Maine Agricultural Trades Show is about more than the farm
Courtesy / Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
The Maine State Agricultural Trades Show will be held at the Augusta Civic Center from Jan. 14-16 this year, and is expected to draw thousands of producers as well as consumers.
Demonstrations will take center stage in the exhibitors hall — literally — at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show next month, the heart of a three-day agriculture exposition expected to draw thousands.
Besides more than 100 exhibitors in the main room of the Augusta Civic Center, there will be over 100 workshops, panels and even some day-long conferences during the event, which runs from Tuesday, Jan. 14, through Thursday, Jan. 16.
Organized by the state Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the show is in its 79th year, and draws everyone from apple producers to woodlot owners, and all agriculture and food producer-related business in between. While the DACF is in charge of the logistics, the show is ultimately a product of the collaboration and planning by the groups and organizations involved, according to organizers.
Moving the presentation stage from the end of the auditorium to the center is in direct response to attendee and exhibitor feedback, the show's website says. "The stage is a place where the story of agriculture is told," it says. "Attendees of all ages will enjoy presentations that range from cooking and design how-to demonstrations, to learning more about agriculture from Maine’s farmers."
The demonstration stage, which has audience seating, includes a variety of live events, including cooking and animal features, discussions about business and law, farmer story-telling and the 4-H Public Speaking Team.
The three-day show is for both producers and consumers, with activities geared towards promoting industry collaboration and progress, where those attending can take stock of current programs, new technology and gather information on the industry, the website says. The show is also a chance for businesses and organizations to promote themselves and network. In addition, more than 20 programs at the show will offer learning opportunities where those who work in the industry can earn certificates. Attendees can also participate in annual meetings by a variety of organizations.
While there will be something going on in every room of the Civic Center, the demonstrations in the exhibitor room, as well as the more than 100 booths from businesses associated with agriculture, is a tradition that continues "as an important place to see and meet people who support agriculture."
Outside the exhibition hall, more than 100 workshops, meetings and forums will take place over the three days, including day-long sessions by the Maine Woodlot Owners, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Maine Farmers Market Convention and more.
And it's not just about plants and food — there will be exhibits, meetings or workshops by organizations as varied as the Maine State Beekeepers Association; the New England Emu Federation; rabbit breeders, beef, pork, dairy, cheese, wine and compost producers and dozens more.
Help for beginning farmers
One focus will be on sessions, including individual mentorship opportunities, for beginning farmers — anyone who's been farming for 10 years or less. Nearly a third of the farmers in Maine are in that category, according to the most recent U.S. Department of Agriculture farm census.
“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 a member of the Beginning Farmer Resource Network.
The network is providing one-on-one technical assistance on production, marketing and business management for beginning farmers at the show. There will also be workshops for beginners on recruiting, training, managing and retaining farm labor; increasing mechanization to reduce labor challenges; improving cyber-security of electronic sales; farming in a changing climate; working with municipal officials to improve local farm policy; working with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency.
Featured all three days will also be "Baskets to Pallets" sessions for newer farmers, and anyone else interested, that will discuss scaling up production.
Forestry Forum, farmers markets and more
The Maine Woodland Owners will also hold a day-long Forestry Forum, the fourth year in a row the event has taken place at the show.
The forum's speakers will include Nancy Olmstead, invasive plant biologist with DACF; Allison Kanoti, state entomologist, who will talk about emerald ash borer infestation; and keynoter Bernd Heinrich, a professor emeritus in the biology department at the University of Vermont, who lives on 500 acres of woodlands outside of Weld and has written more than 20 books about the Maine woods, nature, and biology.
Josh Henry, CEO of GO Lab in Belfast will discuss emerging products, including the insulation the company will be making at the former Madison Paper Mill. Ivan Fernandez, a professor at the Climate Change Institute & School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine, will speak about the impact of climate change on Maine’s woods, including economic opportunity it may bring.
Another day-long event will be the Maine Farmers Market Convention, to be held Jan. 16. The convention will include a two-hour interactive session on risk management by Darlene Wolnik, a national advocate and trainer for farmers markets. It also includes sessions for farmers, community organizers, public health professionals and community health activists, on topics ranging from marketing, law, gleaning, food safety and de-escalating situations at the market.
The Department of Economic and Community Development will hold a day-long "Maine Made" day that will include business and marketing workshops in the morning, and an afternoon of one-on-one pitch sessions to buyers.
Among the nearly 100 workshops and sessions over three days there will also be a day-long program for hemp growers and others in the hemp industry, an agri-tourism discussion; a presentation from the Kennebec County Cooperative Extension on food entrepneurship; local food in schools for producers; and more.
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