2015 Maine Agricultural Trades Show starts January 13

Event to be held at Augusta Civic Centre

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

Agriculture producers, consumers, visitors and anyone with an interest in Maine’s agricultural community can attend the 74^th Maine Agricultural Trades Show, taking place January 13-15 at the Augusta Civic Centre.

Since its inception in 1941, the show gives attendees a wide array of exhibitors, meetings, seminars, activities and events to explore and enjoy.

Included in the events available are courses by the Cooperative Extension & Board of Pesticide Control. The hour-long training sessions can be used by licensed pesticide applicators as credits towards recertification.

There will also be speakers from the Maine Milk Commission, education sessions from the Maine State Florists and Growers Association, the Maine Vegetable & Small Fruit Growers Association, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

With potatoes being Maine’s primary vegetable with over $164 million in production in 2013, there will be programs dedicated to the beloved spud.

Jim Dwyer of the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension (UMCE) will do a presentation on potato pest management on January 13 and January 15 will see Andy Wilbur from Wilburs of Maine making Needhams, a staple in the Maine candy conversation.

Needhams are chocolate-coated coconut candy treats using mashed potatoes.