Grant Will Help Send Low-Income Maine Kids to UMaine’s Tanglewood Camp

LINCOLNVILLE (March 20, 2006) – Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center, a program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, recently received a $10,000 grant from the Sunshine Lady Foundation to help recruit youth at risk of poverty for summer camp programs. The grant represents a collaboration between the foundation, the Americorp*Vista project, and Tanglewood to offer summer camp experiences to an underserved population that might not otherwise have an opportunity to go to summer camp.

Tanglewood’s mission is based on accessibility to the widest audience possible; to give all Maine youth the chance to go to camp, to learn from peers, and to explore the many natural wonders of Maine. To that end, every year the organization awards limited scholarships and financial aid to low-income families. This year, however, the Americorp*Vista volunteer, Lawrence Hollins, is marketing the organization to the entire state. With the funds from the foundation, the Americorp*Vista project has the necessary support to reach out to an even larger audience.

“Keeping a window of opportunity open for youth at risk to attend summer camp is a real economic challenge,” said Lawrence Hollins, Marketing Manager and Communities for Children and Youth Americorp*Vista Volunteer at Tanglewood. “With the generous support from the Sunshine Lady Foundation to help finance some of the tuition costs for Tanglewood summer camp programs for low-income families,” continued Mr. Hollins, “we have the chance to open the window even wider and become more accessible.”

Cooperative Extension’s Tanglewood 4-H Camp provides insight into the natural history of Maine and its many natural resources with affordable environmental education and nature-based experiences that help invigorate a sense of place and foster environmental stewardship and positive community involvement. This year marks the camp’s twenty-fifth summer camp offering that is now augmented with two new programs.

For more information pertaining to this grant or Tanglewood, contact Lawrence Hollins at (207) 789-5862 or at lhollins@umext.maine.edu.

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Spring Forage Conference Features Farmer Panel

March 15, 2006

ALBION--University of Maine Cooperative Extension is pleased to offer another forage conference designed to help dairy and livestock producers improve profitability on their farms. This conference will be held on Thursday, April 6 in central Maine at the Besse Building (Town Office) in Albion and will feature Jack Lazor from Butterworks Farm in Vermont. Jack and his wife manage an integrated dairy farm, growing quality forages and grains for their organic herd. Jack will be part of a farmer panel that will discuss grain and forage rotations.

Also on the agenda are presentations by Extension Educator Rick Kersbergen and Extension Dairy Specialist Gary Anderson. Kersbergen will discuss new ideas related to harvesting haylage that will certainly stimulate your thoughts about how and when you cut your grass and legume forages this summer. Anderson will lead a discussion on feeding small grain silages and how best to manage your rations with these types of feed.

The conference is cosponsored by the Maine Organic Milk Producers (MOMP) and the Unity Barn Raisers through an NRCS Conservation Partnership Initiative grant. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. with presentations starting at 10:30 and ending at 2:30. Preregistration is requested and lunch is included in the $8 per person registration fee. Call Sonia at 1-800-287-1426 to request registration materials and an agenda before April 3.

From UMaine Cooperative Extension NEWS

Contact: Rick Kersbergen/Sonia Antunes 1-800-287-1426

UMaine Cooperative Extension Offers “Kids Can Grow” Classes

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March 14, 2006

SANFORD -- Brochures and applications are now available for the 2006 “Kids Can Grow” youth gardening program organized by University of Maine Cooperative Extension. In this five-part series held on Saturdays during May through August at the Crossroads Methodist Church in Sanford, youth along with UMaine Extension Master Gardener volunteers will assemble a 3-foot by 5-foot garden where they will plant and care for their own vegetables, flowers and herbs.

Creator of the program, UMaine Extension Educator Frank Wertheim, likes the program “because it gets kids excited about growing their own food, flowers, and herbs, and hopefully instills in them a life long connection to working with the soil and gardening.”

The cost of the program is $20 and applications are due by April 12. Please contact the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Office in York County at 1-800-287-1535 to request a brochure and application or visit www.umext.maine.edu for more information.

Contact: Frank Wertheim, Extension Educator, 207-324-2814

UMaine Cooperative Extension and MOFGA Partner on Organic Potato Publication

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March 14, 2006

PRESQUE ISLE—Organic farming is the fastest growing segment of U.S. agriculture, and there is no reason potatoes shouldn’t follow suit. In recognition and support of this trend, crops specialists Steven Johnson of UMaine Cooperative Extension and Eric Sideman of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) have teamed up to author an Extension bulletin on growing potatoes organically in Maine.

In 1986 the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) certified fewer than 10 farms selling potatoes. In 2005 MOFGA certified nearly 100 small- and moderate-sized farms marketing organic potatoes. Organic potatoes have a higher market value, usually two to three times that of conventional potatoes. Consumers seek out organic produce not only to avoid chemical residues and obtain better nutrition and flavor, but also because they recognize that organic production practices are good for Maine. Organic potatoes can command a premium price because many Maine consumers recognize the immediate benefits of healthful food, as well as the longer term benefits of soil and environmental stewardship.

Organic farming practices build up soil nutrients, raise the level of organic matter in soil and improve soil structure. These practices including rotating crops—planting cover crops that can be plowed under as “green manure”—as well as adding compost and livestock manures to the soil. Organic growers avoid pesticides, which can disrupt the soil’s beneficial biological activity.

The new Extension bulletin, “Producing Potatoes Organically in Maine,” includes an analysis of common organic soil amendments as well as a table of seed tuber requirements. The bulletin discusses soil management, cutting and storing seed, fertilizing, planting, pest control, harvesting and storing. The bulletin is available through the UMaine Extension publications distribution center for $1.00 at 207-581-3792 or soon for free download in the online catalog at http://extensionpubs.umext.maine.edu/.

