School of Food and Agriculture

Progressive Dairy highlights industry advances at Witter Farm

A feature story in Progressive Dairy highlighted the technological advances at the University of Maine’s Witter Farm, a part of the Maine Agriculture and Forest Experiment Station (MAFES). Investments were made toward a new robotic milking barn that is not only helping with cow comfort, but also broadening the scope of experiential learning students are […]

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Northern Light taps UMaine researcher for latest podcast on PFAS

Farms in Maine have been identified as critical places to study the health effects of a group of chemicals known as PFAS. Ellen Mallory, one of many University of Maine faculty members working together on a variety of PFAS research projects, sat down with Tim Doak, chief environmental sustainability officer at Northern Light Health (NLH), […]

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Maine media cover Dairy Month celebration at Witter Farm

The Bangor Daily News, Mainebiz, WABI (Channel 5 in Bangor), WFVX (FOX 22/ABC 7 in Bangor) and WGME (FOX 23 in Portland) covered the kick off to Dairy Month hosted at the University of Maine’s Witter Farm. Gov. Janet Mills, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Amanda Beal, UMaine President Joan […]

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Camire discusses how fiber can reduce colon cancer risk with HuffPost

HuffPost interviewed Mary Ellen Camire, professor of food science and human nutrition, about the health benefits of fiber and how it can help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Fiber is often prebiotic, meaning it’s food for probiotic bacteria, Camire said. Probiotics help rebuild and balance people’s microbiome. “When the bacteria get a nice fiber […]

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Press Herald interviews Calder on home baking industry

The Portland Press Herald interviewed Beth Calder, professor of food science in the University of Maine School of Food and Agriculture and University of Maine Cooperative Extension food science specialist, on home-based food businesses. “It always helps to have another set of eyes, to have an inspector come in to take a look at their […]

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PFAS research at UMaine receives $2.25M from the state

Researchers at the University of Maine have been awarded a total of $2.25 million in funding from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) to study a group of chemicals known as PFAS in order to help commercial farmers manage its presence.  The UMaine awards, which are directed to faculty members associated with […]

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Media highlight state grants for UMaine PFAS research

Environmental Health News and WGME (Channel 13 in Portland) highlighted the $2.25 million in funding awarded to researchers at the University of Maine from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry to study a group of chemicals known as PFAS. Five of seven awarded projects included research proposals from UMaine faculty.

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Press Herald interviews Camire on seaweed consumption

In an article about consumer reactions to seaweed, the Portland Press Herald interviewed Mary Ellen Camire, professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Maine, on food neophobia — the fear of trying new foods. “Americans tend to rely on things they’re familiar with — the meat and potatoes crowd, the kids […]

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Martha Stewart Living interviews Singh on strawberry plant care

Martha Stewart Living spoke with University of Maine assistant professor of horticulture Ankit Singh on why you should never grow strawberries next to spinach plants. “They harbor fungal diseases and pests that also affect spinach,” Singh said. “This can increase the chance of fungal leaf spot and soil-borne pathogens.”

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A photo of Maddie Closson and Samantha Martin

Maddie Closson and Samantha Martin: Leaders on the farm

From the classroom to the barn, University of Maine third-year students Maddie Closson and Samantha Martin lead the herd for the Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AVS) program as farmworkers, teaching assistants and interns.  Each week, Closson and Martin travel to Witter Farm to work in the equine and dairy cattle barns, greeted by the sounds […]

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