Training for Poultry Producers at Ag Trades Show

AUGUSTA, ME—University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Alternative Poultry Association (MAPA) are sponsoring an afternoon of practical training for poultry producers, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10. The training is part of the 2007 Maine Agricultural Trades Show at the Augusta Civic Center January 9–11, which will feature more than 100 exhibit booths as well as many other workshops and meetings. (Visit www.getrealmaine.com for trades show schedules and exhibitors.)

Poultry Specialist Jacqueline Jacob from University of Minnesota Extension Service will lead the poultry workshop, which will begin with a half-hour business meeting led by MAPA President Gary Balducci. Jacob will then present several sessions, including "Common Mistakes in Feeding Poultry" at 1, "Evaluating Egg Quality on the Farm" at 1:45, and "Parasites of Poultry" at 3:00. Additionally, UMaine Extension Educator Richard Brzozowski will present "Poultry Programming Plans for 2007" at 2:30, discussing the Maine Poultry School as well as the Youth Poultry Program and the Avian Bowl Team.

MAPA is the successor to the Maine Poultry Association and is intended to serve small-scale poultry owners who produce turkey, broilers, game birds and eggs for local consumption. With a focus on education, MAPA provides services such as biannual speakers and a monthly newsletter for its members, and also cosponsors 4 H programs for youth education. "We're always looking for more members, and they can be people with two chickens or people with two thousand chickens," remarked Balducci. To join MAPA, contact Balducci at (207) 882-5407.

Contact: Richard Brzozowski, 207-780-4205, rbrz@umext.maine.edu

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Informational Session for 4-H Poultry Teams

AUGUSTA, ME— University of Maine Cooperative Extension will be offering an informational session for 4 H Leaders on establishing a Maine poultry team for the 2007 Avian Bowl competition in Louisville, KY; the session will feature Poultry Specialist Jacqueline Jacobs of University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension. This meeting will be Tuesday evening, January 9, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Kennebec County Extension Office at 125 State Street in Augusta.

Those at the meeting will explore the possibility of training 4-H youth for a poultry team. States from all over the country send poultry teams to Louisville, KY each November to compete in the Avian Bowl, Poultry Judging, Chicken BBQ, Turkey BBQ, and Egg Preparation.

If you wish to attend or would like more details, contact Richard Brzozowski at (207)780-4207. Jacob offers tools to help get a poultry competitive team started, but there is no obligation if you attend.


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Internet Ticket Purchases for New "Charlotte's Web" Movie to Support UMaine 4-H

ORONO, ME—Staff members of University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s 4-H youth development program were excited to learn that their program will receive proceeds from ticket sales for the new movie, “Charlotte’s Web.” Paramount Pictures and Walden Media have agreed to donate one dollar of every ticket sale to the purchaser’s state 4-H program---provided that the tickets are purchased through the national 4-H Web site at www.fourhcouncil.edu.

"Charlotte’s Web," based on the beloved children’s book by E.B. White, features a young 4-H member who lives on a Maine farm. The movie displays the 4-H clover several times, and embodies the 4-H values of dedication, friendship, and loyalty.
“We are very excited about this partnership,” said Fred Schlutt, executive director of the Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation and UMaine Extension’s resource development officer. “This is a great opportunity to see a classic tale brought to life on the movie screen while supporting a worthy program. It is also great advertising for 4-H, as Fern’s hard work and dedication to Wilbur shows exactly the type of qualities we promote in 4-H. Whether they are raising a pig, designing a Web site, or participating in community service, 4-H'ers always give their best effort.”

4-H is University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s youth development program. The Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization that provides financial and organizational support to 4-H clubs throughout Maine. For more information you may visit www.umext.maine.edu.

Contact: Mary Dinsmore, Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation,
P (207) 581-3327, F (207) 581-1387, mdinsmore@umext.maine.edu

Ludlow UMaine Cooperative Extension Nutrition Aide Honored

HOULTON, ME—Jolynn Stevens, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension Nutrition Aide from Ludlow, was honored recently at the National Extension Association for Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) 2006 annual session. Stevens provides nutrition education for families in southern Aroostook County as part of UMaine Extension's Eat Well Program. She received the Eastern Region Para-Professional Award at the annual NEAFCS conference in Denver, Colorado.

The Para-Professional Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments of para-professionals in Extension Family and Consumer Sciences for the use of imaginative and effective methods to reach special audiences, including youth. Stevens received this award for her work in promoting behavior change in elementary school children and helping the school win a state nutrition award. Stevens also provides nutrition education and cooking classes to home-bound individuals through a home visitation program.

UMaine Extension Nutrition Professional Lisa Fishman, Stevens' sponsoring NEAFCS member, remarked that “Jolynn’s collaboration with community agencies has resulted in innovative and successful programming.”

Eat Well is a statewide program of University of Maine Cooperative Extension funded in part by USDA’s Food Stamp Program. Extension staff help Eat Well program participants incorporate healthy eating habits and physical activity into their lifestyles. Eat Well Nutrition Programs are confidential and free to eligible individuals. Contact your county UMaine Extension office or call 800-287-0274 for more information.



Contact: Jolynn Stevens, 207-532-0506, jstevens@umext.maine.edu


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