Maine has lost one-third of its commercial dairy farms since 2020. Emergency legislation signed by the governor calls for a task force to identify ways to keep the heritage industry healthy for decades to come.
farming
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Politics
Committee advances proposal to raise minimum wage for Maine farmworkers
The Committee on Labor and Housing passed an amended version of Gov. Janet Mills’ bill to raise the minimum wage for farmworkers to $14.15 per hour, the same rate as that for other workers.
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Posted inKennebec Journal, Local & State, News
Maine Maple Sunday Weekend at Chase Farm in Whitefield is another way for farm to get by
Maine Maple Sunday Weekend features numerous Maine farms open to the public for demonstrations and tastings of maple treats.
Posted inBusiness
U.S. farms increasingly rely on contract workers who are acutely exposed to climate extremes
Because of the terms of their employment, laborers can face challenges voicing concerns about their working conditions, and are more likely to be on the front lines of intense weather.
Posted inCommunity
Farmers head to University of Maine at Farmington for resource and networking day
With the help of the Greater Franklin County Food Council and UMaine Cooperative Extension, farmers from all over Franklin County met at UMF on Tuesday, Feb. 27, to share information and make connections.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
There’s no offseason for Maine farmers as they strive to survive the winter months
In a challenging landscape for the mostly family-run operations, many use the winter months to enhance their survival, finding ways to boost production or diversifying what they offer.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Pingree, agriculture secretary discuss storm and climate impacts with Maine farmers, loggers
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack held a roundtable discussion in Portland in the wake of the Dec. 18 storm.
Posted inBusiness, Nation & World
War plunged Israel’s agricultural heartlands into crisis, raising fears for its farming future
In an effort to fill labor gaps by those who are no longer allowed to work or have evacuated, the Agriculture Ministry has said it will extend temporary work visas and give bonuses of $500 a month.
Posted inKennebec Journal, Local & State, News
Photos: Herd on the street in Pittston as cows, sheep seek greener pasture
Volunteers, and sheriff’s deputies, gathered in Pittston Tuesday morning to help Morton Brook Ranch owner Christian Jensen move his herd of 11 cattle and about 45 sheep across Wiscasset Road. Jensen said it was the second year he has used several neighbors’ hayfields as a rotational grazing pasture for his animals. Having the herd trim the grass and spread its manure as fertilizer would get the crop off to a good start next spring, he said. All photos by Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
Posted inFood & Dining
The winners and losers of Maine’s 2023 growing season
Area farmers faced unusual weather conditions this summer, from a late spring frost to persistent hard rains. Based on their reports, here are the crops that fared the best and worst in Maine (so far).