‘Buying Local Meat’ program coming to D-F, Milo and Guilford

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — A class on how to save money and get a quality product while buying meat directly, taught by Donna Coffin, is the next workshop in the “You Can” series at three locations.

    Classes will be held Monday, Sept. 30 at Penquis Valley High School in Milo; Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the Piscataquis County Extension Office in Dover-Foxcroft; and Monday, Oct. 7 at the Piscataquis Community Secondary School in Guilford. All classes are 6-8 p.m.
    Even though times are tough, “You Can” sustain your family. The Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension have put together a series of workshops that will give you the skills to get started in self-sufficiency.
    The cost of this workshop is $5 and you can register through PVAEC, 48 Morton Ave., Suite M, Dover-Foxcroft 04426; by calling 564-6525 or online at http://bit.ly/pyoucan.
    Buying meat directly from local farmers is a way to support the local agriculture community, but it can be confusing.
    At this program you will learn about the different words used to describe how animals are raised and how meat is sold from local farms – natural, grass-fed, organic, dry-aged, pasture raised, free range, humane and prime.
    Also, students will learn how much meat to expect when you buy a side or quarter, where you can purchase directly from farmers and how to care for the meat until it is used.
    Donna Coffin is the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Educator in Piscataquis County for over 30 years.
    Her area of expertise includes sustainable agriculture and home horticulture.
    She received her Master of Science degree from the University of Maine in Animal Science in the area of animal nutrition.
    For more information or to request a disability accommodation, call 564-3301 or in Maine 1-800-287-1491.