Maine Foods, Agricultural Heritage to be Featured at Highmoor Centennial Aug. 19
Contact: Joe Carr at (207) 581-3571; Aimee Dolloff at (207) 581-3777
MONMOUTH — Events highlighting Maine’s rich agricultural history will take center stage on Wednesday Aug. 19 when the University of Maine hosts a centennial celebration of its Highmoor Farm in Monmouth.
The state established the facility in 1909 to conduct research and demonstrations related to apples. UMaine later took over the farm, which has expanded over the decades both in size and research scope, to now include cutting-edge research involving apples, strawberries, sweet corn and other fruits and vegetables, along with composting. HIghmoor Farm is home to activities conducted by both the UMaine College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture and UMaine Cooperative Extension.
Activities are scheduled from 9:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. at the research facility, located on Rte. 202 in Monmouth, approximately 15 miles outside Augusta. Representatives of state government, the University of Maine and the agriculture industry will offer comments during a brief program in the morning.
After a lunch for invited guests. afternoon tours, beginning at 12:30 p.m., will highlight ongoing research on vegetables, berries, apples and composting. A tomato variety testing event is planned for 2:15 p.m.
“Research scientists continue their work today in the proud tradition established over the past century at Highmoor Farm,” says Edward Ashworth, dean of UMaine’s College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture. “This centennial anniversary provides the perfect opportunity to recognize that heritage while also taking note of the immense current impact of the research activities on Maine agriculture, which is a critical part of our state’s economy.”