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 […]
agriculture
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 […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage says no to 'noxious' spinach bill
AUGUSTA — Water spinach sounds like something Popeye would appreciate. But Gov. Paul LePage has a different take on the vegetable. A tasty green that’s long been a staple in Southeast Asia and Brazil, water spinach is listed as a federal noxious weed under the U.S. Plant Protection Act. As one of 112 federally recognized […]
Posted inConnections
Cuban agriculture, solidarity topic of CEBE Earth Day presentation
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. […]
Posted inMaine, 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 […]
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 […]
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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 inMaine, 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 […]