AUBURN — The debate over how to best take advantage of the city’s vast agricultural zone continued Monday as the City Council reviewed the results of a recent study and committee recommendations. But even the chief recommendation from the ad-hoc committee made up of local farmers — to create a permanent agriculture commission — received […]
agriculture
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Connections
Storyteller's Cottage new feature at Waterford World's Fair
WATERFORD — Waterford World’s Fair will unveil The Storyteller’s Cottage for Agriculture History on Friday, July 20, at the fairgrounds on Green Road off Route 35. It’s a new exhibit at this year’s fair, which runs Friday to Sunday, July 20 to 22. The cottage is part of Agriculture & Conservation Family Day from 9:30 […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine blueberry value tumbles to lowest point in more than 30 years
The value of Maine wild blueberries sank to its lowest point in almost three decades last year, as growers struggle with competition from cheaper Canadian producers and a thriving cultivated blueberry industry. Maine berries fetched 26 cents per pound last year, the lowest price since 1985, according to University of Maine data. The estimated value […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Bruce Poliquin hails House farm bill that Chellie Pingree opposes
An $867 billion farm bill that narrowly passed the U.S. House on Thursday includes two provisions pushed by Maine Republican Bruce Poliquin, who represents the largely rural 2nd District. At Poliquin’s urging, the measure includes work requirements for many adults to receive food aid and a provision to replace the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program […]
Posted inLocal & State
Fearing a mousepocalypse, Maine farmers aren’t messing around
At one point, farmer Kate Hall resorted to setting up security cameras. By then she had a pretty good idea about what was decimating entire trays of her tender young microgreens – nearly $1,200 worth in one night. But she wanted to know how the mice were getting into her recently insulated Northport grow room; […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Former senator blasts Bruce Poliquin’s push for fresh produce substitutes
The retired U.S. senator from Iowa who created the national Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is charging Maine Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin with trying to destroy it. Former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, who served for three decades until his 2015 retirement, said, “This character from Maine” is so determined to let schools buy more […]
Posted inBusiness
Green Thumb Farms in Fryeburg fined $10,000 by feds
One of Maine’s biggest potato farmers got hit with a $10,000 fine for failing to offer packing jobs to American workers before hiring temporary foreign workers. Green Thumb Farms, which operates a 2,400 acre potato, corn, bean and turfgrass farm in Fryeburg, hired temporary foreign workers to pack potatoes without first trying to recruit American […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Fryeburg Fair: "There's nothing quite like it'
FRYEBURG — For 10-year-old Mackenzie Ramsdell, there’s no question that the best part of the Fryeburg Fair is “getting to show the animals.” Her twin sister, Madelyn, added that hanging with their friends was pretty sweet as well. The sisters, from Limington, said Monday they’ll be at the fair night and day with their family’s […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
For Poliquin, 'fresh' should include produce that's frozen, canned, pureed or dried
In a bid to “give our children greater access to healthy fruits and vegetables,” U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin aims to gut the government’s successful Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program by adding produce that’s frozen, canned, pureed or dried. The proposal would allow almost any form of fruits and vegetables to count under the initiative created […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine blueberry prices dropped to 10-year low in 2016
DEBLOIS (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Maine’s wild blueberry growers saw another decrease in crop value in 2016. Wild blueberries are one of Maine’s most recognized agriculture products. Production of the blueberries has been high in recent years, and crept up a little less than one percent to almost 102 million pounds last […]