Posted inLewiston-Auburn

Auburn mayor creates new committee for agricultural zone

AUBURN — Mayor Jason Levesque announced Wednesday the formation of a mayor’s “action group” on agriculture and resource protection. The announcement follows months of discussions over the future of the city’s large agricultural zone, and pressure to act on previous recommendations. The new group comes after a previous committee spent six months working in tandem with […]

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Posted inEncore, sj-web

Monmouth Fair to start Wednesday

MONMOUTH — The Monmouth Fair will run this week from Wednesday through Saturday, Aug. 1 to 4, at the Monmouth Fairgrounds, 79 Academy Road.  This is a small, family-oriented agricultural fair with midway, animal exhibits, crafts and animal pull events. Major events will include live music, 4-H events and exhibits, horse and ox pulling and […]

Posted inBusiness

Got milk? Maybe not if it’s from an almond or soybean

NEW YORK (AP) — Soy and almond drinks that bill themselves as “milk” may need to consider alternative language after a top regulator suggested the agency may start cracking down on use of the term. The Food and Drug Administration signaled plans to start enforcing a federal standard that defines “milk” as coming from the […]

Posted inLewiston-Auburn

Auburn considers future of agricultural land

AUBURN — The debate over how to best take advantage of the city’s vast agricultural zone continued Monday as the City Council reviewed the results of a recent study and committee recommendations. But even the chief recommendation from the ad-hoc committee made up of local farmers — to create a permanent agriculture commission — received […]

Posted inBusiness, sj-web

Maine blueberry value tumbles to lowest point in more than 30 years

The value of Maine wild blueberries sank to its lowest point in almost three decades last year, as growers struggle with competition from cheaper Canadian producers and a thriving cultivated blueberry industry. Maine berries fetched 26 cents per pound last year, the lowest price since 1985, according to University of Maine data. The estimated value […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Bruce Poliquin hails House farm bill that Chellie Pingree opposes

An $867 billion farm bill that narrowly passed the U.S. House on Thursday includes two provisions pushed by Maine Republican Bruce Poliquin, who represents the largely rural 2nd District. At Poliquin’s urging, the measure includes work requirements for many adults to receive food aid and a provision to replace the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program […]

Posted inMaine, sj-web

Former senator blasts Bruce Poliquin’s push for fresh produce substitutes

The retired U.S. senator from Iowa who created the national Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is charging Maine Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin with trying to destroy it. Former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, who served for three decades until his 2015 retirement, said, “This character from Maine” is so determined to let schools buy more […]