Cooperative Extension

Dill Interviewed for West Nile Virus Report

A Portland Press Herald article about a southern Maine school district’s decision to spray pesticides to protect children from possible West Nile Virus included comments from University of Maine Cooperative Extension pest management specialist Jim Dill, who called the decision a prudent proactive approach to the possible spreading of mosquito-borne diseases. Contact: George Manlove, (207) […]

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McConnon Comments about Fiscal Cliff

An article in My Generation, one of a group of KeepMEcurrent newspapers in southern Maine, included comments from University of Maine Cooperative Extension specialist and professor of economics Jim McConnon about the possibility of a fiscal cliff, or a return to another economic recession for the nation, if Congress fails to agree on extending some […]

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Plant Disease Expert in Press Herald Garden Column

A Portland Press Herald gardening column about insect pests and fungal blight included comments from University of Maine Cooperative Extension plant disease diagnostician Bruce Watt. Watt said although gladiolus rust fungus, which spoils gladiolus blossoms and leaves, hasn’t been reported in Maine yet, the good news is that gladiolus rust usually dies with the leaves […]

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Dill Comments on Summer’s Garden Slugs

An article in the Portland Press Herald about the proliferation of crop-damaging garden slugs this summer included comments from University of Maine Cooperative Extension pest management specialist Jim Dill, who offered suggestions to kill or discourage slugs, including placing shallow cans of beer or copper screens in the garden. Contact: George Manlove, (207) 581-3756

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Lichtenwalner West Nile Virus Advice Posted

The NickerNews.net website has quoted University of Maine Cooperative Extension veterinarian Anne Lichtenwalner in a report on mosquito-borne West Nile Virus, which can be fatal to horses, human and other animals. The article links to an Extension question and answer interview with Lichtenwalner, director of the UMaine Animal Health Laboratory, and her video about precautions […]

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Yarborough, Moran in MPBN Blueberry, Apple Report

The Maine Public Broadcasting Network interviewed University of Maine Cooperative Extension blueberry specialist David Yarborough about the status of Maine’s wild blueberry harvest and Extension fruit tree specialist Renae Moran about apple crops. Yarborough said this year’s blueberries will exceed last year’s harvest and is approaching 95 million pounds. Moran told MPBN that a late […]

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Fly Larvae Information Noted in Newspaper Story

A story on Foster.com’s Sanford News website about the report of fly larvae found on the skin of a nursing facility patient in Sanford included information from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s website. The story noted that larvae from houseflies develop within 12 hours of a female fly laying its eggs. Contact: Jessica Bloch, […]

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Yarborough in Newspaper Blueberry Crop Report

The Bangor Daily News interviewed University of Maine Cooperative Extension blueberry specialist David Yarborough for a report on this season’s bountiful wild blueberry harvest. Yarborough said he believes the crop will yield 100 million pounds, substantially up from the 83 million pounds from last year. Mainebiz published a summary of the BDN report. Contact: George […]

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Workshop to focus on growing seaweed

In Maine and elsewhere, aquaculturists, harvesters, researchers and those in the business of making products from marine macroalgae are increasingly interested in seaweed. This is due to some innovative research being conducted in the region, and because Maine now has the first and only commercial kelp aquaculture operation in the United States, Portland-based Ocean Approved […]

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Dill Interviewed on Late Blight Precautions

Jim Dill, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension pest management specialist, was interviewed by Channel 2 (WLBZ) about how gardeners can protect tomatoes and potatoes from late blight, a fungus that can kill fruits and vegetable plants. Dill said pesticides are available as a first line of defense, but once blight occurs, affected leaves must […]

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