Contact: Kyle McCaskill, 207-581-3185 or 800-287-0274

U.S. Senate Designates Extension Living Well Week

ORONO—In 2005, the United States Senate passed a resolution designating the second full week of March as Extension Living Well Week. During the week of March 12-18, Extension family and consumer sciences professionals will make special efforts to teach individuals and families how to improve their quality of life. The emphasis will be on healthy lifestyles, nutrition and food safety, financial management, safety in the home and work environment, relationship and parenting skills, and many more aspects of Living Well.

The goal of the Living Well campaign is to make people aware of the many Extension educational programs and resources that are available to help them achieve a positive, healthy lifestyle. University of Maine Cooperative Extension offers a variety of educational experiences, from parenting, budgeting, child development and youth workshops to home visits with first-time parents and homebound seniors.
During Extension Living Well Week, UMaine Extension educators will offer a variety of workshops statewide, from Healthy Records in Piscataquis County to Parenting Through Separation and Divorce in Franklin and Oxford Counties, and Trans Fat Coming to a Label Near You at the Knox-Lincoln Counties Extension office. UMaine Extension educators encourage you to connect with your county UMaine Extension office, as each county has a particular focus on healthy lifestyles.

UMaine Extension educators can provide newsletters, short courses and fact sheets on many health- and family-related topics. To connect with your local UMaine Extension office, please visit www.umext.maine.edu or call 1-800-287-0274. The Living Well campaign is sponsored by the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Contact: Louise Kirkland, 207-942-7396, 1-800-287-1485

University of Maine Cooperative Extension Offers Ecological Gardening Classes

SPRINGVALE—University of Maine Cooperative Extension in York County, in conjunction with Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm, is offering a five-week spring gardening workshop series geared toward low-input, ecologically friendly home landscape and gardening practices.

The instructors for this series include UMaine Extension specialists and educators along with educators from the community. Course topics include Introduction to the Principles of Ecological Landscaping, Right Plant/Right Place—Avoiding Invasive Species, Landscaping with Native Plants, Low-Input Lawn Care, Landscaping to Enhance Wildlife Habitat, and Home Garden Insects and Diseases—Pests and Friends.

All classes will take place in the Mather Auditorium at the Wells Reserve on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., April 13, 20, 27, and May 4 and 11. Pre-registration is required. The cost for the entire series is $20, or $5 for an individual class. Participants may attend any or all parts of the series. Wells Reserve members will receive a 50 percent discount. For more information about all the class offerings, see the “Spring Ecological Gardening Series” link on the UMaine Extension Web site at www.umext.maine.edu, or call 1-800-287-1535 for a brochure.

Contact: Frank Wertheim, Extension Educator, 207-324-2814 or 1-800-287-1535

Maine Garden Day Offers 30+ Workshops

AUBURN—The 13th annual Maine Garden Day will take place on Saturday, April 8th at Central Maine Community College in Auburn. Maine Garden Day, sponsored by University of Maine Cooperative Extension, is the largest one-day educational home gardening workshop event in Maine.

Over thirty workshops are being offered on such topics such as rain gardens, starting a gardening business, butterfly gardens and backyard irrigation. Also, you can learn about pruning ornamental shrubs, cut flowers, extending the growing season, grapes and more. The day includes a trade show featuring garden products and educational displays.

Pre-registration is required so that workshops/classes can be assigned to participants prior to their arrival. Continuing education credits and pesticide re-certification credits are also available for those who qualify. There is a $40 registration fee, which includes a catered lunch, refreshments and all workshops. There are no walk-ins on the day of the event. For more information, and to register for Maine Garden Day, visit the UMaine Extension Web site at http://www.umext.maine.edu/ and follow the Maine Garden Day link, or request a brochure from University of Maine Cooperative Extension by calling 1-800-287-1482.

Contact: Frank S. Wertheim, Extension Educator, 1-800-287-1535 or

Mid-Coast Elderhostel Programs Seek Volunteer Hosts

LINCOLNVILLE – Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center, a program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, announces volunteer host positions for its Elderhostel educational programs in the mid-coast area. Successful applicants will help lead groups of adults age 55 and older and participate in programs taught by professionals in their field for free as a volunteer. Lodging and meals are included.

Tanglewood offers fifteen Elderhostel programs on eight different topics that explore the many treasures of the Maine coastline including bird life, natural and cultural history, lighthouses, the Camden Hills, marine and forest ecology, and some of the local agriculture in the mid-coast area. The programs vary in duration from four to six days and are offered from spring through fall. Selected volunteers will choose one of the programs to fit their schedule and interests. Tanglewood’s staff provides training and extensive support for two hosts per program to help with leadership skills and to provide background knowledge of the local area.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for those individuals looking to explore a new area, enjoy the splendor of the mid-coast area, and spend time with other like-minded adults,” said Laura Sebastianelli, Tanglewood’s Adult Program Coordinator. “Furthermore, it’s a wonderful opportunity for Maine residents to take advantage of an Elderhostel program free-of-charge.”

Elderhostel is a nationally recognized organization offering adventures in lifelong learning around the world for older adults. Since 1975 it has offered highly acclaimed learning opportunities at exceptional values. Tanglewood proudly partnered with the internationally recognized organization to offer Maine residents affordable educational opportunities that explore the many natural wonders around the Camden Hills and the Penobscot Bay area.

The deadline for applying for the volunteer host position is April 1st and training commences on April 25th. Visit Tanglewood’s website for program descriptions, a job description, and volunteer application at www.tanglewood4h.org. Alternatively, Laura Sebastianelli, Tanglewood’s Adult Program Coordinator, is available at (207) 789- 5808 or at lauras@umext.maine.edu.

CONTACT Lawrence Hollins, 207-789-5862