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).
Maine agriculture
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Soggy, late hay harvest could further imperil struggling farms
Wet weather has prevented farmers from harvesting hay, leaving them with costly or unappealing options to feed their livestock.
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Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Lawmakers tour Maine before negotiating next federal farm bill
Maine needs federal policy to be flexible enough to support small specialty farmers, keep food banks full and provide relief to farmers struggling with PFAS contamination, lawmakers are told at a U.S. Congress agricultural field hearing.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
State adopts $70 million plan to help farmers deal with PFAS contamination
The fund will dedicate $30.3 million in grants to get farmers back on their feet, $21.5 million in compensation for contaminated land, $7.3 million for medical needs and $11.2 million for scientific research.
Posted inBusiness, Health, Local & State, News
A forever farm is no match for forever chemicals
A fourth-generation farmer running an organic dairy farm in Fairfield lost his livelihood when his milk and lands tested hot for PFAS contamination. ‘It got us good.’
Posted inLocal & State
Cost of helping farmers manage PFAS is rising, now at $81 million
A five-year plan to help farmers includes $37 million for direct financial support, $25 million to buy contaminated farms, $11 million for agricultural research, and $7 million on medical testing and monitoring.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Lawmakers move to delay start of first-in-the-nation PFAS law
A legislative committee has endorsed a bill to delay the deadline for reporting the presence of PFAS in products sold in Maine.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Businesses ask lawmakers to relax state PFAS ban
They say the new law is well-intentioned but too broad, too aggressive and too costly for them to follow. Environmental groups are calling on state legislators to defend the PFAS law as it stands.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Ranchers and farmers in Maine face bottleneck getting meat products to consumers
Bill in U.S. Senate could make it easier to sell meats locally; owners of a mid-sized ranch offer their views, concerns.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
State considers $5.5 million bailout for Maine dairy industry
Over the last 2 years, Maine has lost a quarter of its dairy farms to runaway electricity, fuel and fertilizer costs, and skyrocketing interest rates. Only 161 remain in operation.