Agriculture

MAFES & UMaine make headlines worldwide in 2025

Whether it’s conducting cutting-edge research, commenting on current events or receiving that diploma, University of Maine faculty, students and leaders made headlines locally, nationally and internationally in 2025. From research labs and classrooms to commencement stages and championship arenas, UMaine was featured in more than 18,000 stories published from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025. […]

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Jordan Ramos: An artistic take on Maine’s wild blueberry heritage

Jordan Ramos first stepped into a wild blueberry field the summer before her sophomore year at the University of Maine. What started as environmental research transformed into the beginning of an artistic path rooted in Maine’s working landscapes. Raised in Bristol, Rhode Island, Ramos was familiar with New England’s history but had never spent time […]

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UMaine research highlights how PFAS uptake differs among crops

One way people ingest a group of toxic chemicals known as PFAS is through consuming produce, dairy and meat products that have been exposed to contaminated soil and irrigation water. Some guidance is available on how growers can try to mitigate the uptake of PFAS, but it’s limited due in part to a lack of […]

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Highmoor Farm keeps pumpkin and apple season alive in Maine

Pumpkin season starts at the University of Maine’s Highmoor Farm early in June. David Handley, a small fruit and vegetable specialist at University of Maine Cooperative Extension, and Mark Hutton, associate professor of vegetable crop, watch as the pumpkins grow, taking calls along the way from farmers in Maine who may be experiencing their own […]

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Maine kicks off Dairy Month at Witter Farm to celebrate industry advances

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and Gov. Janet Mills launched Dairy Month on June 6 at the University of Maine’s Witter Farm, uniting dairy farmers, 4-H students, researchers, state and local leaders and industry partners. Together, and with a celebratory milk toast, they highlighted the vital role of dairy in Maine’s agricultural […]

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Drs. Li and Mallory receive funding for PFAS research from Maine’s DACF

Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) have awarded Dr. Ling Li and Dr. Ellen Mallory polyfluoroalkyl substances (e.g., PFAS, PFOA, etc.) research grants. The intent of the DACF’s research grant program is to fund research that helps farmers determine their best options for maintaining and enhancing viability despite the presence of PFAS on […]

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State’s new robotic milking barn unveiled at UMaine’s Witter Farm

OLD TOWN, Maine — The University of Maine unveiled its new robotic milking barn — the third of its kind in Maine and a new resource for bolstering the agricultural workforce and pursuing research activities — at Witter Farm in a grand opening ceremony on Wednesday, April 2.  Featuring the latest technology in the dairy […]

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