ACS Conference Scholarships 2014

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Given the travel distance and current budget level, it’s unlikely that the Maine Cheese Guild will be offering ACS Scholarships in 2014, but the American Cheese Society also offers full and partial scholarships to their conference every year:

“If you’re a cheesemaker, retailer, student, or local chef, don’t miss your chance to apply for a 2014 ACS Conference Scholarship ! Recipients receive a free conference registration and may also receive a travel stipend and hotel accommodations in Sacramento, CA this summer. The application period for 2014 Conference Scholarships ends soon: submit your application by March 31 in order to be considered!

ACS 2014: Celebrating the American Cheese Plate will take place July 29-August 1, 2014 at the Sacramento Convention Center. More than 900 members of the American cheese community will gather for this 31st annual event. With a conference scholarship, you can join them for timely educational sessions and networking events…”

Maine’s Ag Community and the Affordable Care Act

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Do you need affordable health insurance? Free, in-person help is available! The Maine Migrant Health Program is a non-profit organization with over 20 years of experience providing health care to Maine’s migrant and seasonal farmworkers. If you own your own farm, need coverage for you and your family, are an employee who is looking for coverage, or a member of the general public, we are here to help members of Maine’s agricultural community get enrolled in a health insurance plan.

We have Certified Application Counselors across the state that are available to:

  • meet with you to provide information on the Affordable Care Act
  • explain the discounts that are available to low and moderate income individuals and families
  • assist you in applying for coverage
  • support you in choosing a health insurance plan.

Our services are free and available to the general public. Don’t delay! The deadline to enroll is March 31st 2014. Call today to schedule an appointment.

Please call Liz Charles at 207-441-1633 or Eduardo Cortes at 207-485-5553 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Oakhurst Sold to DFA Cooperative

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The Bennett family — for a long time the “First Family” of Maine Dairy, and well known for challenging Big Ag interests by insisting on labeling their milk as being produced without growth hormones — have now decided to transfer their company to Dairy Farmers of America, a cooperative processor. Oakhurst currently contracts with 70 Maine dairy farms for it’s milk. DFA is owned by roughly 8000 dairy farms across the continental US, and has purchased milk from many Maine dairy farms even before the Oakhurst acquisition. At this time DFA has indicated that the Oakhurst brand will be maintained in its New England sales region. The Bennett family members who have worked at the company were expected to stay on, and no employee reductions were anticipated elsewhere in the company.