Maine Farm Days Again Successful At Misty Meadow Farm
By Chad Arms, Aug. 25, 2008
The rain held off during daytime, but recent rainy weather curtailed field activities for equipment at Maine Farm Days August 15–16. However, the many vendors and a variety of educational activities including a Conservation Wagon Tour, Children’s Learning Center, Pesticide Credit Workshops, and a speaker program catered to the farm and non farm community as well. The weekend event was held at the Misty Meadows Farm in Clinton owned and operated by Belinda and John Stoughton. It was a great chance to witness agricultural technology on a progressive dairy farm, learn about farming by the general public, and interact with friends, farm vendors, and agricultural agencies.
Wagons were running continuously for the popular Conservation Wagon Tour revised this year showing off the farm facilities helping the Stoughton family earn the 2006 Maine Dairy Farm Family of the Year Award. Sponsored by the Kennebec Soil and Water Conservation District, NRCS, and Maine Antique Tractors, this educational tour draws a lot of interest.
The Children’s Learning Center with farm animals to pet and “hands on” learning exhibits continues as a main attraction for the whole family to visit. Activities included the milking contest for youngsters to try their hand filling up a cup. The Corn maze also drew interest by youth.
There were several presentations each day for the speaker schedule on farm diversification, chainsaw and forestry practices, energy efficiency practices, and even a Dairy Princess short presentation by contestants for the first portion of the Maine Dairy Princess Pageant.
Those needing pesticide re-certification credits had a choice of four one hour credit workshops on Friday only conducted by Extension and the Maine Board of Pesticides Control staff.
There were 85 entrants for the Forage Contest. Winners were announced by Al Fortin, Feed Commodities International, Inc. representative, Detroit, ME as follows: Dry Hay – 1st Andy Seavey, 2nd James Davis, and 3rd Waterman Farm; Haylage – 1st Aghaloma Farm, 2nd Circle K Dairy, and 3rd Charles Hall; Balage – 1st Conant Acres, 2nd Peter Zacharias, and 3rd John Donald; and Corn Silage – 1st Alfred McNear, 2nd Flood Brothers, and 3rd Conant Acres. Grand Champion was Conant Acres’ balage sample. All first place winners received a plaque and a $100 prize.
A host of vendors and agency people at the exhibit area showed off new technology and equipment, recommended environmental and production practices, crafts, and many other services of interest to farmers. Rounding out the event were crop trials, a Young Farmer’s Tractor Rodeo, forestry activities, and food concessions.
The chief sponsor for Maine Farm days is Farm Days Inc. Fran Hale of Windsor is indispensable as secretary/treasurer and exhibit chair over the years. And were it not for the many other volunteers of Farm Days Inc., the host farm family, and cooperating agencies and dealers, this leading exhibition on a working dairy farm would not be possible. Next year’s event is scheduled for the Barker Farm in Leeds.
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