LEWISTON ? Locally grown foods, a first-hand look at farming and agriculture, and fun and games for those of all ages could only mean one thing: the 26th Annual Maine Open Farm Day is coming. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 26, approximately 100 family farms across the state will be opening their […]
USDA
Posted inLetters
C. Hartley: Put an end to puppy mills
As a member of Maine Citizens Against Puppy Mills, I write concerning legislative bill LD 335, “An Act To Prohibit the Sales of Dogs and Cats in Pet Shops.” According to evidence collected by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, puppy mills do exist. These “mills” have male and female dogs […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
USDA’s Wildlife Services killed 4 million animals in 2013
WASHINGTON — For years, the massive toll of wild animals exterminated by the federal government as a service to everything from airports to ranches has bounced up and down like a yo-yo. Near the turn of the century, it hit a staggering 4 million. Two years later, in 2001, it fell to about 1.5 million […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
RSU 10 gets almost $500,000 from USDA grant for remote learning
BANGOR — Maine is getting the nation’s largest share of federal grants to support remote learning opportunities and telemedicine. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development division says nearly $2.6 million is being distributed in six grants. Recipients include the Island Institute, four Maine school districts and a school unit, and Community Health and Counseling […]
Posted inMaine
USDA asks for plan on Maine EBT card photos
AUGUSTA — A federal agency is asking Gov. Paul LePage’s administration to provide details on its efforts to pilot a new benefits card system that would include recipients’ photos. The state uses electronic benefits transfer cards to dispense a variety of public assistance, including the largely federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps, […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Tripp Middle School wins top award for healthy meals
TURNER — Tripp Middle School has achieved the highest award possible for being a healthy school as part of first lady Michelle Obama’s HealthierUS School Challenge. Tripp is the first middle school in Maine to receive a Gold Award, said U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon, who came to the school Thursday to deliver […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
Local farmers hear from federal agriculture official
NORWAY — Passage of the Farm Bill will be critical to ensure the continuation of small farms across Maine and the country, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Edward Avalos told a group of local farmers Friday morning. “It’s not fair for Congress to keep farmers and ranchers hostage,” he said. “If Congress […]
Posted inBusiness
Downtown Lewiston hotel project gets $7million USDA loan
View Planned Hampton Inn Hotel, Lewiston, Maine in a larger map LEWISTON — Developers will receive a $7 million guaranteed loan to help build a 93-room Hampton Inn on Lincoln Street. The $7,023,258 USDA Rural Development Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan to Lincoln Street Hoteliers LLC will be in partnership with Machias Savings Bank. The […]