CAMDEN — Employees of Kangas and Associates, of Camden, once again played Santa Claus to a local Lincolnville family. The company reached out in November to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine asking the agency to identify a local family they could adopt for the holidays.

Cathy Hardy, Development Director for BBBSMM, asked one of the agency’s school coordinators at the Lincolnville Central School to suggest a deserving family, which he did.

Hardy said in a news release: “When I spoke with the single mom, she told me there was just no money for Christmas this year. We asked her to provide a list of the children’s needs and wants, which we then gave to Kangas and Associates. Sue Butler and Pam Brodis coordinated the efforts of the company’s employees, who did the shopping and wrapped and tagged the presents which I picked up and delivered to the family before Christmas.

“The children were so excited as we unloaded several boxes of presents. This really made their Christmas brighter.”

This marks the third year Kangas and Associates has adopted a local family for the holidays. “Our employees really enjoy it and it gets us all in the holiday spirit,” said Eric Kangas in the news release. “It’s a way we can give back to the community and make Christmas happier for some local children.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters changes the lives of 560 children in Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Somerset and Waldo Counties facing adversity for the better, forever by providing strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships.

By partnering with parents, volunteers and organizations, children in the program have higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships, avoid risky behaviors and achieve educational success.

To learn more, go to www.bbbsmidmaine.org or call 236-BBBS (2227). 

Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber creates Facebook contests to promote members

ROCKLAND — In 2015, the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber will be running a Facebook contest every month to keep building online momentum in the new year. The online presence highlights events, promotions and other news that are valuable in the promotion of members to fans, visitors and community members — both locally and out of the region.

Like the page at www.facebook.com/PenobscotBayRegionalChamber.

In order to make these contests successful, the Chamber need prizes from members. These contests don't require large prizes — so something small like a $25 gift card or a set of event tickets are big enough prizes to keep fans engaged and coming back for more. The prizes will be combined each month for a large package prize.

Businesses that donate will receive several mentions, promotions and links on Facebook, the Chamber website, and in the Chamber email newsletter.

Chamber contests will follow along the themes below. Pick a month/theme that makes the most sense for the member’s business, or suggest a theme that might work better. Donate once or to them all.

If interested, email Maggi@penbaychamber.com with a note on 1.) what the business will donate, and when; and 2.) Other ideas.

January: "Have a Healthy New Year" (Health and Wellness, news year resolutions etc)

February: "Love is in the Air" (Valentine's Day; Lodging, dining, activities for couples etc)

March: "New Member March" (Items/services from new members during the past year)

April: "The Midcoast is Open for Business" (Business Expo is April 8; Business to Business Services, member discounts, business related)

May: "Spring Has Sprung" (Gardening, items for Mother's Day, spring cleaning, etc.)

June: "Fresh Finds" (Gifts for Dad, dining in the Midcoast, Lodging, Boating, summer event tickets etc.)

July: "Set Sail" (Boating related items, dining options on the water etc)

August: "Summer Bounty" (Food related, farmer's markets, locavore, summer activities etc)

September: "Back to School"

October: "Fall Finds" (Halloween related, fall activities, dining etc)

November: "MewVember" (Pet related services, pet adoptions, etc.)

December: "Deck the Halls" (Holiday gifts, dining, lodging for the holidays, etc.)

Workshops for farmers online and at the Agricultural Trades Show Jan. 13 - 15

ORONO — The Beginning Farmers Resource Network (BFRN) of Maine has set up online workshops for new farming businesses, and those needing advice on marketing an existing business to better ensure financial success.

Established in 2012, the BFRN is a group of federal, state, and local farm service providers who have joined together to address a variety of business and technical issues faced by Maine's aspiring, beginning, and transitioning farmers. Farmers are able to access expert advice from BFRN coalition members via a comprehensive website, in addition to attending year-round seminars and workshops. 

The BFRN's website at www.umaine.edu/beginning-farmer-resource-network/ provides resources that address important legal, marketing, and production issues for all new and transitioning farmers. Sample topics include: 

What to Consider First Financing Your Farm Business Searching for, Assessing, and Acquiring Land Marketing Your Farm Products 

Each topic area of the site will provide webinars, fact sheets, contacts, and links to training programs that will help make informed decisions about starting and succeeding in the farm business. With participation from organizations such as Sea Grant — Maine, Maine Farmland Trust, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services, the coalition offers expert support in all aspects of the agriculture, aquaculture, and forestry industries. 

BFRN Workshop Schedule at Agricultural Trades Show

Schedule of workshops at the Agricultural Trades Show can be found at umaine.edu/beginning-farmer-resource-network/files/2014/12/2015-BFRN-Tradeshow-Program.pdf. 

For more information, visit umaine.edu/beginning-farmer-resource-network/events/.

New Licensure Requirement for Food Growers in 2015

In 2011, the Maine State Legislature passed a law requiring many growers to be licensed by the Maine Board of Pesticides Control under a new "Agricultural Basic" license. Growers who annually sell more than $1,000 of plants or plant products intended for human consumption and manage their crops with any general-use pesticides — those with an EPA registration number on the label —- must be licensed by April 1, 2015.

This law applies to:

Growers of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grains for human consumption Growers of the above crops who make bread, jam, French fries, wine, cider, juice, etc., or sell produce to be processed into the above Greenhouse growers selling fruit, vegetable, and herb seedlings. 

For training and testing sessions during the Agricultural Trades Show at the Augusta Civic Center on January 13-15, sign up at maine.gov/dacf/php/pesticides/applicators/sign_up_form2.html.