This document summarizes a program that was designed to provide knowledge and skills to current and prospective farmers in Maine. Sixty-three farmers and potential farmers participated across three sites connected by videoconferencing technology. Participants completed a survey and gained knowledge on topics like enterprise selection, business planning, regulations, and marketing. Participants reported increased understanding of farming and confidence in their ability to succeed from applying what they learned. The technology allowed for a broader sharing of experiences among participants located across different sites.

1. So, You Want to Farm in Maine?
Kathryn M. Hopkins1, Donna R. Coffin2, Andrew B. Plant3
1University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Extension Educator, Somerset County, 7 County Drive, Skowhegan, ME 04976-4209
2University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Extension Educator, Piscataquis County, 165 East Main Street, Dover-Foxcroft, ME 04426-1396
3University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Extension Educator, Aroostook County PO Box 8 Houlton, ME 04730-0008
Abstract
This course was designed for current farmers and those who are interested in starting a farm. There is an increasing interest in local foods and agriculture and an increasing interest in younger people thinking about choosing farming as a career. The purpose was to equip
participants with knowledge and skills to start, adapt and maintain a profitable land-based business. This multi-session course was offered on five Thursday evenings in March and April at three sites using Tandberg Movi™ videoconferencing software to connect the sites.
Participants completed a New Farmer Enterprise Survey before the first session. A flyer was mailed to interested people in four counties and picked up by approximately 100 people at the annual Maine Ag Trade Show in January. As a result, sixty-three farmers and potential
farmers enrolled in this program at the three interconnected sites. This use of technology resulted in less stress on speakers and a broader range of experiences shared among class participants.
Program Results
Project Goals
Percent of Participants with Gains in Knowledge & Understanding
Current farmers thinking about changing farm enterprises Sixty-three participants representing part-time farmers,
and new farmers interested in starting a farm lack the skill, full-time farmers and those not yet actively farming
knowledge and confidence to investigate their options to start, F7B0<E<:10$G0/0=567$ **#$
attended to learn about agricultural enterprise selection,
adapt and maintain a profitable land-based business. Major -0=6<DA00E:73$ ()#$
business planning, record keeping, market research,
issues farmers and potential farmers need to overcome @4<A0B$-0104<=C$ &&#$
regulations and resource identification. Participant
include: access to capital, understanding of rules and >.1:7011$?/47$ &'#$
applied the knowledge they gained to make immediate
regulations affecting agriculture operations, and marketing 894:/4;/0$-016.<=01$ "%#$
changes and plan to make further changes in the future
options. To enhance the business management knowledge, -./01$2$-03./45671$ !"#$
skills and confidence of new and established farmers, +#$ )+#$ ,+#$ *+#$ (+#$ &+#$ "+#$ !+#$ %+#$
Extension conducted farm business management trainings Comments from course participants:
reaching participants in five counties in Maine.
Before this workshop, I felt I would succeed in farming, but through trial and error, now
Participants Ratings for the MOVI™ Technology Used to Link the Sites
I feel I will succeed based on my new knowledge of farming. M. S.
“[Movi technology] “Great, It made attendance at this program possible for me.” J. K.
H=#6==?#3#?=BE0#.F.-#>;.#/6/8B# ''"#
[Website] “I shared the information with other farmers”, “Interesting to see what
Methods 12#3#/#4.5#67809:.;<#D>0#?=.;BE0#.F.-C#
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others have done with farms and businesses” C. G.
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A four-pronged approach was implemented. 0:8;#0.9:B=7=6C#/6/8B#
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Summary
1. A Website with links to reliable farming information. Major ,-./0# !"#
headings include: Calendar, Farm use of the computer,
!"# '!"# &!"# (!"# )!"# *!"# $!"# +!"# %!"# To enhance the business management knowledge, skills and
Livestock 101, Resources: crops, livestock, books. confidence of new and established farmers, Extension educators
http://farmininmaine.wordpress.com conducted farm business management trainings reaching
participants in five of the 16 counties in Maine. Sixty-three
2. Five-session series for three sites linked with the Tandberg As a Result of This Workshop, What Practices Have You or Do You Plan to Implement? participants representing part and full-time farmers and those not
Movi™ software. in farming attended to learn about agricultural enterprise selection,
I@20.8D$848$ ,48$.5$.$2057@1$-=$1;0$:-2C5;-3$ J4@@$8-$4/$1;0$=71720$ K-1$L720$
business planning, record keeping, market research, regulations
3. Individual business consultations with UMaine Extension GH3./8$-2$0/;./<0$>.2C015$ (#$ "'#$ *"#$
and resource identification. The companion website,
small business specialist. )#$
farmininmaine.wordpress.com, has been accessed 781 times. A
E20.10$.$6754/055$3@./$ (#$ %(#$ '%#$ )#$
follow-up survey will be conducted six months after the training to
4. Follow-up, post season review meetings scheduled to assess assess activities the participants accomplished as a result of the
progress and to continue networking opportunities. E20.10$.$>.2C0F/9$3@./$ (#$ !+#$ '%#$ !%#$
trainings.
Because of the success of using Tandberg Movi™ to connect
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sites, two counties have decided to offer a Master Gardener
training in underserved locations that traditionally have not had
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access to the program. Creating a critical mass through
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technology expands opportunities for the underserved and makes
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the most efficient use of reduced staffing in Extension.
The authors gratefully acknowledge the valuable assistance provided by the Farm Service Agency and the
Risk Management Agency and local farm enterprises.