens and greenhouse. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to develop a high production operation that supplies our retail store and other established markets. This is a full-time seasonal position for 2013. The position could become a full-time year-round position if the right person is found. We are seeking someone with a long-term vision for developing a sustainable year-round vegetable production plan, and a dedication to carry that vision through to reality.

beehive design collective is expanding!

Wanted: Seven inspired & diligent souls to join forces (Beehive Design Collective in Machias, ME)

Wanted: Seven inspired & diligent souls to join forces with the Beehive Design Collective

It’s Spring, and our work is in full bloom! Dear Big World, please send us a few more kickass pollinators!

The scope of our collective’s work has been gloriously expanding both globally and locally. After a long hiatus on new membership, the time has now come for us to bring on a big full time Maine-based crew of multi-talented, politically-attuned, self-driven folks. . . We’re ready!

assistant farm manager position

Great opportunity in Maine:
BEECH HILL FARM ASSISTANT MANAGER

Salary: Dependent on experience

Reports to: BHF Manager

Supervises: Field crew workers, farm stand workers

Education: BA or comparable agricultural experience

Qualifications:

Exceptional organizational and personal communication skills. Passion for working collaboratively with college age students, college staff, faculty, and the wider Mount Desert Island community. Experience and interest in tractor operation and maintenance. Ideally, experience in small business management, and knowledge of growing organically for market. Minimum of 3–4 years farming experience. Familiarity with organic certification standards. Computer literacy, and basic math skills. Ability to oversee maintenance of infrastructure, and deal with contractors.

unique farm manager position in maine

Kennebec Valley Community College seeks Farm Manager (Full-time 12-months)
SALARY: Salary and benefits commensurate with the Agreement between the Maine Community College System and the MEA Administrators Unit. Level III ($36,215.82 to $47,253.45)

QUALIFICATIONS: The successful applicant will hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or a related field and possess a minimum of 2 years of experience as a farm manager, supervising farm workers, and have the ability to work out of doors in a variety of conditions (heat, cold, mud, dust, rain and snow). Master’s degree in Agriculture or related field is preferred. A valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one within 60 days of employment is required. Strong written and oral skills are essential.

job opportunity at tide mill

Greenhorns, this is a tremendous opportunity.  Check out Tide Mill Farm here

homesteading course in maine

Spring Semester course at Stone Soup Insitute in Harpswell Maine.

Stone Soup Institute is offering a spring semester to four students who are curious and adventuresome enough to explore the learning opportunities on a small homestead in coastal Maine. The major focus of this semester will be farming and farm construction.  Coursework will include:

• Use and care of draft horses
• Bed prep and spring planting
• Selection and care of piglets and chicks
• Introduction to greenhouse and cold frame construction
• Wild Harvesting
• Wine Making

Spring Semester: April 5, 2013 – June 30, 2013
Full listing: http://stone-soup-institute.org/springsemester.html
A video intro to the school-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8rwURmzBf8

on the front lines in maine

JOIN MAINE’S CITIZEN CAMPAIGN TO LABEL GMOS

Help Food for Maine’s Future continue the fight for GMO labeling

In late 2011, an Aroostook County farmer tipped off Food for Maine’s Future (FMF) about a meeting in Caribou on canola seed trials conducted by the Cooperative Extension. The evening would be hosted by an area seed company who was a licensed dealer for Monsanto. Curious, an FMF member was dispatched to The County with a box of “World According to Monsanto” DVDs. From the start it was clear this would be unlike any other meeting he had been to before. And what transpired that cold, snowy evening shook him to the core.

The “meeting” opened with a pitch by the dealer to the farmers to buy his discounted 2011 Monsanto seed. The dealer told the group that all seed not sold by the end of the year would have to be returned to Monsanto, so get it now while it’s cheap. Next came the presentation by the Cooperative Extension about their canola trials which included several GMO varieties. Then a Monsanto sales representative gave a detailed Power Point presentation showcasing the latest in herbicide-tolerant corn, soy, and canola. Lastly, as an added enticement, two representatives of a Quebec-based oilseed processor were on hand to tell the farmers how much money they would make for all the canola and soybeans they would sell to the new pressing plant that was soon to come on-line just over the border. The picture this troupe painted was all roses.

register now! for 2013 maine grain conference

2013 Maine Grain Conference / Commercial Production for New Small Grain Markets: Food, Organic Feed, and Seed

WHEN: Friday, March 1^st, 2013

WHERE: Spectacular Events Center, Bangor (395 Griffin Rd., near the airport)

• Market Overview and Resources for Small Grain Farmers
• Converting a Potato Farm to Organic Grains – Markets, Infrastructure, Rotations, Production, and Processing
• Producing Food Quality Grains – Rotation, Fertility, and Disease
• Managing Problem Weeds in Organic Grains
• Seed Laws and Certification
• Sourcing and Producing Quality Seed
• See attached Agenda for more details on Speakers and Topics

Pre-registration is required - $15 includes morning snack and lunch. To register online visit: http://umaine.edu/agriculture/2013-maine-grain-workshop/

1 pesticide credit and 6 CCA will be available.

To register by phone and pay by check call Meghan Dill, (207) 581-3878. Other questions call Ellen Mallory, UMaine Cooperative Extension, 207-581-2942.

assistant farm manager for cultivating community

Cultivating Community, based in Portland Maine, is looking to hire an Assistant Farm Manager for the 2013 growing season.  We are accepting applications through February 27th.  All inquiries should be directed to Sarah@cultivatingcommunity.org

More information here: http://www.cultivatingcommunity.org/get-involved/jobs.html

Cultivating Community (based in Portland, Maine and active in greater Portland and greater Lewiston) is committed to growing sustainable communities in three ways: by feeding our hungry, empowering our youth and community, and healing our planet. We are a community food project. In our urban and school gardens and at our suburban organic farm, we grow produce that feeds hungry people. We use that community food work as a platform for youth and community development. Our youth grow and distribute food, learn about sustainable agriculture and food systems, and work together to solve problems and strengthen their own communities. We have independent youth programs as well as partnerships with schools. We are also a farmer training project.

amazing gigs, every week

Young farmers, or farmer wives or farmers boyfriends — seems like some of us are going to have to get dirty in the office– leadership is needed all over.

Here’s one opportunity:

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) is looking for an Executive Director. The organization is searching for an inspiring and visionary leader to advance its goals. The successful candidate will have a commitment to organic agriculture, to increasing the availability and affordability of locally produced organic food, and to building strong communities and a safe environment.

lovely! a video of sheepscot general

In Whitefield, Maine.