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Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Announces Jo D. Saffeir as New Deputy Commissioner
September 11, 2025 - Augusta - Commissioner Amanda Beal today announced the appointment of Jo D. Saffeir as Deputy Commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF). Saffeir joins Deputy Commissioner Nancy McBrady in leading the department's work alongside Commissioner Beal. Continue Reading
Maine Celebrates a Century of Tradition at The Big E
September 10, 2025 - AUGUSTA, Maine -Maine will again be open for business on the Avenue of States at the Eastern States Exposition, home of The Big E, in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Since 1925, the Maine Building has welcomed millions of visitors to experience the state's farms, forests, fisheries, artisans, and entrepreneurs, all under one iconic roof. Continue Reading
Free Day at Maine State Parks for Library Card Holders on September 20
September 8, 2025 - Augusta, Maine - September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, and thanks to a proclamation by Governor Janet Mills, it is also officially Maine Library Card Sign-Up Month. To mark the occasion, the Maine State Library and Maine State Parks are partnering to offer a special day of free admission to participating state parks. Continue Reading
Urgent Call to Action: Help Stop the Spread of Japanese Stiltgrass in Maine
August 28, 2025 - AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is urging Mainers to act against Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), an invasive plant that poses a serious threat to the state's forests, wetlands, and communities. Continue Reading
Labor Day Weekend Patrols Planned on Tumbledown Mountain
August 27, 2025 - Augusta, Maine - As summer winds down and hikers take to the trails for Labor Day weekend, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) and the Maine Forest Service (MFS) remind visitors to Tumbledown Mountain that Rangers may be on site to promote safe, responsible recreation. Continue Reading
Maine and Massachusetts Agriculture Commissioners Build Cross-Border Ties in Prince Edward Island
August 19, 2025 - AUGUSTA, MAINE - Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Commissioner Amanda Beal, DACF Director of Policy & Community Engagement Emily Horton, and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle traveled to Prince Edward Island last week to meet with Agriculture Minister Bloyce Thompson and other provincial leaders, reinforcing the strong partnership between New England and Canada's Maritimes. Continue Reading
UMaine Extension Tick Lab researchers confirm presence of invasive Asian longhorned tick in Maine
August 19, 2025 - ORONO, Maine - The University of Maine and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) have confirmed the presence of an invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) in the state for the first time. Continue Reading
Maine Forest Service Urges Caution as Wildfire Danger Remains HIGH to VERY HIGH Statewide
August 14, 2025 - Augusta, Maine - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Maine Forest Service (MFS) is urging all residents and visitors to take immediate precautions as wildfire danger remains elevated across the state. Much of central and coastal Maine is at VERY HIGH fire danger. Continue Reading
Registration Opens for Free Pesticide Disposal Events Set for October
August 7, 2025 - Augusta, Maine - Do you have unwanted pesticides? Maine's Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program offers a safe, free way for homeowners and family-owned farms to dispose of outdated or unused pesticides. One-day collection events will be held in Presque Isle, Bangor, Augusta, and Portland this October. Continue Reading
This weekend: Experience Maine's Agricultural Heritage at 2025 Open Farm Day, July 26 & 27
July 22, 2025 - Augusta, Maine - Real Maine and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry invite the public to experience the diversity of Maine agriculture during the annual Open Farm Day, taking place Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27, 2025. Continue Reading
Step Back in Time to the 17th Century at Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site
July 10, 2025 - New Harbor, ME-The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Bureau of Parks and Lands invites the public to step into 17th-century Maine during "17th Century Days" at Colonial Pemaquid State Historic Site. This family-friendly event, organized by Site Manager Neill De Paoli, takes place Saturday, July 12, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday, July 13, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 28 Colonial Pemaquid Dr., New Harbor, ME 04554 (off Route 130, 13 miles south of Damariscotta). Continue Reading
Maine State Park Update + 10 Parks to Explore This Summer
June 26, 2025 - We're writing with a quick update and some great travel tips. First, the update: Cobscook Bay and Aroostook State Park campgrounds remain temporarily closed for major improvements. Crews are building modern, accessible bathroom facilities and upgrading underground water and utility systems, part of our ongoing commitment to offering safe, high-quality outdoor experiences. We do not have a re-open date to share and want to apologize if this construction work has thrown a curveball into your camping season. Continue Reading
More Than 30 Maine Food and Farm Businesses Awarded Grants Through Resilient Food Systems Equipment Program
June 9, 2025 - AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) today announced that more than 30 projects across the state will receive funding through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Equipment-Only Program. Continue Reading
Billboards in Massachusetts and New Hampshire Urge Campers: Keep Maine Beautiful
May 21, 2025 - AUGUSTA, Maine - Just in time for the summer camping season, travelers from Massachusetts and New Hampshire heading to Maine will start seeing bold, eye-catching billboards with a simple message: Keep Campfires Wicked Good - Use Local Firewood. Continue Reading
Statement from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Animal Welfare Program Regarding Ongoing Investigations
May 21, 2025 - We understand and appreciate the passion many people feel about animal welfare. Our team is deeply committed to the health and safety of animals across Maine. We are currently investigating a reported situation involving horses in Hampden. However, due to strict confidentiality laws that govern active investigations, we are legally prohibited from sharing case-specific details at this time. These protections exist to ensure the integrity of enforcement actions and potential legal proceedings. Continue Reading