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Public Comments on the Maine Forest Carbon Task Force Draft Report
August 31, 2021 - Maine's Forest Carbon Task Force invites public feedback by September 17 on possible strategies outlined in its draft report. Created by Executive Order, the task force was recommended by "Maine Won't Wait," the state's new four-year climate action plan. The task force aims to develop a voluntary program for small-to-medium size woodland owners in Maine who want to utilize their land for long-term carbon storage, a process known as carbon sequestration. The Task Force is co-chaired by Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal and the Governor's Legislative Director Tom Abello. Continue Reading
Maine Slows Spread of Emerald Ash Borer with Continued Ash Movement Restrictions
August 30, 2021 - Emergency Order announced to restrict movement of ash tree products and hardwood firewood from additional areas of Oxford County. Continue Reading
Governor Mills and Commissioner Beal Pledge to Assist Maine Organic Dairy Farms In Wake Of Danone Decision to Not Renew Milk Contracts with 14 Maine Farms
August 25, 2021 - AUGUSTA - After Danone, the owner of Horizon Organic, notified 14 Maine organic dairy farms that the global brand intends not to renew contracts for milk with them and other farms across New England, Governor Janet Mills and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal released a following statement today pledging to assist the 14 Maine farms. Continue Reading
Maine loggers and timber haulers could benefit from the Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (PATHH)
August 25, 2021 - Maine loggers and timber haulers could benefit from the Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (PATHH) relief fund of up to $200 million just announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Services Agency (FSA). Continue Reading
Maine National Guard and Maine Forest Service Host Wildland Fire ENOP Training to Increase Coordination Among Agencies and Personnel
August 19, 2021 - BOG BROOK COVE - New England-based wildland firefighters recently gathered at the Maine National Guard's Bog Brook Training Facility in western Maine for interagency engine operators (ENOP) training to increase wildland fire response and management and coordination among regional National Guard wildland fire personnel and partner organizations. Continue Reading
Commissioner Beal Praises Maine Forest Service Firefighters and Support Personnel Assisting with Western Wildfires
August 16, 2021 - "Our department takes great pride in the Maine Forest Service wildland firefighters and personnel who have chosen to travel west to help battle raging wildfires. I invite all of Maine to join me expressing appreciation for our Rangers, and in keeping them and everyone impacted by these fires in their thoughts during this challenging time," - Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal Continue Reading
Commissioner Amanda Beal Announces 2021 Agricultural Development Grants
August 10, 2021 - Commissioner Amanda Beal and the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Agriculture Resource Development Division (ARD) announced $248,757 in Agriculture Development Grants (ADG) to innovative Maine businesses. ARD oversees Maine's ADG program, which supports market research, promotion, and testing and demonstrating new technologies. ARD has awarded nearly two million dollars in ADG grants to Maine agricultural businesses in the past five years. Continue Reading
Animals Surrendered to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Animal Welfare Program
July 28, 2021 - At the initial possession hearing for the animals seized Wednesday, July 14, in Sanford, the owner surrendered custody of all but two dogs and two cats to the State. The owner acknowledged an inability to care for the animals and received a lifetime animal possession ban. The owner can ask the court to amend the ban in five years. No charges will be filed. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Animal Welfare Program (AWP) is pleased with this outcome. Continue Reading
Maine Forestry Museum Inducts Four Trailblazing Women Into Hall of Fame
July 22, 2021 - The Maine Forestry Museum honored four Hall of Fame inductees during their recent Logging Festival Days in Rangeley. The 2021 inductees are the first women to receive this honor. Inductees for 2021 include Mary Dunham of Avon; Sarah Medina of Dixmont; Patricia Quinn of Norridgewock; and Patty Cormier of Farmington, who also serves as Maine's State Forester and directs the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Bureau of Forestry. Continue Reading
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry announces resources to help foodservice businesses affected by supply chain bottlenecks
July 15, 2021 - To assist business owners facing food supply disruptions, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) has compiled a new resource highlighting wholesale procurement channels available for agricultural and seafood products, including distributors, cooperatives, and direct-to-producer options. The Maine Wholesale Foodservice Distributors for Institutional Buyers list was also created in response to food supply issues facing some Maine summer camps and restaurants. Continue Reading
Second Specialty Crop Block Grant Request for Applications Announced
July 9, 2021 - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Bureau of Agriculture seeks Specialty Crop Block Grants (SCBG) program applications from Maine's specialty crop industry to present for funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is the second Request for Applications (RFA) this year, made possible due to the provision of H.R. 133 (the Consolidated Appropriations Act) Stimulus Funding by the USDA. Continue Reading
Maine Forest Service Announces a Second Round of Applications for Invasive Plant Control Plans for Public and Private Woodland Owners
June 29, 2021 - The Maine Forest Service, a bureau of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, will provide up to $85,000 over the next two years for local governments, municipalities, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and private family woodland owners to obtain Invasive Plant Control Practice Plans (IPCPP) for their woods. Continue Reading
Damage and litter lead to camping prohibition on Tumbledown Mountain
June 25, 2021 - Continue Reading
Maine's Forest Action Plan Earns USDA USDA Forest Service Approval
June 23, 2021 - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Maine Forest Service (MFS) has received official approval for its 2020 Forest Action Plan from the USDA Forest Service. The plan is a ten-year strategic document designed to help guide policies, priorities, and actions to conserve Maine's forest resources. Continue Reading
Bureau of Parks and Lands : Browntail Moth Alert
June 10, 2021 - The browntail moth has been in Maine for over a century, and we are currently experiencing a population outbreak. The continued hot, dry conditions are contributing to its population growth and spread throughout the state. At present, parts of Cumberland County and Maine's midcoast and Capital regions are experiencing the worst of the outbreak. This area includes Bradbury Mountain, Camden Hills, Lake St. George, and Warren Island State Parks. Continue Reading