School of Food and Agriculture

Media advance Calderwood, Koehler, Birkel future of farming talk

The Bangor Daily News and Downeastmaine.com promoted a free online presentation sponsored by the University of Maine George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions and facilitated by Lily Calderwood, UMaine Cooperative Extension wild blueberry specialist and assistant professor of horticulture, 3-4 p.m. Oct. 5.  “The Future of Farming: Building Tools for Tech Savvy Farmers,” will […]

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Yarborough speaks with BBC news about limited wild blueberry crop

David Yarborough, professor emeritus of horticulture at the University of Maine, spoke with BBC News about the 2020 wild blueberry crop in Maine, and challenges wild blueberry farmers face. The crop, picked throughout August, will be limited this year, said Yarborough, also a professor emeritus wild blueberry specialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. […]

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News Center notes biofuels processing in piece about Maine, Finland forest industries

News Center Maine discussed the University of Maine converting waste from pulp processing into jet fuel and other petroleum products in a story about the Maine forestry industry learning from Finland how to evolve. UMaine houses the Forest Bioproducts Research Institute, which aspires to build research infrastructure dedicated to facilitating a forest-based biorefinery in Maine […]

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Islander advances fermentation study 

The Mount Desert Islander advanced a university study in which Mainers 18 years and older are invited to answer questions and watch a short video about safe pickle fermentation practices. For additional information, contact Jacob Rich at jacob.rich@maine.edu or 781.475.3862. 

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Daily Bulldog promotes pickle fermentation survey 

The Daily Bulldog posted a media release announcing that researchers are seeking Maine residents at least 18 years old to answer questions and watch a short video about safe pickle fermentation practices. The 25-minute research survey is online. For more information, contact Jacob Rich at jacob.rich@maine.edu, 781.475.3862.

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Media report on blueberry health benefit research

Morning Ag Clips posted a media release about University of Maine scientists working to identify concentrations of specific wild blueberry polyphenols — bioactive compounds that naturally occur in certain plants — that influence cell migration, angiogenesis and inflammation, as well as how they can be applied in clinical settings. The findings advance professor Dorothy Klimis-Zacas’ […]

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Take part in survey, learn to safely make fermented pickles 

Do you make fermented pickles at home, or do you want to learn how? If so, University of Maine researchers are seeking Maine residents at least 18 years old to answer questions and watch a short video about safe fermentation practices. Jacob Rich is the study’s principal investigator. The UMaine graduate student in food science […]

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Calderwood speaks with Good Fruit Grower about dealing with spotted wing drosophila

Good Fruit Grower magazine interviewed Lily Calderwood, University of Maine Cooperative Extension wild blueberry specialist and assistant professor of horticulture, about dealing with the spotted wing drosophila (SWD) when growing blueberries. Calderwood says growers in Maine harvest blueberries earlier than in years’ past in response to SWD. The insect peaks in mid or late August, […]

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BDN interviews Lichtenwalner about unexpected roosters among flocks

The Bangor Daily News interviewed Anne Lichtenwalner about what chicken owners can do if there’s an unexpected rooster in their flocks. When purchasing a batch of chicks, even those advertised as female, some buyers end up with roosters because they can be accidentally mixed together, according to the article. “The best thing anyone can do […]

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Wild blueberries

Study finds wild blueberry extracts influence blood vessel formation

When the human body sustains injury, cells spring into action. New blood vessels emerge through a process called angiogenesis, and cells migrate in a coordinated campaign of healing. The ability to control these mechanisms has the potential to advance therapies ranging from cancer to wound treatment. Polyphenols, a type of bioactive compounds that naturally occurs […]

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