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 [email protected] 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).

In this episode of the Maine Farmcast, Colt Knight welcomes Ashley Wright from the University of Arizona to explore the exciting potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for modern livestock producers. Are you a farmer overwhelmed by paperwork, grant applications, or the constant demands of social media marketing? AI might be the solution you've been waiting for.

Ashley shares practical, actionable strategies for using AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline essential farm tasks. Learn how to efficiently draft compelling grant proposals by uploading RFPs and collaborating with AI to fill in gaps, refine language, and ensure all requirements are met. Discover how AI can revolutionize your marketing efforts, generating engaging social media content, eye-catching flyers, and even identifying trending topics to boost your online presence.

Beyond grant writing and marketing, Colt and Ashley delve into how AI can simplify record-keeping, analyze calendar data for valuable insights, and even help you craft professional emails when dealing with sensitive communications. They emphasize the importance of "garbage in, garbage out" and provide tips for effectively communicating with AI to get the best results. While cautioning against relying on AI for generating data or citations without verification, they highlight its power to summarize information, identify trends, and free up valuable time for farmers to focus on their animals and customers. Tune in to discover how AI can help you work smarter, not harder, and unlock new levels of efficiency on your farm.

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 lively and informative episode of the Maine Farmcast, host Dr. Colt Knight sits down with his colleague and friend Mari Glatter, an instructional designer with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Mari shares her behind-the-scenes role in turning expert knowledge into engaging, accessible online learning experiences for the public. The two discuss the growing library of micro-credential courses covering everything from pollinator gardening and business planning to aquaculture and food safety. They explore the power of digital education in reaching new audiences, like aspiring backyard chicken keepers, and the importance of fun, accessible content rooted in solid learning theory. Sprinkled with laughs, music, barbecue stories, and even a pig joke, this episode is a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and the future of agricultural education in Maine.

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 Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with John Porter, Extension professor emeritus at the University of New Hampshire. John has been an extension professor for over 52 years and has a wealth of knowledge in dairy topics, especially in on farm construction. During this conversation we discuss things to consider when transitioning from a tie stall barn into a free stall barn. John is also an independent dairy consultant.

• Contact John Porter at [email protected]

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 Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, has a conversation with Dr. Lily Calderwood, UMaine Extension Wild Blueberry Specialist and Associate Professor of Horticulture. During this conversation we talk about the history of wild blueberries in Maine, Lily’s research and how to grow and tend your own wild blueberries at home. 

• Growing Wild Blueberries at Home
  https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2073e/
• Learn more about Dr. Lily Calderwood:
  https://extension.umaine.edu/blueberries/
• Contact Dr. Calderwood: [email protected]

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).