In this lively and informative episode of the Maine Farmcast, host Dr. Colt Knight sits down with his colleague and friend Mari Glatter, an instructional designer with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Mari shares her behind-the-scenes role in turning expert knowledge into engaging, accessible online learning experiences for the public. The two discuss the growing library of micro-credential courses covering everything from pollinator gardening and business planning to aquaculture and food safety. They explore the power of digital education in reaching new audiences, like aspiring backyard chicken keepers, and the importance of fun, accessible content rooted in solid learning theory. Sprinkled with laughs, music, barbecue stories, and even a pig joke, this episode is a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and the future of agricultural education in Maine.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with John Porter, Extension professor emeritus at the University of New Hampshire. John has been an extension professor for over 52 years and has a wealth of knowledge in dairy topics, especially in on farm construction. During this conversation we discuss things to consider when transitioning from a tie stall barn into a free stall barn. John is also an independent dairy consultant.

• Contact John Porter at john.porter@unh.edu

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Lily Calderwood, UMaine Extension Wild Blueberry Specialist and Associate Professor of Horticulture. During this conversation we talk about the history of wild blueberries in Maine, Lily’s research and how to grow and tend your own wild blueberries at home.

• Growing Wild Blueberries at Home
  https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2073e/
• Learn more about Dr. Lily Calderwood:
  https://extension.umaine.edu/blueberries/
• Contact Dr. Calderwood: lily.calderwood@maine.edu

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Drs. Glenda Pereira and Colt Knight sit down with Dr. Gary Anderson, Animal and BioSciences Specialist Emeritus, University of Maine. The conversation reviews milk quality guidelines and cleanliness after milking and to review in the milk room. Dr. Anderson was a professor at the University of Maine, and served in the role of dairy specialist working on programs such as milk quality and sanitation, estate planning, Green Pastures program and more. Dr. Anderson continues to be a resource for the dairy and livestock industries in Maine. In his free time, Anderson stays active with his grandkids.

Important: Please work with your veterinarian to develop health management plans, and discuss protocols for maintaining milk quality.

• View the factsheet “Guidelines for Improving Milk Quality by UMaine/UNH”
  https://extension.unh.edu/resource/guidelines-improving-milk-quality-fact-sheet

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt Knight dives into the fascinating world of zebrafish research with Mark Nilan, who manages the University of Maine’s animal care facility, and student lab assistant Megan Joynt. They chat about why zebrafish are such great research models, from their genetic similarities to humans and transparent embryos to their rapid development, and introduce the special “Abby” line used for its controlled genetics. They also share details about current projects looking at Candida infections, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and the flu virus, and Megan talks about her capstone project studying fish fecundity at different ages.

The conversation touches on the zebrafish lab’s move to a new state-of-the-art facility with better climate control, which will boost research quality and create more opportunities for collaboration and grants. Mark and Megan reflect on their own unexpected but rewarding paths into aquaculture and research, offering insight into the many career options in marine science. They also discuss how animal research is strictly regulated, the lab’s commitment to transparency through public tours, and broader topics like zebrafish in regenerative medicine and GMOs in agriculture and aquaculture. It’s a great listen about how a tiny fish is making a big impact on science, health, and education at UMaine.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt Knight welcomes back Dr. Dean Fish, a seasoned livestock expert from Arizona, for a deep dive into the art and value of livestock judging. Recorded during Dr. Fish’s visit to Maine to help lead a youth livestock judging clinic, this engaging conversation explores the foundational skills of evaluating market and breeding animals, the practical and philosophical aspects of animal welfare, and the evolving role of genetics in modern beef production. Together, they highlight how livestock judging teaches critical thinking, decision-making, and communication skills. These traits that not only benefit young people in agriculture, but also shape them into strong, capable leaders for the future.

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira records the podcast episode from the Azores. Glenda talked with Helder Ponte who is a dairy farmer in Sao Miguel, Azores about precision technologies, specifically, wearable technologies and how farmers are using these to improve management. In addition to being a dairy farmer, Ponte provides technical service to Azorean dairy farmers for technologies and equipment, and is a professional cattle show fitter.

• Want to learn about dairy cow time budgets?
  https://wdmc.org/2009/Stocking%20Density%20&%20Time%20Budgets.pdf
• Want to learn about the dairy farm I visited in the Azores?
  https://www.italianos.pt/?modulo=agropecuaria

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt W. Knight is once again joined by friend of the podcast, Dr. Gregg Rentfrow of the University of Kentucky, to discuss a program he helped launch in Kentucky, Cook Wild Kentucky. I really like this program, and I think that its principles could be tailored to market locally raised and sold livestock and farmstands here in Maine.

• Cook Wild Kentucky recipes

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).