Media report on new potato variety developed by UMaine

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

May 23, 2018 Economic Development, UMaine in the News

Mainebiz, The Associated Press, The Daily Meal, News Center Maine, The Ellsworth American and Q106.5 reported on a new gourmet potato variety developed by the University of Maine. Pinto Gold is a high-yielding, yellow-fleshed specialty variety with excellent roasting and eating quality, according to Gregory Porter, who leads UMaine’s potato breeding program. The oblong tubers have a red and yellow “pinto type” skin pattern, which makes them appealing to smaller specialty markets, and the Pinto Gold name highlights the unique skin color pattern and the tubers’ yellow flesh, Mainebiz reported. Porter, a professor of plant, soil, environmental sciences and agronomy, said the potatoes are excellent roasted, but can also be used for boiling, pan frying, baking and in salads. Pinto Gold is the fourth potato variety released by UMaine since 2014. Although Pinto Gold will likely never be produced on thousands of acres in the state, Porter said he believes it will be beneficial for small-scale growers, restaurants, home cooks and gardeners. “It’s got a very nice, mild potato flavor, and kind of moist texture,” Porter told The Daily Meal. “It produces a small potato that you can easily cut into halves or quarters, the right size for roasting, and the red and yellow skin and yellow flesh makes for an attractive dish.” FreshPlaza also reported on the potato, citing Mainebiz. U.S. News & World Report, The Sacramento Bee, Potato Pro, The Seattle Times, Bangor Daily News, WAGM (Channel 8 in Presque Isle), WMTW (Channel 8 in Portland) and NECN carried the AP report.