Tuesday, January 19 to Saturday, January 23
AUGUSTA – The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s (DACF) 2021 Maine Agricultural Trades Show Online is scheduled for Tuesday to Saturday, January 19-23, 2021. The five-day all-online ATS features a mixture of agricultural and forestry presentations, discussion, and networking opportunities. All ATS events are free and open to the public. All programming will be live-streamed on the Whova Event App and the DACF’s YouTube channel and Facebook Page. Registration is encouraged but not required. Attendees who register can access exclusive offers from ATS exhibitors, including producer associations, membership groups, boards, and commissions. After the event, all programming will be viewable on the Whova App, and the Department’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
Agricultural Trades Show Online
2021 Agenda
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19
8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Hemp Program Update
Speaker: Mary Yurlina
10:45 AM-12:00 PM
Innovation in the Face of Crisis – Harnessing Local Demand Due to COVID-19
Speakers: Nancy McBrady, Amber Lambke, Hannah Semler, Scott Longfellow, Kelby Young
12:15 PM-1:15 PM
Commissioner’s Brown Bag Luncheon
Speaker: Amanda Beal, MDACF Commissioner
2:00 PM-3:00 PM
Remote Learning about Agriculture – Resources for students in grades PK – 12
Speakers: Willie Grenier, Kelsey Fortin
3:15 PM-4:15 PM
Selling More Maine Foods
Speakers: Tanya Swain, Christine Cummings
4:00 PM-5:30 PM
Make a Maine Cheese Board!
Speaker: Annie Lampe
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20
8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Funding Agriculture Projects – Making Sense of the Funding Landscape
Speakers: Daniel Wallace, Ethan Robertson, Steve Veazey
11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Balancing Risks and Benefits of Pest Management in Residential Landscapes
Speakers: Gary Fish, Pam Bryer
12:15 PM-1:15 PM
Insights, Infrastructure, & Strategic Investment: Bureau of Ag Priorities for 2021
Speakers: Nancy McBrady, Claire Eaton
1:00 PM-5:00 PM
Maine Small Fruit and Vegetable Grower Winter Sessions **Fee for materials and access
Speakers: David Handley, Lisa Turner, George Hamilton, Paul Peters, Brian McCleary, Randy Drown, Jen Bailey, Dr. Meg McGrath, Tomi Chipman Ricker, Tom Stevenson, Penelope Jordan, Christina Howard
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21
8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Harmonized GAP Audit Highlights and News
Speaker: Leah Cook
9:45 AM-10:45 AM
FSMA Produce Pathogens and Practical Controls
Speaker: Leah Cook
11:00 AM-12:45 PM
2020 Drought Review and Preparing for the Future
Speakers: Tom Gordon, Jason Lilley, John Jemison, Sean Birkel, Rachel Schattman
1:00 PM-3:00 PM
Pivoting During the Pandemic – How Food and Beverage Businesses Creatively Thrived in 2020
Speakers: Beth Calder, Jim McConnon, Louis V. Bassano, Ph.D., Jessie Dowling, Jon Stein, Lee Worcester, Olivia Barber
3:15 PM-4:15 PM
Maine Center for Entrepreneurs – Creating Sell Sheets and Sales Presentations for Retail Buyers
Speakers: Sue Hanson, Janine Cary, Ben Rhein, Kim Kuusela, Amber Lambke, Patrick Carroll
FRIDAY, JANUARY 22
8:30 AM-9:30 AM
Beyond the Field Edge
Speakers: Andy Shultz, Julie Davenport, Jim Ferrante
9:45 AM-10:45 AM
A Walk in the Woods: Winter Tree Pest and Disease Scouting and Management Activities for Landowners
Speaker: Mike Parisio
11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Protecting Your Farmland Timber Assets
Speakers: Robert Gross, Mark Rousseau
12:15 PM-1:15 PM
Maine Solar Development and Agriculture – Opportunities and Impacts
Speakers: Tom Gordon, Nancy McBrady, Ellen Stern Griswold, Holly Noyes, Dan Burgess
1:00 PM-2:00 PM
Investigating Market Opportunities for Maine Dairy Operations
Speakers: Sarah Littlefield, Raymond Bernier, Dylan Bouchard, Shae Horrigan
2:15 PM-3:15 PM
Food Trends – National and Local impacts (post-COVID)
Speakers: Christine Cummings, Kim Kuusela, Elise Kern, Richard Bilodeau
3:30 PM-4:30 PM
COVID-19 and the Maine Food System
Speaker: Jonathan Malacarne
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23
9:00 AM-10:00 AM
About Maine Cheese ~ Maine Cheese Guild
Speaker: Holly Aker
10:15 AM-11:15 AM
Findings About Forward Contracts and Maine Farms
Speaker: Jedediah L Beach
11:30 AM-12:30 PM
4-H for Young Adults
Speaker: Alisha Targonski
About the Maine Agricultural Trades Show
A tradition since 1941, DACF’s Maine Agricultural Trades Show is where the state’s agricultural community typically convenes to celebrate farming, network, and plan for the coming season. Organized and hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the show provides access to resources that empower farmers and rural communities. Dozens of exhibitors and conference sessions are part of this show, attracting agricultural producers, educators, exhibitors, businesses, and others to celebrate farming, exchange best practices, and explore farming products, equipment, and services. The 2021 show will be held virtually. DACF anticipates returning to an in-person format in 2022. Learn more on the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources webpages.
