Lily Calderwood, Extension wild blueberry specialist and assistant professor of horticulture at the University of Maine School of Food and Agriculture, spoke to NBC Boston about the impact of climate change on Maine’s wild blueberry industry. Calderwood said that climate change related impacts like seasonal drought and spring frost events during bloom can negatively affect […]
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In an explainer on agrovoltaics, or adding solar energy developments to agricultural lands, HowStuffWorks noted that one of the largest agrivoltaics sites in the U.S. is a blueberry farm in Rockport, Maine. Researchers from University of Maine Cooperative Extension are evaluating the impact of the installation and will also see how the crops fare under […]
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The Bangor Daily News interviewed Eric Gallandt, professor of weed ecology at the University of Maine, about how climate change will impact weed management for growers in Maine. “Organic farming and ecological weed control is an interesting mix. On the one hand you are seeing these periods of wet conditions hitting when you need to […]
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Morning Ag Clips and Bangor Daily News reported that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has awarded $668,456 to a team of University of Maine researchers studying new ways to reduce spoilage in high-moisture hay, and how spoilage processes differ in alfalfa relative to grass hays.
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Morning Ag Clips and Bangor Daily News reported that University of Maine researchers will study how wild blueberry growers can use biochar, charcoal-like material derived from the pyrolysis of wood, to increase soil moisture and aid in the crop’s ability to be resilient to drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Services […]
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The Bangor Daily News interviewed Beth Calder, food science specialist with University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the School of Food and Agriculture, about safely preparing, serving and storing Thanksgiving dinner.
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The Bangor Daily News reported that Rachel Schattman, assistant professor of sustainable agriculture at the University of Maine, presented at a forum organized by the Bangor Daily News and Maine Farmland Trust about removing toxic “forever chemicals” from the environment. Schattman is in the early stages of research on how PFAS chemicals are absorbed by […]
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Morning Ag Clips reported that the University of Maine has launched a new Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Food Systems that will train students with a passion for sustainability to help solve complex socio-ecological problems pertaining to food production and access. The program will prepare students for careers in supply chain management, food production and […]
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Reuters interviewed Rachel Schattman, assistant professor of sustainable agriculture at the University of Maine, about rain causing unprecedented levels of erosion in the Midwest. Schattman said the U.S. Midwest and Northeast were especially vulnerable to land erosion because they were receiving more extreme amounts of rain than normal, a trend expected to continue through the […]
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University of Maine researchers and their colleagues are investigating whether broccoli sprouts can help prevent and treat inflammatory bowel disease in humans. Through multiple studies, Yanyan Li, assistant professor of human nutrition; Sue Ishaq, assistant professor of animal and veterinary sciences; and researchers from other institutions will explore how human gut microbes could use a […]
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