AUGUSTA — The Maine Emergency Management Agency and US Geological Survey commenced Thursday a preliminary activation of the Drought Task Force for the 2021 season.
The U.S. Drought Monitor…
Agriculture
55% of Maine experiencing abnormally dry conditions, impacting 15 counties
AUGUSTA — The Maine Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry unanimously passed LD 316, An Act To Prohibit the Use of Chlorpyrifos on April 20. The bill now…
‘saying thank you to mother nature, showing respect and love for this earth’
WASHINGTON — On April 7, Midcoast Conservancy accepted a donated Conservation Easement on 108 acres owned by Mary Merrifield, in Washington. The Easement not only ensures the farm will remain…
AUGUSTA — Earlier this week, Maine Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau appointed State Representative Bill Pluecker, I-Warren, to serve on the Agriculture Task Force with the National Conference of…
AUGUSTA — The State Legislature’s policy committees unanimously voted this to advance two measures sponsored by State Representative Bill Pluecker, I-Warren, to assist farmers in addressing…
The Janet Winslow Preserve
WALDOBORO — On March 31, Edgar Moody, of Union, and John Winslow, of Sanford, donated 94 acres of woods and wetlands off of Sidelinger Road, in Waldoboro, to Midcoast Conservancy, in memory of the…
The Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the University of Maine will host the first annual Maine Food Waste Solutions Summit, Friday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m…
ROCKPORT — A level spot of lawn lying between the tennis courts and the baseball fields at Marge Jones recreational fields on Route 90 in Rockport will soon be tilled and plotted into individual…
Outdoor Leadership program follows syrup making from start to finish
Students at Waldo County Technical Center were able to reap the sweet rewards of tree tapping in the Outdoor Leadership program early this Spring.
WCTC’s educational technician Jon Cox…
UNITY – Rural Maine farmers gather together at the Unity Community Center every Friday to bring local food to their communities and doing so successfully…
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will hold its annual Vegetable and Fruit School online Wednesday and Thursday, March 31 and April 1, from noon - 2 p.m.
Topics include new and…
AUGUSTA — State Representative Bill Pluecker, I-Warren, introduced LD 568, “An Act To Establish a Working Farmland Access and Protection Program within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation…
AUGUSTA — State Representative Bill Pluecker (I-Warren) introduced LD 363, “An Act Regarding the Statute of Limitations for Injuries or Harm Resulting from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl…
So You Want to Farm in Maine?
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a seven-session online course for aspiring farmers starting March 29. The class meets twice per week through April 22, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.…
deadline March 30
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry's (DACF) Bureau of Agriculture seeks Specialty Crop Block Grants (SCBG) program applications from Maine's specialty crop industry to…
webinar for home gardeners
University of Maine Cooperative Extension and University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension will offer a webinar for home gardeners about caring for fruit trees Wednesday, March 24, from 6 - 7…
‘proven to cause brain damage in children and known to harm the environment and wildlife’
AUGUSTA — House District 94 Representative Vicki Doudera, D-Camden, testified Tuesday before the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry to introduce a bill to ban the nerve…
no experience required, just a desire to be outdoors, work hard in a team, and learn new skills
ROCKPORT — Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a state-wide land conservation organization, is offering teens ages 14-18 paid internships through the Teen Ag Crew program at Erickson Fields Preserve,…
compost issues in agriculture and waste management
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a three-webinar series about compost issues in agriculture and waste management, Thursday, March 11, and Tuesdays March 23 and March 30, from…
National Invasive Species Awareness Week
AUGUSTA — "Together, we can do more" is the theme under which the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is rolling out its 2021 National Invasive Species Awareness Week…
pursuing careers in farming, agriculture, or natural resources
Graduating seniors from Maine high schools who are National FFA (Future Farmers of America) Organization members and interested in pursuing a career in farming, agriculture, or natural resources…
Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District (KLSWCD) is once again sponsoring an annual trout stocking sale for homes and farm pond. KLSWCD offers two sizes, 4-6” rainbow trout and 7-9”…
ROCKPORT — Cabin fever setting in? Looking for a sweet pick-me-up? During the month of March, Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) invites all ages to try out making maple syrup from scratch (i.e.…
University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H will launch a new club for youth in grades 3–5 about the science of sustainable fisheries that will meet online weekly, Monday, Feb. 22 - April 12,…
Standing on the shoreline of the Weskeag Headland Preserve, you see extensive salt grass flats, quiet coves, and acres of open fields and woodland protected along the opposite shore.
