Agricultural Workforce Development Programs in Maine

This course is an introduction to sustainable sugarbush management, maple trees, and tapping practices. It covers maple physiology, regeneration, and stressors, including insects and diseases, as well as climate data and the potential impacts of climate change on sugarbushes. It will also discuss best practices in tapping and the impact that technology has had on the industry over the past half-century. Topics: Maple Tree Biology Science of Sap Flow and Tapping Tree Stress and Health: Biotic (insects, fungi, diseases) and abiotic (weather, soil, human-caused) stressors Climate Effects on Sugarbushes Using Climate Data for Decision Industry Trends and Challenges. Completion of the course offers 9 CFE-credits of Category 1 (Society of American Foresters).

Built by UMaine Cooperative Extension, this short course blends approachable science with field-tested tips you can use right away in gardens, greenhouses, or production settings. If you want a clear, practical foundation in plant diagnostics, so you can tell normal variation from true problems and determine the issue the plant has, you’re in the right place. In about 6-8 hours, you’ll learn how to read plant symptoms, tell abiotic from biotic issues, and work through a simple five-step diagnostic process that leads to confident next steps. You will also know when to sample or lab-test and where to find trusted, science-based resources. In Maine, you'll also earn 6 pesticide applicator recertification credits!

Lead with confidence and make a lasting impact with the Introductory Volunteer Management Program from Volunteer Maine/Maine Commission for Community Service and UMaine Extension! This self-paced program is perfect for anyone who coordinates, supervises, or engages with volunteers. You’ll learn the essentials of volunteer management, including: Recruiting and retaining motivated volunteers. Effective communication and leadership strategies. Best practices for organizing and supporting volunteer teams. By completing this course, you’ll not only gain valuable skills but also earn the Volunteer Management Micro-Credential. This badge showcases your expertise in volunteer coordination and leadership, making it a valuable asset for your resume, LinkedIn profile, or professional portfolio. Whether you’re new to managing volunteers or looking to strengthen your skills, this program provides the foundation you need to inspire and lead successful teams.

Through approachable learning activities, this badge gives you a real-world, no-fluff look at what it actually takes to buy and take over a business successfully. By the end of this minicourse, you will be better able to identify and articulate your “why” – the driving force behind your search to acquire an entrepreneurial venture, which frames the search process and the aspects you’ll want to evaluate in potential acquisitions. You will also develop a better understanding of how that search process typically unfolds, including elements like business valuation, conducting due diligence as a buyer, financing the purchase, and the types of documents needed to prepare for a purchase. Those who earn the Foundations badge can also enroll in a BuyME Advanced workshop, where they can apply their skills to create a business acquisition plan, receiving additional training and support from University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Maine Business School experts.

If you want to strengthen your business and prepare for the unexpected quickly and effectively, you’re in the right place! In just under two hours, you’ll explore the key principles of business resilience through engaging lessons, practical tools, and real-world strategies. From crisis management to operational systems and financial preparedness, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to bounce back stronger from disruptions and adapt to change with clarity and purpose. Whether you’re launching a new venture or leading a long-standing enterprise, this course offers immediately applicable insights to keep your business agile, sustainable, and ready for whatever comes next.

Welcome to Finances in a Flash! If you want to take control of your business finances quickly and easily, you’re in the right place! This interactive and practical course, offered by the Maine Business School and UMaine Extension, provides essential financial management knowledge designed for busy professionals. In just two hours, you’ll gain a solid foundation in small business financial management through engaging lessons, fun videos, and interactive activities. We’ll cover key topics like creating a solid budget, understanding your cash flow, building an emergency fund, and the importance of financial statements—giving you the tools and confidence to make smarter, more informed decisions. Whether just getting started or fine-tuning your skills, this course makes financial management easy, actionable, and immediately applicable to strengthen your business.

Marketing in a Flash: Core Concepts for Small Businesses Boost your business’s reach and impact with our concise, high-value training. Designed specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs, “Marketing in a Flash” equips you with the foundational marketing strategies needed to connect with your audience and drive growth. In this intensive session, you will gain the skills to build a marketing plan from the ground up: Customer Personas: Identify and deeply understand your target audience. The 4 Ps of Marketing: Master the core components of Product, Price, Place, and Promotion, and learn how to optimize each for your specific business. Adaptable Strategies: Learn how to pivot and adjust your marketing approach using the 4 Ps framework when market conditions change. Tracking Success: Discover how to effectively use Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and marketing metrics to evaluate whether your strategies are working.

Drive innovation for greater business resilience and sustainability. You will: Learn & apply key tools and concepts for innovation and building a sustainable approach for your business; Map your current business model and identified opportunities for its sustainable re-design and adaptation; Discover prioritize, & craft an implementation plan to pursue opportunities that impact people, planet, and profit. Level 1: build a foundation for sustainable innovation in your business - sustainability, business modelling, and innovation concepts. Level 2: work side-by-side with program instructors & peer organizations to develop a new sustainable roadmap for your organization. Level 3: work with coaching support to guide development on an implementation strategy for sustainable change in your business or organization, helping you troubleshoot plan development, and creating a pitch for sustainable change within your organization for stakeholders.

Discover the art of butchery at the Maine Meat Cutting School! Whether you’re a meat cutter, a culinary enthusiast, or a seasoned professional looking to sharpen your skills, our comprehensive courses offer hands-on training from experienced instructors.

Flexible online learning plus a hands-on apprenticeship experience make this course ideal for those starting a horticulture career, enhancing existing skills, or launching their own business. You will learn: Introduction to the Industry and Food Security Foundations of Horticulture: Ecology, Botany, Propagation, Soils, Composting Food Production: Vegetable Gardening, Garden Maintenance, Food Safety, Small and Tree Fruits Garden Pests and Diseases: Prevention, Identification and Management Maine Landscape and Design: Plant Selection, Design, and Maintenance Experience a 200-hour apprenticeship that offers hands-on industry experience. Participants will be responsible for finding their own apprenticeship, with guidance and assistance from training staff.

Aquaculture, the farming of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants, is one of the fastest-growing food production sectors in the world and an important part of Maine’s coastal economy. This introductory course explores the fundamentals of aquaculture, including how aquatic species are cultivated, why aquaculture is important for global food systems, and the different technologies and practices used in modern production. Through short lessons, real-world examples, and a virtual field trip, you’ll gain a foundational understanding of aquaculture and the opportunities it creates for sustainable seafood production, innovation, and careers. Whether you are curious about seafood production, considering a career in aquaculture, or interested in how farmed seafood reaches your plate, this course provides an accessible introduction to the field. This program, upon successful completion, qualifies the learner for level 1 of the Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Micro-Credential.

Gain essential food safety and sanitation knowledge with our UMaine Food Processing Sanitation micro-credential pathway! Currently available online is Level 1, Food Sanitation Basics, a self-paced program that covers key topics, including: - Introduction to Food Safety - Basic Microbiology - Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) - Choosing Cleaners and Sanitizers, and - Pest Management This course equips you with the knowledge and skills to meet workforce needs and excel in this vital field.

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Advance your foodservice or cottage food career with UMaine’s food safety trainings, including ServSafe® certification and specialized courses for producers and processors.

The UMaine Pasture Management Course is a free, self-paced online training that teaches livestock producers how to improve grazing systems, forage quality, and pasture productivity. It’s ideal for farmers looking to reduce feed costs and boost sustainability through better land management.

Gain conflict resolution skills through USDA-supported mediation training - ideal for agricultural professionals, service providers, and community members seeking to manage disputes effectively.