Tuesday, June 28, 2011

DATT upcoming events

The Abbott Memorial Library and DDATT are co-sponsoring a workshop on “Weeds and Pests” Thursday, July 14 from 6-8:30pm at the Abbott Memorial Library meeting room, Dexter.

Jason Kafka of Checkerberry Farm in Parkman will have some samples of weeds (participants may bring theirs also!), pictures, and resources for identification purposes. He’ll cover pest “basics”, offer organic solutions, and suggest deterrents. The workshop is free, but limited seating requires pre-registration by contacting the Library 924-7292 or DDATT


dexterareatransition@gmail.com

Reminder – “Highbush Blueberry” workshop Thursday, June 30 6-8:30pm at the Abbott Memorial Library meeting room, Dexter. Please use the above contact information to register.

“Growing Connections – Planting Seeds for Healthy Eating”

Piscataquis County - Now that summer is upon us, you may have noticed an increase in garden activity in your community. Thanks to a project “Growing Connections – Planting Seeds for Healthy Eating” sponsored through the Piscataquis Public Health Council (PPHC), you are seeing efforts of area schools, farmers and community groups.


Two area schools are working with PPHC under a SNAP-Ed Grant which funds programs that support nutrition education. Participating schools are the Morison Memorial School 4th grade in Corinth and the Milo Elementary 4th grade and SAD#41 in Milo. School projects are working on promoting more fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy eating behaviors and physical activity. Students have been involved in fun hands on learning activities using raised bed gardens during after school and summer programs. Teachers tell us the kids are having a lot of fun and hope to see the programs grow to reach more grade levels beyond the present 4th grades. Thank you, to the Milo and Corinth communities for their generous support in donations of garden materials.

SAD#41 sponsored a Nutrition & Activity Expo on June 4th which was open to the public. This was a fun morning of colorful interactive learning displays, taste testing, fruit/yogurt smoothies, walking, hoola hoop and wall climbing activities. It was full of fun things for students and parents alike. Another one is already being planned for March 2012.

This coming October, watch for FoodPlay nutrition theatre coming to a school in your community. Additional information will be available in the fall.

The PPHC SNAP-Ed Grant is funded by the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – SNAP. The Supplemental Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To find out more, contact your local town office or go online to www.fns.usda.gov/snap.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Interior of Fossa General Store expected to begin next month

This story is in the Bangor Daily News and written by Diana Bowley, BDN Staff:  DEXTER, Maine — Work will soon begin on the interior of the Fossa General Store in Dexter, where local produce will be showcased and sold.
The Dexter Regional Development Corp., which received a $140,000 Community Development Block Grant for the interior work, will act as its own general contractor and will
solicit bids for the materials, as well as the electrical and plumbing jobs, by July.
The store will sell farm produce and products produced in the Dexter region in an effort to promote local purchases and help local farmers. The store also will have a commercial kitchen. The latter will be funded through a $40,000 USDA grant.
The exterior work on the building and the installation of a deck has been completed and was funded through another CDBG grant.
The latest grant will cover only the first floor of the building, so corporation members are sponsoring a raffle of two sides of locally grown, certified organic grass-fed beef donated by Sherburne Farms in Dexter and a chicken coop donated and built by Dan and Moira McGarry of Abbot,  to help fund the renovation to the second floor, which will serve as an office and conference room. The drawing will be held at 3 p.m. July 24 on the new deck.
For more information, call Judy Craig, coordinator of the Dexter Community Farm Project, at 924-3067.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Growing Local Food Workshop: Highbush Blueberries

WHEN:  June 30 Thursday 6-8:30pm
WHERE:  Abbott Memorial Llibrary Meeting Room, Dexter
WHAT:  Presenter: Ray M. from the A.E.M. Berry Farm and Garden Center in Palmyra
Ray has over 30 years of experience growing berries and will share his successes, disappointments, and of course the basics: location, transplanting, recommended varieties, etc. (Actually, he grows many other berries, some I've never heard of, but we're concentrating on blueberries this workshop.)

Sponsored by the Abbott Memorial Library and DDATT

The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required (do to limited seating). Contact the Library 924-7292 or DDATT dexterareatransition@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Local Beef Raffle and Chicken Coop Raffle


DEXTER – The Dexter Community Farm Project is pleased to announce 2 “fund raiser raffles” taking place now through July 24th. The Fund Raiser(s) are raising money for the Fossa General Store office space and other projects not covered by CDBG Grant money received.


The Beef Raffle is (2) sides of locally grown, Certified Organic Grass Fed Beef donated by Sherburne Farms in Dexter. Tickets are $3 each or 2 for $5, so if you don’t win with your 1st ticket, you could win with your 2nd ticket. OR you might win both sides!

The beef will be all packaged and ready for local pickup after the drawing on the 24th.

The second raffle, to be drawn off on the same day is a Chicken Coop Raffle donated & built by Dan Dan and Moira McGarry of Alder Brook Acres farm in Abbot. It comes complete with and 2 bags of shavings from Bob’s Hardware in Dover-Foxcroft, a feeder & waterer from Paris Farm in Newport and a bag of chicken mash from Dover Agway. Tickets are $3 each or 2 for $5 for this complete package with local pickup and possible delivery.

On Sunday, July 24th at 3 PM we will be holding the raffles on the new native white cedar deck and be conducting tours of the future Fossa General Store and possible entertainment.

To purchase tickets, stop by Abbott Memorial Library where Liz has tickets available during Library hours, Dave at the Town Office, Farm Project members, or call Judy Wilbur Craig at 924.3067 for more information.

The Dexter Community Farm Project is a project of the Dexter Regional Development Corporation and meets the 1st Tuesday of every month. Visit www.DexterFarmProject.com for more information.