The…
participate in projects, learn what 4-H has to offer
University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H is offering a second session of the 4-H for All club for youth ages 5–13 who are new,…
‘We didn’t want them to look like the mussels that everyone else was producing’
BEALS — The Downeast Institute, in partnership with Blue Hill Bay Mussels, has found a solution, the Beals-based organization says, to weaning the state’s Maine mussel farmers from being fully…
ROCKPORT – This March, Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) invites youth ages 10 to 18 to work hands-on with Belted Galloway calves at Aldermere Farm, a historic saltwater farm preserve located at…
WARREN – Maine Speaker of the House Ryan Fecteau appointed State Representative Bill Pluecker, I-Warren, Tuesday to the Maine Board of Agriculture.
…
scenic and recreational opportunities
LIBERTY — The northern two thirds of Quigg Island in Stevens Pond, the Quigg Island Community Forest, is now permanently protected and is the Georges River Land Trust’s first preserve in the…
finish the course with keen awareness of how to evaluate practices and equipment for safety
JEFFERSON — Join Midcoast Conservancy, April 17 and 18, for this one-and-a-half day course designed for beginners at Hidden Valley Nature Center, in Jefferson.
Most participants have little…
public access on trails to be developed
WALDOBORO — On December 23, Midcoast Conservancy accepted a donated conservation easement on 49 acres owned by Jim Doble in Waldoboro. The property is near Clarry Hill Preserve as well as several…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) announced the COVID-19 relief package that passed Congress and was signed…
Knox County received a drought declaration
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Drought Task Force met virtually Thursday to discuss the drought conditions across the state. Since the Task Force met a month ago, drought conditions have significantly improved…
AUGUSTA – The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Bureaus of Agriculture and Forestry are continuing to increase access to mental health resources for…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maine farmers have been awarded a total of $50,329,634 to date to help offset the financial harm they have experienced due to COVID-19, according to a news release.
The…
aiming to better meet the needs of the community
ROCKPORT — Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) has launched a short online survey to collect feedback from visitors of Erickson Fields Preserve, in Rockport. Located at 164 West Street (less than a…
In a move that capitalizes on collective forestry knowledge and a commitment to smarter, sustainable use of natural resources, Finland and the states of Maine and Michigan are elevating a…
advancing the breeding of economically important polyploid food crops
Two University of Maine researchers are part of a team of plant geneticists and breeders working to develop tools that will help Maine scientists and farmers become more efficient in breeding new…
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Drought Task Force met virtually Thursday to discuss the drought conditions across the state. Since the Task Force met two weeks ago, conditions have improved across much of the…
Nominees can be businesses, schools, nonprofits, or individuals
ecomaine, a single-sort recycling and sustainable waste management, has opened its call for nominations for the 2021 eco-Excellence Awards. The Awards are designed to recognize and celebrate…
AUGUSTA — The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) will use federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to support farmers and agricultural…
Many livestock and equine owners in Maine purchase all of their hay and forage needs for winter. While this year’s growing season started out well, forage growth was reduced due to low…
Boots-2-Bushels: Boot Camp for Market Gardeners and Farmers
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer training in small-scale farming for market sales to military veterans and family members, and farmers with disabilities, starting in January.…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maine farmers have been awarded a total of $48,890,321 to date to help offset the financial harm they have experienced due to COVID-19, according to a news release.
The…
Trail steward volunteers are needed to help the Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition maintain the Little River Community Trail.
A trail steward will inspect a portion of the trail on a weekly (…
Mainers Feeding Mainers
On October 19, Knox County Gleaners, Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) staff and volunteers loaded over 1,000 lbs. of winter squash into AIO Food and Energy Assistance’s new root cellar in…
AUGUSTA — Maine's Drought Task Force met virtually Thursday to discuss the drought conditions across the state.
Since the Task Force met two weeks ago, conditions have improved across much…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maine farmers have been awarded a total of $40,588,764 to date to help offset the financial harm they have experienced due to COVID-19, according to a news release.
The…
impaired lake, out-of-date management plan
The Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District has been awarded $45,508 in USEPA Clean Water Act Section 604(b) grant funds to create an updated Watershed-Based Management Plan (WBMP) for…
