Cooperative Extension

Media advance pollinator-friendly garden certification

The Boothbay Register, Daily Bulldog, CentralMaine.com and Morning Ag Clips shared a media release about the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers program’s new pollinator-friendly garden certification. Maine gardeners can apply to have existing or new gardens certified when specific criteria are met. Guidelines and educational resources are included for each step of the process. Maine gardeners can apply online […]

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Media promote pain-free gardening webinar

The Bangor Daily News, the Daily Bulldog, Morning Ag Clips, Village Soup and CentralMaine.com shared a media release about the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s webinar addressing the physical strain of gardening from noon–1 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31. “Pain-free Gardening,” led by Maine AgrAbility specialist Ellen Gibson, will include discussions about ergonomics and tool choices, and demonstrations […]

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Check out 180-plus projects in 4-H virtual exhibit hall

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, University of Maine Cooperative Extension created a virtual exhibit hall for Maine 4-H members in lieu of traditional exhibits generally displayed during fair season.  UMaine Extension 4-H members from across the state have entered more than 180 projects to this inaugural Maine State Virtual Fair, ranging from art to […]

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UMaine Extension offers pollinator-friendly garden certification

Gardens created to attract essential pollinators are the focus of a new pollinator-friendly garden certification from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers program. Pollinator-friendly gardens provide food and habitat for native insects and animals in a dedicated garden space. Maine gardeners can apply to have existing or new gardens certified when specific […]

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Media advance Extension virtual exhibit hall

Village Soup, the Boothbay Register, the Sun Journal and CentralMaine.com highlighted the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Maine State Virtual Fair, which was developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow 4-H members to share projects that would normally be exhibited during fair season. More than 180 exhibits are featured at the fair, including art, sewing, building […]

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Smart discusses tomato disease with BDN

The Bangor Daily News talked with Alicyn Smart, assistant professor and plant pathologist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, about blossom end rot. This marker of calcium deficiency is common during hot, dry growing seasons. According to Smart, a lot of Maine gardeners may be losing tomatoes and peppers to blossom end rot this […]

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BDN talks with Garland about saving tomato seeds

The Bangor Daily News talked with University of Maine Cooperative Extension horticulture specialist Kate Garland about why gardeners should save seeds from that perfect summer tomato. “Our food system would be less stable if we were just relying on one or two varieties because they won’t have the resilience when disease and other pressures come […]

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UMaine Extension offers webinar on pain-free gardening Aug. 31

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a webinar about ways to address the physical strain of gardening noon–1 p.m. Aug. 31. This is the fourth in a six-part summer gardening webinar series to be offered every other Monday through September. “Pain-free Gardening,” led by Maine AgrAbility specialist Ellen Gibson, will include discussions about ergonomics and […]

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Savoie promotes home food preservation with WGME

WGME (Channel 13 in Portland) discussed trends in food preservation during the pandemic with University of Maine Cooperative Extension Educator Kathy Savoie. Savoie says that economic disruption often leads to an increase in home gardening, with beginners tending to plant too much for their consumption. UMaine Extension anticipated the pandemic-related resurgence in home gardening and […]

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Dill, Handley discuss spotted wing drosophila that lay eggs in berries

Jim Dill and David Handley talked with the Bangor Daily News about this summer’s spotted wing drosophila population explosion. “This is a whole different species than the fruit fly people are used to if they leave bananas out too long on the counter and then start flitting around and driving you crazy,” said Dill, pest […]

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