Agricultural Trades Show
The following news item is being sent to DACF subscribers as a courtesy.
The 2020 Maine Agricultural Trades Show occurs Tuesday, January 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday January 15 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursday, January 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center, Augusta Maine.
Read more show press and promotions and view a list of show activities and venue maps at www.maine.gov/dacf/agtradesshow
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tori Jackson: (207) 353-5500
Stephanie Gilbert: (207) 287-7520
New and aspiring farmers work with service providers is focus of in-depth workshops
AUGUSTA – The Beginning Farmer Resource Network (BFRN), a coalition of agricultural agencies in Maine, will host workshops and offer consultation services to Maine’s newest farmers during the Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Jan. 14-16, 2020, at the Augusta Civic Center.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), “a beginning farmer is someone who has operated a farm for ten years or less.” According to the most recent USDA Agricultural Census, nearly one third of the farmers in Maine reported having 10 years or less of experience on their present farm.
“Beginning farmers know better than anyone that there is no instruction manual for the first decade in agriculture,” said Tori Lee Jackson, University of Maine Associate Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and BFRN member. “As a coalition, the Beginning Farmer Resource Network works to help aspiring and beginning farmers find their ‘farm business success’ in an easy and practical manner.”
Throughout the show, BFRN will provide one-on-one technical assistance regarding farmers’ questions about production, marketing and business management. Two 90-minute workshops on Wednesday, Jan. 15, will focus on: 1) recruiting, training, managing and retaining farm labor; and 2) increasing mechanization to reduce labor challenges. Four workshops on Thursday, Jan. 16, will provide strategies for: 1) improving cyber-security of electronic sales; 2) farming in a changing climate; 3) working with municipal officials to improve local farm policy; and 4) working with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency. All workshops will feature farmers and service providers sharing knowledge and lessons learned.
For more information visit the BFRN website at: https://extension.umaine.edu/beginning-farmer-resource-network/ or contact Tori Jackson: (207) 353-5500 or Stephanie Gilbert: (207) 287-7520.
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