Soil health is the theme of University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s annual sustainable agriculture twilight tour 4:30–7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at UMaine’s Rogers Farm, 914 Bennoch Road, Old Town. The free public event is designed for farmers, crop advisers and others interested in agricultural production who want to learn more about soil health, including […]
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Maine’s wet 2017 winter and spring eased the 2016 drought conditions, says Sean Birkel, University of Maine research assistant professor and Maine State Climatologist. Winter precipitation was 2.3 inches more than normal on a statewide average, he says, totaling 11.7 inches water equivalent. And spring precipitation was 2.5 inches above normal, totaling 12.3 inches water […]
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John Rebar, executive director of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, spoke with Maine Public for the report, “Fresh Maine law lets municipalities regulate local food production.” Proponents of the food sovereignty law argue that many food-borne illnesses in America are caused by factory farming and food centralization, according to Maine Public. “Years ago there […]
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David Handley, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension specialist of vegetables and small fruits, spoke with the Bangor Daily News for the article, “Maine’s strawberry season off to strong start.” Overall, it should be a good season in Maine for strawberries, according to Handley. The cool spring weather slowed down the start of the season, […]
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Lancaster Farming reported the Kennebec County Soil & Water Conservation District, in collaboration with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry; AgMatters LLC; and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, is offering a produce safety alliance grower training July 21 in Augusta. The course is for fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in […]
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A trellis-based vertical garden is now part of a display by Maine AgrAbility at the Common Ground fairgrounds to demonstrate accessible structures for gardeners with limited mobility. The vertical garden was built June 17 in a workshop presented by Maine AgrAbility during Farm and Homestead Day at MOFGA. The annual free event offers hands-on workshops […]
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Kate McCarty, food preservation community education assistant for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, spoke with WLBZ (Channel 2) about the most economical ways to preserve food that is grown in the garden. McCarty said freezing is the most cost-effective method at an average of 41 cents per pound, followed by hot water bath canning […]
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Morning Ag Clips and Sun Journal reported the University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering “Preserving the Harvest” workshops around the state throughout the summer. Upcoming workshop topics include an introduction to water bath canning and how to preserve strawberry jam, pickles and green beans. UMaine Extension staff and volunteers will lead the workshops where […]
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Seacoast Online reported the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener Volunteers will offer July workshops at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. “Container Gardening” will be held 4–6 p.m. Thursday, July 6 and “Yardscaping & Native Plants” will be offered 10 a.m.–noon Sunday, July 16. A $10 fee to help defray the cost of containers, […]
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Jim Dill, a pest management specialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, was interviewed by the Sun Journal for an article about tick and mosquito season. “It’s a bad year for ticks. There’s a lot of ticks around,” Dill said, adding deer ticks thrive in high humidity, which is what the state has had […]
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