NORWAY — The Center for Ecology-Based Economy will celebrate Earth Day with a program that covers organic and low-input agriculture in Cuba and also solidarity with Cuba. The Let Cuba Live Committee of Maine is a co-sponsor. The event will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at The Commons, CEBE, 447 Main St. […]
agriculture
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine agriculture chief writes Question 1 will hurt natural resources
BANGOR — Maine’s commissioner of agriculture says a plan to legalize marijuana in the state will burden law enforcement and negatively impact natural resources here. Voters will decide if they want to legalize recreational marijuana use in Maine on Nov. 8. Commissioner Walt Whitcomb says the referendum targets rural areas of the state where law […]
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Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine potato harvest, delayed by heat, gets underway
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Maine is known for fickle weather, but potato farmers have little to complain about this season. The harvest is underway in earnest this week with sunny skies in Aroostook County, which is home to the vast majority of Maine’s 52,000 acres of potatoes. Temperatures in the 80s late last week had […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine kicks off farmers market season
AUGUSTA — Maine’s agriculture department says the number of farmers markets in the state is on the rise. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry says there are more than 125 farmers markets in Maine, up from 100 in 2012 and 63 in 2007. Commissioner Walt Whitcomb will visit the Viles Arboretum Farmers Market in […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine lawmakers consider looser raw milk regulations
AUGUSTA— Maine agricultural officials say they support easing license requirements for some dairy farmers who sell raw milk directly to consumers. The Legislature is considering two bills that would loosen regulatory requirements on raw milk. The Portland Press Herald reports the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry quality assurance and regulations director Ronald Dyer […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Bill would legalize hemp farming in Maine
AUGUSTA — Farmers, organic growers, agricultural researchers and community members have thrown their support behind a bill moving through the Legislature to legalize hemp cultivation in Maine for industrial uses. “Maine has an opportunity to break into an emerging industry that will be of tremendous benefit to our state,” Rep. Deborah Sanderson, R-Chelsea, who introduced […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Maine officials announce more than $400K for state agriculture projects
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine officials are giving out more than $400,000 in grants to 11 agricultural projects in the state. Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walter Whitcomb announced the $422,855 in grants at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show last week. The projects were chosen from 47 proposals. The department says the projects […]
Posted inOxford Hills, The Franklin Journal
Oxford Fair opens Wednesday
OXFORD — Oxford Fair, one of the oldest in the state, returns this week. Thousands of people from Oxford County and beyond are expected to descend on the Oxford Fairgrounds off Pottle Road beginning Wednesday, Sept. 10. Fair officials say they have made many changes in the past few years, including affordable pricing, new competitions […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Blueberry growers expect a strong season
JONESBORO — It should be a fruitful season — above average — for wild Maine blueberries, according to an expert and growers who attended an annual meeting and field day event Wednesday. About 150 people, representing growers, processors, vendors and suppliers, attended the gathering at Blueberry Hill Farm, the wild blueberry research and University of […]
Posted inLocal & State, sj-web
Potato blight found in Buxton field
BUXTON — Maine officials say late blight symptoms have been found in a potato field in Buxton. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension say the blight symptoms were located this week. Late blight is a non-treatable disease that spreads rapidly in warm, wet conditions. It affects potatoes […]