Agriculture and food processing plays a substantial role in support of the fragile Maine economy. Potato and blueberry production are vital to the depressed economies of northern and eastern Maine and valuable niche crops (i.e. tomato, elderberry, pepper, Chaga mushrooms) have the potential to provide additional employment opportunities. The shellfish industry also employs a significant […]
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Every day, the FDA implements recalls because of possible microbial or chemical contamination in fresh or processed foods. Maine has been a large producer of agricultural commodities such as berries, potatoes, and seafood commodities such as lobster. Safety of food products is a major concern to the growers and processors. This research, aimed at an […]
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Epidemiologic evidence supports consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables to promote health and to decrease risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Presently, the world is experiencing a dramatic increase in both obesity and type 2 diabetes and a major target area to address this rise is by addressing diet. Elderberry is […]
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A thriving horticulture industry relies upon the assessment and introduction of dependable, attractive plants for the landscape. The introduction of nonnative plants comes with ecological risks, making evaluation and promotion of native plants an attractive alternative. The proposed research will support the ornamental and native plant segments of New England’s horticulture industry by generating practical […]
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Horticulture, including the greenhouse industry, is vibrant and economically important. For example, in 2009, specialty crops were valued at $11.7 billion dollars according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Greenhouses allow specialty crop growers to grow in adverse climates and extend the growing season, which is particularly important in northern areas of the United States. […]
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The agricultural and natural resource sector in Maine faces challenges from an array of natural hazards and financial disturbances. A significant amount of resources have been spent on minimizing such risks. However, for farmers, how to make optimal production decisions facing these risks? How to utilize the available financial instrument to better hedge risks? For […]
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The lowbush blueberry industry in Maine has a significant share of the blueberry market. Over the last decade the industry has come under pressure to decrease inputs, such as fungicides, that may affect the environment. Yet at the same time, the number of fungal diseases affecting the crop has increased. Development of effective integrated pest […]
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Maine has 575 wild blueberry growers who produce an average of 80 million pounds per year. Maine produces 15 percent of the North American blueberry crop and 40 percent of the wild blueberry crop. Because weed and disease issues continue to evolve research is needed to develop the tools our wild blueberry growers need to […]
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Invasive plants and animals currently make up more than 30% of Maine’s flora and an unknown, but increasingly growing percentage of Maine’s fauna. While these species are most apparent along roadsides and in many natural areas, they also are abundant in agricultural fields. Two such species have recently found their way into the Maine blueberry […]
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The spotted wing drosophila (SWD) has created an emergency approach to insect pest control that is reactive and not necessarily a least-toxic strategy. This research should result in a better monitoring procedure for the adult flies, an action threshold, and better knowledge of SWD trivial movement within and between blueberry fields and least toxic strategies […]
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