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Mills Administration Announces Conversion of Abandoned Railroad Bed to Multi-use Trail

November 30, 2021 - The Mills Administration announced today that an abandoned Maine Central Railroad Company corridor is being converted to a new multi-use trail. The trail, known as the Madison Branch, spans 32 miles across Kennebec and Somerset Counties and will become a major connector to the Maine Interconnected Trail System (ITS) and Maine ATV Trail System (MATS). The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) closed last week on the Madison Branch purchase from Pan Am Railways at the cost of just over a million dollars. Continue Reading

Mills Administration Announces 2022 Farm to Food Bank Project Award

November 22, 2021 - The Mills Administration announced today that nearly $38,000 will be utilized by a Maine organization to continue its efforts to reduce food waste by providing food to food pantries to feed Maine people. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) has been awarded a $37,828 USDA Food and Nutrition Service Farm to Food Bank Project Award for work in 2022. This is the second year DACF has received Farm to Food Bank funding, which is part of The Emergency Food Assistance Program. Continue Reading

Send Holiday Cheer, Not Pests: Follow Out-Of-State Plant Health Regulations

November 22, 2021 - Many Maine residents' holiday celebrations are not complete without decorating with Maine-grown wreaths, trees, and other decorative plant material. Sharing this tradition by sending wreaths and trees to our friends and families across the country can help us feel more connected even if we can't be together this holiday season. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) wants to remind Mainer's sending holiday greenery that they can save time, money and prevent product loss by shipping only healthy plant material. Continue Reading

Commissioner Beal Announces Julie-Marie Bickford as Maine Milk Commission Executive Director

November 17, 2021 - Augusta - Today, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Commissioner Amanda Beal announced Julie-Marie Bickford as Maine Milk Commission Executive Director effective December 1. Bickford is assuming the role previously held by Tim Drake, who retired after 13 years of service. Bickford will be responsible for the administration of the Commission and be DACF's primary liaison to the dairy industry. Continue Reading

Mills Administration Announces 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grants

November 15, 2021 - The Mills Administration announced today that it is awarding a total of nearly $500,000 to seven Maine organizations to invest in innovative technologies and grow new markets for Maine's specialty crops. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is awarding $492,039 to Blue Barn LLC, Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District, Daybreak Growers Alliance, Maine Flower Collective, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Maine Potato Board, and the University of Maine for projects that will expand research and innovation and strengthen agricultural sectors in Maine. Continue Reading

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Secures $500,000 to Bolster Stress and Mental Health Assistance for Maine Farmers

November 10, 2021 - AUGUSTA- Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Commissioner Amanda Beal recently announced $500,000 in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding to provide stress assistance and mental health resources for agricultural producers across the state. The DACF received the grant through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Continue Reading

Roque Bluffs State Park Expanded with Pond Cove Island Acquisition

November 9, 2021 - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is excited to announce that the Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) has acquired Pond Cove Island. The 50-acre Pond Cove Island, located in Englishman Bay, Washington County will be added to Roque Bluffs State Park. The island is located roughly a third of a mile from the mainland. It features nearly two miles of winding shoreline, gentle stone and cobble beaches suitable for landing kayaks and small boats, and open views of the Atlantic Ocean. Continue Reading

Judy East Named Maine Bureau of Resource Information and Land Use Planning Director, Stacie Beyer Becomes Land Use Planning Commission Acting Executive Director

November 3, 2021 - AUGUSTA - Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal recently announced Judith (Judy) East as the department's Bureau of Resource Information and Land Use Planning Director. East was most recently the department's Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) Executive Director. LUPC Planning Manager, Stacie Beyer, was selected to succeed East as LUPC Executive Director in an acting capacity. Both positions took effect on November 1, 2021. Continue Reading

Commentary: Maine needs robust Forest Legacy Program funding

October 28, 2021 - Continue Reading

Protect Maine's Forests and Fields - Dont Purchase or Use Bittersweet or Multiflora Rose in Fall Decorations

October 15, 2021 - The Maine Department of Agricultural, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) urges Mainers to beware of invasive plants that may be used in wreaths, garlands, and other fall decorations. Continue Reading

Maine Online Burn Permits Become Free of Charge

October 15, 2021 - LD 268, "An Act To Eliminate Online Burn Permit Fees for All Areas of the State," sponsored by Senator Jim Dill, takes effect at midnight on Sunday, October 17, when open burning permits obtained online become free of charge. The online burn permit system is made possible by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Forest Service. Continue Reading

Mills Administration Announces First Call for Proposals Since 2017 for Land for Maine's Future Program

October 8, 2021 - The Mills Administration today announced a call for proposals for conservation and recreation projects through the Lands for Maine's Future Program (LMF). Continue Reading

Public Help Sought Identifying Invasive Stiltgrass and Perennial Pepperweed

October 6, 2021 - Biologists from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) are asking for the public's help looking out for two severely invasive plants: Stiltgrass (Microstegium vinimeum) and Perennial Pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium). The plants are only known from a handful of sites in Maine, and the goal is to eliminate them from the state. The public can help by looking for the plants and reporting any suspected locations. Continue Reading

Maine Forest Products Council Announces Maine Forest Service District Forester Dan Jacobs as 2021 Outstanding Forester Award Recipient

September 24, 2021 - Continue Reading

Maine Collecting Unwanted Pesticides Free of Charge