HIRAM (AP) — There have been a few bad apples, but New England’s crop of its signature fall fruit is only slightly behind last year’s. The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted earlier this year the six-state region’s apple production would be in line with a typical year. That prediction appears close to the target, as […]
agriculture
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Is mushroom growing in Auburn’s economic future?
AUBURN — City officials believe mushrooms — a lot of mushrooms — are a great fit for Auburn. After a recent trade trip to China alongside a company that has already invested in the city, Mayor Jason Levesque and Economic Development Director Michael Chammings say a large-scale mushroom-growing operation is the project “closest to reality” […]
advertisement
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn urged to act on agricultural zone rules
AUBURN — The City Council cleared the way for a new mayor’s committee on the city’s agricultural zone, as landowners upped the pressure on officials to modernize the zoning rules. Councilors voted 7-0 in favor of the committee. Alfreda Fournier and Holly Lasagna will serve as council representatives. The new temporary committee, formed in the […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn council unsure how to move forward on agriculture panel
AUBURN — The City Council, in a 4-3 decision, tabled a vote Monday that would have put its support behind a new mayor’s committee on agriculture, after representatives from the city’s farming community spoke out against the process. However, Mayor Jason Levesque told the Sun Journal after the meeting that he will continue his ad-hoc […]
Posted inLocal & State
Huge squirrel population driving Maine farmers nuts
There’s a bumper crop of squirrels in New England, and the frenetic critters are frustrating farmers by chomping their way through apple orchards, pumpkin patches and corn fields. The varmints are fattening themselves for winter while destroying the crops with bite marks. Robert Randall, who has a 60-acre orchard in Standish, said he’s never seen […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
With mayor in China, Auburn council to continue agriculture talks
AUBURN — While Mayor Jason Levesque is in China, the City Council is expected to put its support behind his new committee on agriculture and a strategic planning process spearheaded by the city manager. The temporary committee will be asked to create draft ordinances on the current income and minimum land-use requirements in the city’s […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Connections
Agriculture & Conservation Day at Oxford County Fair will be Sept. 12
OXFORD — Agriculture & Conservation Day at Oxford County Fair will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the Oxford County Fairgrounds on Pottle Road. The day is traditionally set aside for children up to sixth grade and home-school families to learn about the many aspects of agriculture and conservation. […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn mayor creates new committee for agricultural zone
AUBURN — Mayor Jason Levesque announced Wednesday the formation of a mayor’s “action group” on agriculture and resource protection. The announcement follows months of discussions over the future of the city’s large agricultural zone, and pressure to act on previous recommendations. The new group comes after a previous committee spent six months working in tandem with […]
Posted inEncore, sj-web
Monmouth Fair to start Wednesday
MONMOUTH — The Monmouth Fair will run this week from Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 1 to 4, at the Monmouth Fairgrounds, 79 Academy Road. This is a small, family-oriented agricultural fair with midway, animal exhibits, crafts and animal pull events. Major events will include live music, 4-H events and exhibits, horse and ox pulling and […]
Posted inBusiness
Got milk? Maybe not if it’s from an almond or soybean
NEW YORK (AP) — Soy and almond drinks that bill themselves as “milk” may need to consider alternative language after a top regulator suggested the agency may start cracking down on use of the term. The Food and Drug Administration signaled plans to start enforcing a federal standard that defines “milk” as coming from the […]