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Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Announces Laura Graham as Land for Maine's Future Program Director
December 1, 2023 - Augusta, Maine - The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is pleased to announce Laura Graham as Land for Maine's Future Program (LMF) Director. Graham brings wide-ranging experience and knowledge of conservation easement and land acquisition transactions, including strategic project selection, supportive policy, and successful funding and implementation. Graham will assume her new role starting in early December. Continue Reading
DACF Announces Proposed Rules to Implement the PFAS Fund
November 30, 2023 - Augusta, ME - The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced today that it has initiated rulemaking to implement certain elements of the Fund to Address PFAS Contamination ("PFAS Fund"). The $60 million PFAS Fund was created by Governor Mills with bipartisan legislative support to provide financial and technical assistance to farmers impacted by PFAS contamination, purchase contaminated agricultural land from willing sellers, fund applied research, and support health-related initiatives. Continue Reading
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Welcomes Andrew Whitman as Climate and Forest Carbon Specialist
November 29, 2023 - Augusta, Maine - The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is pleased to announce the newest addition to its Forest Policy & Management Division, Andrew (Andy) Whitman, who will be stepping into the Climate and Forest Carbon Specialist role. Continue Reading
Send Holiday Cheer, Not Pests: Follow Out-Of-State Plant Health Regulations
November 21, 2023 - AUGUSTA - Maine residents cherish their holiday traditions, and for many, decorating with Maine-grown wreaths, trees, and decorative flora is a cherished part of the season. Another annual holiday tradition is shipping Maine's festive greenery to friends and family. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) emphasizes the importance of adhering to state laws and regulations to ensure the seamless transport of healthy plant materials, ultimately saving time, cutting costs, and preventing product loss. Continue Reading
Governor Mills Declares November 24 as "Maine Grown Christmas Tree Day"
November 20, 2023 - Augusta, MAINE - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced today that Governor Janet Mills has proclaimed Friday, November 24, 2023, as "Maine Grown Christmas Tree Day" in recognition of the contributions and economic impact of Maine's Christmas Tree industry. Continue Reading
University of Maine School of Forest Resources Receives Prestigious Austin Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award
November 16, 2023 - Augusta, Maine - In a ceremony at the Blaine House yesterday, Governor Janet Mills, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Commissioner Amanda Beal, Maine Forest Service (MFS) Director Patty Cormier, and Maine TREE Executive Director Logan Johnson, presented the prestigious 2023 Austin Wilkins Forest Stewardship Award to the University of Maine's School of Forest Resources (SFR) at the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences. Continue Reading
Maine Hunters for the Hungry Program Encourages Participation During National Wild Game Meat Donation Month
November 15, 2023 - As hunting season kicks into high gear and with November designated National Wild Game Meat Donation Month, the Maine Hunters for the Hungry Program (H4H) encourages hunters, landowners, and meat processors to contribute to the cause of alleviating hunger across the state. Continue Reading
Maine Dairy Processors Earn Funding from the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center Existing Dairy Processor Expansion Grant Program
November 8, 2023 - AUGUSTA, Maine - The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announced its Existing Dairy Processor Expansion Grants today, and Maine is well represented among the list of selected awardees. Maine processors set to share grants totaling more than $1.5 million include Balfour Farm, LLC, Casco Bay Butter Company, Inc., Cosmic Goat Farm and Creamery, and Gifford's Ice Cream. Continue Reading
Maine Awards $600,000 in Grants to Boost Specialty Crop Producers
October 29, 2023 - AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is proud to announce a significant boost to the agricultural sector with the awarding of Specialty Crop Block Program Grants (SCBGP) totaling over $600,000 to a diverse group of recipients including Farms For Food Equity, Maine Flower Collective, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Meeting House Herbs, and University of Maine professors, Dr. Seanna Annis, Dr. Jay Hao, Dr. Jennifer Perry, and Dr. Renae Moran. Each project is designed to catalyze growth within Maine's agricultural sectors while having a beneficial impact on multiple farm businesses. SCBG funding also supports innovative research to benefit specialty crop producers. Continue Reading
New Open Burning Law in Maine Requires Permits for Larger Campfires
October 24, 2023 - AUGUSTA - To enhance fire safety and prevent wildfires, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is implementing a new law that mandates burn permits for larger campfires. The law, LD 24, goes into effect on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, and will impact fires that exceed 3 feet in height and 3 feet in diameter that are not for debris disposal. Notably, permits for burning brush and wood debris remain unaffected and are still required under the existing regulations. The new law also makes it unlawful for burning outdoors during red flag warning days. Continue Reading
Maine Forest Products Week Celebrates the Vital Contributions of Maine's Forest Sector
October 23, 2023 - AUGUSTA - In honor of Maine Forest Products Week, held from October 23 to 28, 2023, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) and the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), with Professional Logging Contractors Northeast, and Maine Forest Products Council, have come together to celebrate and express a profound appreciation for the enduring contributions of Maine's forest sector businesses and their dedicated workforce. Continue Reading
Maine Receives $5 Million Federal Grant to Bolster PFAS Response Efforts
October 19, 2023 - AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced today that it has received a $5 million grant award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support the State's effort to address PFAS contamination. The award was made possible through the Federal Fiscal Year 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, introduced in the House by Congresswoman Pingree and supported by the Maine delegation. Continue Reading
Maine Issues Warning on Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus Cases
October 17, 2023 - AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Division of Animal Health and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) have confirmed new cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in several emu flocks and multiple horses across Piscataquis, Penobscot, Somerset, and Waldo counties in the past few weeks. A West Nile Virus (WNV) case has been identified in a horse from York County. Routine and enhanced mosquito surveillance has also pinpointed EEE in Kennebec and Penobscot Counties. Continue Reading
Solar Energy Development and High-Value Agricultural Land: Request for Stakeholder Input
October 6, 2023 - Continue Reading
Eastern Equine Encephalitis Confirmed in Non-Commercial Farm Animals in Piscataquis County
September 22, 2023 - AUGUSTA, Maine - Animal Health officials with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) are working closely with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) to respond to a positive result and three presumed positive results for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) detected in non-commercial farm animals in Piscataquis County. The animals died last week and were evaluated by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Diagnostic and Research Laboratory. This case is the first of animals contracting EEE in Maine that officials are aware of since 2019. Continue Reading