Conference Schedule

The Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets Annual Meeting is an opportunity to learn about MFFM's impact over the last year and learn what we have planned for the year ahead.

Judges will evaluate Maine Maple Producer Association Meeting maple syrup contest.

A workshop for farmers interested in commercial raspberry production; we will cover site preparation, varieties, production methods and pest management.

A day of information and community building for Maine woodland owners and forest stewards.

An opportunity to learn about growing Christmas Trees, and interact with fellow growers.

Fruit and vegetable grower certificate course on farm food safety.

Annual meeting for tree fruit growers with Society updates, Highmoor Farm research and IPM.

The meeting is for partner farms and sponsors participating in the LFPA program.

To help landowners find the volumes and species of their woodlots through remote sensing.

Showcasing farmers and woodland owners incorporating agroforestry into their operations, as well as new research underway in Maine and the region to evaluate various agroforestry techniques for broader adoption.

Staff from the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program (PFML) will provide a general overview about the new law followed by an opportunity to hear from the public with a question and answer session.

This session will give insight on programs purpose, eligible foods, requirements, and process. Apply to become a Maine WIC farmer.

Join extension, technical assistance providers, and your peers for a round table discussion on vegetable production. Bring any insect, disease or weed management questions, or just talk about your crop production last year and plans for this year. Coffee will be provided!

Join Maine Policy Work Group members to learn about and help shape policy priorities for the 132nd Legislature that are needed to build an equitable and resilient food system.

Board meeting

Are you a Maine farmer or food producer looking to sell to new buyers? Are you a buyer interested in sourcing more Maine food? Attend this matchmaking event to connect with new local food buyers and sellers. Farmers, schools, colleges, hospitals, prisons, and other wholesale and institutional partners welcome!

What would be helpful to your grazing and grass-based farming needs? What types of training and events are helpful to your farm throughout the year? How do you connect with other farmers to share ideas and get support? Please join the New England Grazing Network (NEGN) to add input for 2025. Anyone with an interest in grazing and grass-based livestock farming is welcome!

Judges will evaluate Maine Maple Producer Association Meeting maple syrup contest.

The Maine Nutrition Council works to contribute to the health and well-being of Maine citizens through education, research and advocacy.

A presentation by John Snell, Snell Farm

Come learn how partners engaged in the USDA's Regional Food System Partnership are addressing farm waste by purchasing off grade produce, utilizing local processors, and are creating quality value added products for institutional sales.

This session will give insight on programs purpose, eligible foods, requirements, and process. Apply to become a Maine WIC farmer.

We will be discussing financing options for meat and poultry processors, including grants, loans, equity capital, and other innovative ways to fund your business.

Learn about the Maine Cheese Guild at the annual meeting and networking.

Meeting of Maine's dairy farmers to get updates and discuss current market conditions, hosted by MDIA

As Maine dairy farmers age into retirement and look toward transferring the business onto someone else, they need to start thinking about showing potential buyers that operating a dairy can be successful and fulfilling. Having skills to present dairy farm financial tools is one of the cornerstones of successful farm transfer.

Meet with other Maine Technical Service Providers to discuss soil health farmer support services. Possible discussion topics include farmer outreach and engagement, best management practice implementation, and soil test result implementation. This session will aim to identify soil health-related resources (for both technical service providers and farmers) and compile a living roster of Maine-specific resources.

Fairwinds Farm by Charlie Rackley

Matt Boucher, PhD, State Soil Scientist, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry

Nick Rowley, Sustainable Agriculture and Horticulture Professional, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

This session will provide technical training in how to create an account and post tourism business and event listings on VisitMaine.com, the state's official tourism website.

VisitMaine.com received over 3.6 million views last year. In 2025, the website will have a new look and enhanced functionality that includes an updated database with a more user-friendly process for creating and updating your tourism business and event listings. Join the Maine Office of Tourism for a step-by-step guide to creating and updating your tourism listings and making the most of the marketing opportunities on VisitMaine.com.

This meeting will be an opportunity to hear the latest status update from the PFAS Fund and to offer suggestions for management of the Fund.

A session covering the breadth of farm-based risk management, ranging from mental/emotional health to climate change.

Mix and mingle with your fellow experts in farmers' markets. Join pre-set roundtables on topics like food access at your market, Info Booths, advertising your market, accessibility at farmers' markets, creative events and programs at market, and more TBD, or set up your own topic.

Join body mechanics and farm work expert Cynthia Flores for a session on how to move safely and efficiently while loading for, setting up, and working farmers' markets. Prevent workplace injury, reduce wear and tear on your body, increase physical efficiency, and set yourself up for a longer, less painful career in market farming and vending. This will be an interactive demonstration--wear clothes you can move in!

For more information

This session will help farmers navigate Maine's health insurance marketplace with the goal of increasing the number of Maine farmers with health insurance coverage. This session will increase awareness of the availability of premium tax credits and cost sharing reductions that farmers may be eligible for depending on adjusted gross income, significantly decreasing farmers' health insurance costs.

