Cooperative Extension

Handley speaks with BDN about strawberry season’s strong start

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 advances produce safety training

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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Maine AgrAbility builds vertical garden in Unity

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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McCarty discusses economical food preservation methods on WLBZ

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, Sun Journal advance ‘Preserving the Harvest’ workshops

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 advances container gardening, yardscaping workshops

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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Dill speaks with Sun Journal about protection against ticks, mosquitoes

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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Sun Journal quotes Kersbergen in article on delayed crops

Richard Kersbergen, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension professor and educator, was quoted in the Sun Journal article, “Farmers: Crops delayed, but quality looking good.” Kersbergen, an agricultural expert, said his specialty is hay and corn in Knox, Lincoln and Waldo counties. Like other crops, corn planting was delayed this year, according to the article. […]

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Mainebiz, BDN publish UMaine Extension’s armyworm warning

Mainebiz and the Bangor Daily News reported the University of Maine Cooperative Extension has received reports of several outbreaks of armyworms, and it is warning farmers throughout the state to inspect their fields. “The last time we had a large outbreak was in 2001,” said UMaine Extension professor Richard Kersbergen. “That year, we also had […]

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BDN interviews Brzozowski, Rebar about keeping backyard chickens healthy

Richard Brzozowski, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension food system program administrator, and John Rebar, executive director of UMaine Extension, offered recommendations to the Bangor Daily News for an article about how to keep backyard chicken flocks healthy. Brzozowski advises developing and practicing an effective biosecurity plan. “You need to have these principles you follow […]

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