On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with return guest Jason Lilley who is an Assistant Extension Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Maple Industry Educator at UMaine Extension. While Jason is based in Cumberland County he has statewide responsibilities to support maple producers. Today's topic is about the Maine Maple Industry and programs that Jason is leading to support maple producers. You can contact Jason at jason.lilley@maine.edu and 207-581-8368.

• Learn more about the Maple Syrup Production resource hub
• Learn more about Jason Lilley

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis 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, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with return guest Dr. Ankit Singh who is an Assistant Extension Professor of Sustainable Agriculture and Ornamental Horticulture at UMaine Extension. Dr. Singh is based in York County, and has statewide responsibilities for ornamental horticulture. Together, they discuss the upcoming Flowering in the North Conference. You can contact Dr. Singh at ankit.singh@maine.edu and 207-324-2814.

• 2026 Flowering in the North Conference, January 27-29, 2026 in Portland, Maine
• Learn more about Dr. Ankit Singh

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis 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, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Colt W. Knight, Associate Extension Professor and State Livestock Specialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, sits down with Niki Sargent, co-owner of Windham Butcher Shop and Southpaw Packing. While known for her leadership in Maine’s meat industry, Niki joins Colt to share a different mission, her work as founder of the Slicing Through the Stigma initiative. Partnering with NAMI Maine, the program provides awareness, resources, and support for farmers, meat industry professionals, veterinarians, and rural Mainers who are facing mental health challenges.

Together, they discuss the importance of breaking down stigma around mental health, the heavy toll of stressors like farm finances, grief, veterinary burnout, and rural isolation, and the practical steps individuals can take to seek help. Listeners will learn about resources such as 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Man Therapy, the Maine Crisis Line, and support pages hosted by Southpaw Packing. This candid conversation encourages open dialogue, emphasizes that it’s okay not to be okay, and highlights how community initiatives and small businesses can make a real difference in supporting farmer well-being.

• University of Maine Cooperative Extension – Programs, research, and resources for Maine’s farming community - https://extension.umaine.edu/
  • Cultivating Wellness - https://extension.umaine.edu/agriculture/maine-frsan/agricultural-resilience/
  • Maine Agrability - https://extension.umaine.edu/agrability/
• Southpaw Packing – USDA-inspected processing facility & Southpaw Meat Market in Raymond, ME - https://southpawpacking.com/
• Slicing Through the Stigma – Mental health initiative founded by Niki Sargent - https://southpawpacking.com/health-wellness/
• NAMI Maine – Mental health education, resources, and training - https://www.namimaine.org/
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress - Crisis - https://988lifeline.org/
• Man Therapy – Online mental health resource designed especially for men - https://mantherapy.org/
• Maine Crisis Line – 24/7 phone support for Mainers in crisis - https://heretohelpmaine.com/

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis 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, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, we have a crossover with the Northern New England Tri-State Dairy Team. This team is made up of dairy specialists from Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The mission of the Tri-State Dairy Team is to bring these states together to advance dairy management through collaborative educational programs, address shared industry challenges, and foster innovation across northern New England. This episode features a pre-recorded webinar on tips and tricks for applying to grants.

• https://www.uvm.edu/extension/nwcrops/conferences-and-events-0
• Watch the Tri-State Dairy Exchange: Navigating the Future of Dairy webinar here:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2PDOXuL99s

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis 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, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

On this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Professor for the University of Maine and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Sarah Allen and Carl Majewski from the University of New Hampshire. We discuss how the drought stress may impact forage production and inventory in the upcoming months and considerations for increasing forage inventories.

Contact Sarah https://extension.unh.edu/person/sarah-allen

Contact Carl https://extension.unh.edu/person/carl-majewski

Forage inventory resources

https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/forage/making-a-feed-inventory/

Learn about nitrate feeding strategies

https://njaes.rutgers.edu/E291/

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 Professor for the University of Maine and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Heather Donahue about the Maine Cheese Guild and the Maine Cheese Festival. Heather, along with her husband Doug, own and operate Balfour Farm in Pittsfield, Maine. The Maine Cheese Festival will be held at Manson Park, Pittsfield, Maine on Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Maine Cheese Guild
• Maine Cheese Festival

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 Professor for the University of Maine and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with return guest Jason Lilley who is an Assistant Extension Professor of Maine Sustainable Agriculture and Maple Industry Educator for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Jason is based in Cumberland County, and has statewide responsibilities for maple production. Today's topic is about cover crops and how we can use them to improve soil health.

Episode Resources

• Learn more about Jason Lilley and contact him at jason.lilley@maine.edu or 207-781-6099
• NECC Species Selector Tool

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 laugh-filled episode of the Maine Farmcast, host Dr. Colt Knight is once again joined by longtime collaborator and friend Dr. Gregg Rentfrow for a storytelling session unlike any other. From mistaken 911 calls while covered in blood to black bears with a taste for Twinkies, Colt and Gregg swap wild tales from their careers in extension and meat science. You'll hear about mysterious brains found in trash cans, SWAT teams storming university feedlots, near-death encounters with food-deprived bears, and the years-long journey of building a custom electric guitar from century-old piano wood. Equal parts humorous and heartfelt, this episode gives listeners a glimpse into the unpredictable and unforgettable life of agricultural extension professionals.

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).