Released April 17, 2008

NORTH NEW PORTLAND, Maine -- The Maine Grass Farmers Network (MGFN), a cooperative effort of University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), has received funds to purchase machinery for shared use by Maine farmers to improve nutrient management, pasture productivity and overall performance of grazing animals. This equipment will be available for MGFN members that attend an equipment training session and pay a $25 maintenance fee; to become a member or to sign up for a training session, contact Gabe Clark at (207) 340-0098 or gabe.clark@coldspringranch.com.

The new equipment, provided by the USDA Conservation Innovation Grants program, includes a manure spreader and a no-till drill; no-till drills improve the desirable species in pastures without expensive tillage and re-seeding practices. This equipment can also help farmers improve old, neglected pastures though good soil and manure management practices.

At the equipment training sessions, MGFN coordinators will go over proper use and calibration, and how to apply best management practices (BMPs) when using the equipment. The first training will be April 24 at 5 p.m., in North New Portland at Cold Springs Ranch on Gilman Pond Road. A second training will be April 27 at 2 p.m. at the MOFGA fairgrounds in Unity. A fall training is tentatively scheduled for August 31.

Information about MFGN is available on their Web site(http://www.umaine.edu/umext/mgfn/) and includes newsletters, articles and information about educational events and conferences.

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http://extensionnews.blogspot.com/2008/04/maine-grass-farmers-network-offers.html

Contact: Jennifer O'Leary, (207) 353-5550 or 1-800-287-0274 (in Maine), joleary@umext.maine.edu