PORTLAND — The number of Maine farms has grown and continues to lead the New England states, while the farm total nationwide has dropped, the federal government said Thursday. Maine had 8,174 farms in 2012, an increase of half-a-percentage point from five years ago, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture 2012 census. The 10-year trend […]
agriculture
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
‘Garden buddies’ Hands-on science
This is the second story in a series about Edward Little High School teacher Kim Finnerty’s agriculture class. The first story was published Sept. 5. AUBURN — During their chemistry class Thursday, Edward Little High School students took a field trip to Park Avenue Elementary School. There, the big kids taught the little kids about […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Farm bill battle could affect milk prices
WASHINGTON — The fight over renewing the nation’s farm bill has centered on cuts to the $80 billion-a-year food stamp program. But there could be unintended consequences if no agreement is reached: higher milk prices. Members of the House and Senate are scheduled to begin long-awaited negotiations on the five-year, roughly $500 billion bill this […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Backyard Farms ready to bring back workers
MADISON — Backyard Farms, the commercial tomato grower that was forced this past summer to rip up half a million tomato plants, has brought back nearly half its furloughed workers and expects to have tomatoes back on grocery store shelves by the beginning of 2014. The company, which last year produced about 27 million pounds […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
New class teaches chemistry through agriculture
AUBURN — In the woods behind East Auburn Community School on Wednesday morning, Land Lab teacher Jim Chandler told high school chemistry students what a tree-thinning done this summer will achieve. “Pine trees are shade-intolerant,” Chandler said. “If you have a deep pine forest, you’ll never see baby pine trees coming up.” Pines need sun […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine bees struggling to make honey
PORTLAND (AP) — This summer’s honey harvest could end up being one of the worst in Maine memory, but beekeepers are hoping for a better fall. Tony Jadczak, the state apiarist and bee inspector, blames the weather. He said two weeks of heavy rain in July kept bees dormant in the hives. That was followed […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Pingree stands up for farmers while blasting proposed food safety regulations
AUGUSTA — Proposed regulations for fruit and vegetable producers would cripple Maine’s small farms and cause many to close, according to farmers speaking Monday to federal officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Farmers called the rules, proposed as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act, a “game-changing piece of legislation,” compliance with which […]