One of Maine’s biggest potato farmers got hit with a $10,000 fine for failing to offer packing jobs to American workers before hiring temporary foreign workers. Green Thumb Farms, which operates a 2,400 acre potato, corn, bean and turfgrass farm in Fryeburg, hired temporary foreign workers to pack potatoes without first trying to recruit American […]
agriculture
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Fryeburg Fair: "There's nothing quite like it'
FRYEBURG — For 10-year-old Mackenzie Ramsdell, there’s no question that the best part of the Fryeburg Fair is “getting to show the animals.” Her twin sister, Madelyn, added that hanging with their friends was pretty sweet as well. The sisters, from Limington, said Monday they’ll be at the fair night and day with their family’s […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
For Poliquin, 'fresh' should include produce that's frozen, canned, pureed or dried
In a bid to “give our children greater access to healthy fruits and vegetables,” U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin aims to gut the government’s successful Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program by adding produce that’s frozen, canned, pureed or dried. The proposal would allow almost any form of fruits and vegetables to count under the initiative created […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine blueberry prices dropped to 10-year low in 2016
DEBLOIS (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Maine’s wild blueberry growers saw another decrease in crop value in 2016. Wild blueberries are one of Maine’s most recognized agriculture products. Production of the blueberries has been high in recent years, and crept up a little less than one percent to almost 102 million pounds last […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage says no to 'noxious' spinach bill
AUGUSTA — Water spinach sounds like something Popeye would appreciate. But Gov. Paul LePage has a different take on the vegetable. A tasty green that’s long been a staple in Southeast Asia and Brazil, water spinach is listed as a federal noxious weed under the U.S. Plant Protection Act. As one of 112 federally recognized […]
Posted inConnections
Cuban agriculture, solidarity topic of CEBE Earth Day presentation
NORWAY — The Center for Ecology-Based Economy will celebrate Earth Day with a program that covers organic and low-input agriculture in Cuba and also solidarity with Cuba. The Let Cuba Live Committee of Maine is a co-sponsor. The event will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 23, at The Commons, CEBE, 447 Main St. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine agriculture chief writes Question 1 will hurt natural resources
BANGOR — Maine’s commissioner of agriculture says a plan to legalize marijuana in the state will burden law enforcement and negatively impact natural resources here. Voters will decide if they want to legalize recreational marijuana use in Maine on Nov. 8. Commissioner Walt Whitcomb says the referendum targets rural areas of the state where law […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine potato harvest, delayed by heat, gets underway
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Maine is known for fickle weather, but potato farmers have little to complain about this season. The harvest is underway in earnest this week with sunny skies in Aroostook County, which is home to the vast majority of Maine’s 52,000 acres of potatoes. Temperatures in the 80s late last week had […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine kicks off farmers market season
AUGUSTA — Maine’s agriculture department says the number of farmers markets in the state is on the rise. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry says there are more than 125 farmers markets in Maine, up from 100 in 2012 and 63 in 2007. Commissioner Walt Whitcomb will visit the Viles Arboretum Farmers Market in […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Maine lawmakers consider looser raw milk regulations
AUGUSTA— Maine agricultural officials say they support easing license requirements for some dairy farmers who sell raw milk directly to consumers. The Legislature is considering two bills that would loosen regulatory requirements on raw milk. The Portland Press Herald reports the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry quality assurance and regulations director Ronald Dyer […]