Presented by Jason Lily, University of Maine Cooperative Extension

Come provide feedback to the Maine Department of Labor on how best to provide guidance to small employers on their labor law obligations.

Discuss work to provide Maine institutions with the highest possible percentage of healthy, local foods with a focus on a quadruple bottom line model: Social, Environmental, Economics, Diet & Health.

Learn about the process of partnering with Daybreak Growers Alliance, how to crop plan ahead for a fruitful and cooperative season.

Updates from MOFGA Certification Services on any changes to rules or processes. Updates from Maine Dairy Industry Association.

Harris, Seedway and High mowing

Jaime Garzon, PhD, Assistant Extension Professor and Dairy Forage Educator, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

Bruce Hoskins, Soil Scientist and Director, University of Maine Soil Testing and Analytical Laboratory.

Come learn about the Switchboard, connect with members, and provide your insights to develop an effective program.

MOFGA is leaving the space open for farmers to meet and have their own discussions on whatever topics they would like to connect on. Please feel free to use this as a meeting space!

What would be helpful to your grazing and grass-based farming needs? What types of training and events are helpful to your farm throughout the year? How do you connect with other farmers to share ideas and get support? Please join the New England Grazing Network (NEGN) to add input for 2025. Anyone with an interest in grazing and grass-based livestock farming is welcome!

An overview of new and existing resources available to farmers.

Discussing the value of Farm Safety and some basics on navigating workmen's compensation and OSHA.

Discussing the value of Farm Safety and some basics on navigating workmen's compensation and OSHA.

Kate Turcotte, Maine Field Agent for Land for Good will describe the seven key components of a farm succession plan ranging from management transfer to retirement planning to family communication. We will discuss strategies for identifying a successor for farms operating without an heir, strategies for success, and how to build a team of advisors that can turn your succession plan into a reality. The goal is to provide a broad overview of the process and to identify resources and next steps.

This session will give insight on programs purpose, eligible foods, requirements, and process. Apply to become a Maine WIC farmer.

Come learn about FarmDrop. We will host the annual meeting, followed by a farmer panel and workshop on using the FarmDrop network for business growth.

MBPA's annual meeting includes the election of the Board of Directors and the annual Awards.

Produce Farm Food Safety Plan How-To and Help.

Maine DOE Child Nutrition, along with Farm & Sea to School partners, will be hosting a roundtable discussion to demystify, myth bust, and tackle the common perceived challenges food producers come up against when trying to sell to schools in Maine.

ESE Maine Trustees Annual Meeting

Produce Farm Food Safety Plan How-To and Help.

Annual membership meeting comprising a business session and a presentation.

Over the last four years, we have identified two new diseases in tomatoes in Maine. This presentation will cover everything you need to know about them and what else is on the horizon.

Mark A. King, Organics Management Specialist, Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Kate Turcotte, Maine Field Agent for Land for Good will describe the seven key components of a farm succession plan ranging from management transfer to retirement planning to family communication. We will discuss strategies for identifying a successor for farms operating without an heir, strategies for success, and how to build a team of advisors that can turn your succession plan into a reality. The goal is to provide a broad overview of the process and to identify resources and next steps.

Value-Added means so much more than turning fruit into jams and jellies! Learn the five different ways an agricultural product would qualify as a value-added product, how the program works, and how to prepare a successful VAPG application.

Learn how to qualify for REAP grant funding for agricultural producers and rural small businesses for renewable energy systems or to make energy efficiency improvements.

Presented by David Handley & Mark Hutton of University of Maine Cooperative Extension

The Agricultural Infrastructure Investment Program impact data will be shared and discussed.

Do you know what will happen to your farm business when you're ready to pass it on? Come hear other farmers' personal successes and challenges in their farm succession journey, and consider the next steps you can take for your own process. This panel hosted by Maine Farmland Trust is a great addition to Land For Goods workshop or a standalone.

From basics to support and more. Learn how to become a certified organic producer or support others. Includes details about the USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), which offers valuable resources. Bring a friend, and come with questions!

Tony Jenkins, State Resource Conservationist, State Soil Scientist, and Julie McGivern, Resource Conservationist for Agronomy, Natural Resources Conservation Service

Presented by Brad Mitchell and Brian McCleery

Learn how Maine's longest standing energy company uses responsible practices to site solar on land in Maine.

Produce Farm Food Safety Plan How-To and Help.

Produce Safety Rule Agricultural Water Testing, Assessment, and System Inspection Workshop.

Presented by Brad Mitchell & others

Presented by Nate Nourse

What are the opportunities and challenges for Maine farms and organic agriculture? Learn how the full report, which includes recent data, can be a tool to support farmers. Gain insight into size, economic impact, farmer goals, profitability, and other trends.

Why soil test? How do you test your soil? How many samples should you take? How do you read the results and make fertilizer decisions? Get answers and insight about soil fertility, testing, and what to do with nutrient recommendations.