agriculture Archives - Lewiston Sun Journal

Business, Local & State

Citing drought, USDA declares most Maine farmers eligible for disaster relief

by Edward D. Murphy October 20, 2020October 20, 2020

The new declaration from Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue covers 14 of the state’s 16 counties.

Chellie Pingree aims to transform American agriculture

by Steve Collins August 30, 2020April 2, 2021

From an island in Maine, the 1st Congressional District Democrat is pushing a measure to make the nation’s farming carbon neutral and more sustainable.

Local & State, News

Summer without the fair leaves foul feeling in the air

by Peggy Grodinsky July 26, 2020July 27, 2020

Organizers, vendors and 4-H’ers take a financial hit from fair cancellations, and you can kiss fried dough goodbye.

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Five of John Bunker’s apple standouts

July 19, 2020July 15, 2020

With hundreds of apple varieties on John Bunker’s farm in Palermo, there’s bound to be more than a few odd ones in the bunch. Here are five apples Bunker says are particularly interesting for their exceptional taste, unusual quality or outstanding use in cooked recipes. Duchess of Oldenburg: Originating from Russia in the 17th century, […]

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Heritage orchard at the Blaine House meant to plant seeds of unity

by Vanessa Paolella July 19, 2020July 15, 2020

AUGUSTA — John Bunker approached Gov. Janet Mill’s administration in 2019 and offered to create an orchard at the Blaine House full of Maine heritage apples. He suggested planting 16 varieties of apple trees, one to represent each of Maine’s 16 counties. “The idea is to connect all of Maine and everyone in Maine through […]

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Graft by graft, John Bunker is preserving Maine’s rich apple history

by Vanessa Paolella July 19, 2020July 19, 2020

For 45 years, the self-taught Palermo man has been resurrecting heritage apple varieties, for posterity and for long-forgotten delicious applesauce, apple pies and cider.

Local & State, News

After record lack of rain, half of Maine now in drought conditions

by Meredith Goad June 25, 2020June 29, 2020

A stubborn blocking pattern in the jet stream led to the moderate drought that was declared Thursday, and the forecast shows an increasing likelihood of ‘extreme conditions’ later this summer.