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The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Maine Forest Service is pleased to announce the launch of a new statewide education program, the Adaptive BMP Cooperative (ABC), designed for all those involved in Maine’s forest products industry. ABC will make it easier for forestry and logging professionals to find recognized, quality BMP training programs and identify professionals who have participated in those training programs.
ABC endorses forestry training programs that integrate specific adult education principles and practices and meet strict training quality criteria. The program is guided by an advisory panel that includes logging contractors, professional foresters, forest products companies, non-profit organizations, and state agencies.
ABC is currently endorsing trainings on Best Management Practices (BMPs) for forestry. BMPs are voluntary, recommended measures and procedures applied in timber harvesting operations that, when used appropriately, protect water quality and related resources.
ABC does not develop or provide training. Instead, ABC endorses, upon request, training programs developed and implemented by organizations involved in Maine’s forest products industry. Training programs endorsed by ABC are assessed by two reviewers with expertise in forest or water resource management and adult education. Final endorsement by ABC requires the approval of the advisory panel and the Director of the Maine Forest Service.
The training programs currently endorsed by ABC include Stream Smart Phase One, Stream Smart Phase Two, Fundamental BMPs to Protect Water Quality on Haul Roads and Skid Trails, and Fundamentals of Road Maintenance Using Graders. Additional training programs are expected to be endorsed by ABC through 2024.
More information about this important educational program can be found on the ABC website. Visitors to the site will find a calendar of upcoming endorsed training programs, full descriptions of these trainings, and a searchable list of training program participants.
WHEN:
Thursday, December 7, 2023
WHERE:
Jeff’s Catering -15 Littlefield Way, Brewer, Maine
TIME:
5:30 - 6:15 PM - Social “Hour”
6:15 – 7:00 PM – Buffet Dinner
7:00 – 8:00 PM – Forum Speaker and Discussion
COST:
$25 for Members and $35 for Non-Members - Payable at the door.
Payment via cash, check or credit card.
TOPICS:
Chaga Mushrooms – A New Revenue Opportunity
Landowners are evaluating new revenue streams from their land, adding to timber income. Growing Chaga mushrooms is emerging as one of those sources, compatible with timber harvesting. JustNiks Mycosilva LLC is the leading Chaga mushroom cultivator in the world, who contract to purchase back all the Chaga from private forest owners. By growing Chaga, forest owners can generate an additional income stream from their forest while promoting sustainable practices. By cultivating a high value chaga biomass on an otherwise low value tree, the company adds a unique link in the forest management value chain. Come hear Justin & Nikki Triquet, owners of JustNiks Mycosilva LLC, talk about this emerging opportunity, and how this additional revenue stream fits with traditional forest management activities.
Domestic Trade Grant – Opportunity for Funding
The Maine Department of Economic & Community Development has a grant program that provides between $25,000 and $250,000 (depending upon the size of the company) for activities related to increasing domestic sales. The grants are open to businesses in pandemic-impacted industries (including the forest industry) across the state for activities that are directly related to increasing market reach and expanding sales activities. Come hear about this opportunity, which has a currently open round with a December 15 deadline, and another round expected in Spring 2024. This is a rare opportunity to get funding for marketing, trade shows, and similar activities.
Pre-registration is requested by Tuesday, December 5, 2023 (today!) to assure an accurate head count for meals!
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