Cooperative Extension Volunteers

National Senior Corps Week, May 6-10, 2013

extension — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:13:41 +0000

UMaine Extension Senior Companion Program joins RSVP and Foster Grandparent Programs in Recognizing “National Senior Corps Week,” May 6-10, 2013. Thank you to our over 100 Senior Companion Program Volunteers!

Cooperative Extension Program Cited in Press Herald Column

stpeter — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:50:21 +0000

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Maine Harvest for Hunger program was mentioned in a recent “Food and Dining Dispatches” column for the Portland Press Herald. The program is seeking gardeners willing to plant an extra row of produce this year to donate to local soup kitchens and food pantries.

Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Volunteers Program Mentioned in Feature

stpeter — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:19:21 +0000

A Boston Globe feature on Sharon Kitchens, a former city dweller who now lives off the land in Maine, mentioned the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Volunteers Program. Kitchens, who also writes the Portland Press Herald blog “The Root,” expects to complete the program this year and to begin the volunteer requirements.

Fenceviewer Reports on Cooperative Extension Food Drive Success

stpeter — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:44:47 +0000

Fenceviewer, the community news and information website for Maine’s Hancock County, carried an article about the countywide food drive organized by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Washington Hancock Community Agency.

Organizers called the drive a success after collecting 12,350 items.

Fenceviewer talked to Marjorie Peronto, educator at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension in Hancock County, about the extension’s involvement in the drive.

Volunteers Needed at Orono Community “Giving” Garden

extension — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:17:15 +0000

The Orono Community “Giving” Garden needs volunteers! We’re looking for a

If you’re interested, please view the Word documents above for detailed information about time commitment, training/support, responsibilities, and benefits. For more information or to apply, contact John Jemison, Extension Specialist, at 581.3241 or jemison@maine.edu .

Blueberry Plant, Asparagus Sale to Benefit Master Gardener Program

stpeter — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 12:53:14 +0000

Highbush blueberry plants and asparagus crowns for spring planting are being sold by University of Maine Cooperative Extension to benefit the statewide Master Gardener Volunteers program.

Orders are now being taken in the”Grow It Right!” plant sale for highbush blueberry plants — three young plants, two varieties per pack for $35.95 and asparagus — a pack of 10 crowns for $15.00. Plants must be ordered by April 30, 2013 and will be available for pickup at University of Maine Cooperative Extension county offices and at Highmoor Farm in Monmouth on Saturday, May 18. UMaine Extension county office locations are listed online.

UMaine Extension experts will provide advice on growing blueberries and asparagus, as well as take-home instructions from Master Gardener volunteers. Online resources are available to gardeners throughout the growing season and harvest.

“This is more than a plant sale. It is an educational experience with positive results,” says Richard Brzozowski, UMaine Extension educator in the Cumberland County office.

Money raised will assist Master Gardener Volunteer projects and provide scholarships for participants. Since its inception more than 30 years ago, the UMaine Extension Master Gardener Volunteers program has assisted in dozens of community horticultural projects across the state, including Maine Harvest for Hunger, youth gardening and other community-based volunteer efforts.

A soil test is recommended prior to planting to help gardeners get the most out of their garden site. Additional information is available at the plant sale website.

For more information about Grow It Right! contact Brzozowski at 207.781.6099 (toll-free in Maine 800.287.1471), or Marjorie Peronto at 207.667.8212 (toll-free in Maine 800.287.1479), or email richard.brzozowski@maine.edu or marjorie.peronto@maine.edu.

Newspaper Garden Feature Cites UMaine Extension Education Classes

extension — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:56:40 +0000

A Lewiston Sun Journal feature article about a Jay middle school community gardening project to benefit a local food bank noted that a seventh-grader leading the project learned about gardening methods through University of Maine Cooperative Extension classes. The students donated more than 100 pounds of cucumbers, tomatoes, green beans and carrots from their school garden.

Extension Experts’ Comments in Charitable Gardening Report

extension — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 19:48:02 +0000

University of Maine Cooperative Extension educators and garden specialists Barbara Murphy and Diana Hibbard were interviewed for a Portland-area KeepMECurrent news report on community gardens and UMaine Extension’s Harvest for Hunger program, which generated more than 293,000 pounds of produce for soup kitchens, homeless shelters and individuals last year.

Harvest for Hunger Program Featured in Press Herald

extension — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:48:49 +0000

In a story about employee-managed corporate gardens, the Portland Press Herald featured University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Harvest for Hunger program and UMaine Extension educator Barbara Murphy, who helps run the program. Murphy said hunger in Maine is usually represented by poor nutrition resulting from people not having the money to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, which is the niche Harvest for Hunger is trying to fill. The story also included a UMaine-produced video about the IDEXX Laboratories’ gardens.

News Report Features Extension’s Senior Companions

extension — Tue, 29 May 2012 02:45:37 +0000

The Channel 7 (WVII) May 23 evening news report featured the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Senior Companion Program, which matches older volunteers with elders, many of whom are living at home alone, to provide companionship, conversation and camaraderie.