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Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources Director Nancy McBrady Announces Critical Staff Hires
August 2, 2022 - Augusta - Today, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources Director Nancy McBrady announced Ronda Steciuk as the new Animal Welfare Program Director, Matthew Boucher as the bureau's new Soil Scientist, Gus Nelson as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Director, and Shane Bacon as the Maine Harness Racing Commission Executive Director. Continue Reading
Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Celebrates "Art Outside and On the Trail" in collaboration with Portland Museum of Art and L.L.Bean
July 28, 2022 - AUGUSTA - The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) has joined the Portland Museum of Art (PMA) and L.L.Bean in exhibiting over two dozen stunning reproductions of the museum's permanent collection works of art. Titled "Art Outside and On the Trail," the pieces are on view now at State Parks, including Sebago Lake, Bradbury Mountain, Scarborough Beach, and Wolfe's Neck Woods. Park visitors are invited to catch a glimpse of the artwork while walking park trails through October. Continue Reading
Governor Mills Proclaims July 17-23 Explore Maine Agriculture Week
July 20, 2022 - Augusta, MAINE - Governor Janet Mills has proclaimed the week of July 17-23 Explore Maine Agriculture Week, calling on all Maine people to celebrate and support Maine's farmers and food producers. Explore Maine Agriculture Week will conclude with the annual Maine Open Farm Day held on Sunday, July 24. Continue Reading
Maine Animal Health Officials Issue Update Regarding Poultry Swaps and Exhibitions In Response to Bird Flu Cases
July 1, 2022 - AUGUSTA- Today, due to another detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Maine in a small, non-commercial group of backyard birds on June 28, Maine Animal Health Officials with the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, announced the continuation of their advisory recommending cancellation or postponement of competitions, exhibitions, shows, swaps, or other in-person events encouraging the gathering or comingling of domestic fowl or poultry. Continue Reading
Emerald Ash Borer Detections in Oakland and Waterville Provide Timely Reminder: Leave your Firewood at Home
June 30, 2022 - AUGUSTA - The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Maine Forest Service (MFS) has expanded an Emergency Order to restrict the movement of ash from areas likely to harbor emerald ash borer (EAB). This order is in response to detections in Oakland, Waterville and Lewiston this month and earlier finds in Lovell and Gray and is in addition to the state quarantine rule on EAB. The order and the quarantine exist to help slow the spread of EAB within Maine. Continue Reading
Governor Mills Launches $50 Million Jobs & Recovery Plan Initiative to Rebuild Maine State Parks
June 8, 2022 - CAMDEN HILLS STATE PARK - Governor Janet Mills today announced the launch of a $50 million initiative through her Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan to rebuild infrastructure at State Parks across Maine to make them more enjoyable and accessible for Maine people and visitors. Continue Reading
Governor Mills Announces 20 New Land for Maine's Future Conservation Projects
June 6, 2022 - Governor Janet Mills today announced 20 new Land for Maine's Future (LMF) conservation projects across Maine that conserve lands and preserve public access to lakes, rivers, scenic views, and mountain vistas for Maine people. Continue Reading
Governor Mills Declares June Maine Dairy Month
June 1, 2022 - Augusta, MAINE - During a celebration at the Blaine House with farmers and producers with the Maine Dairy Industry Association, the Maine Dairy & Nutrition Council, and the Maine Cheese Guild, Governor Janet Mills today signed a proclamation declaring June Maine Dairy Month. Continue Reading
Support Healthy Forests: leave your firewood at home
May 20, 2022 - With Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week and the kick-off to summer recreation season upon us, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry reminds everyone to choose local or heat-treated firewood. Continue Reading
Stop Browntail Moth Hitchhikers
May 19, 2022 - Augusta - The Maine Forest Service asks everyone to check cars, trucks, boats, bikes, ATVs, and other vehicles for wandering browntail moth (BTM) caterpillars. Now through late June, BTM caterpillars become expert hitchhikers. When they catch a ride, BTM may set up house in a new area and cause irritation to people and destroy foliage on trees and shrubs at their new location. Continue Reading
Notice of Request for Proposal: Nutrition Incentive Matching Fund
May 10, 2022 - The State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is seeking proposals from a Maine-based organization that supports local food producers, local food production, or low-income individuals in receiving food and nutrition assistance. This organization will use funds received to provide incentives to federal food and nutrition assistance program participants to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables and to support outreach for and administration of programs that offer nutrition incentives to participants of federal food and nutrition assistance programs. Continue Reading
Mills Administration Announces the Permanent Protection of Land for Outdoor Recreation
April 29, 2022 - Augusta - The Mills Administration announced today that 813 acres of highland wild blueberry fields, wildlife habitat, and recreational lands in the towns of Vienna and New Sharon have been permanently protected for outdoor recreation. The newly acquired lands represent the largest inholding within the Kennebec Highlands Public Land. The acquisition builds on the more than 20 years the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) has worked with 7 Lakes Alliance (formerly Belgrade Region Conservation Alliance) to conserve 6,800 acres across this significant landscape. Continue Reading
Media Advisory: Feathers over Freeport, Sat-Sun, Apr 30-May 1
April 26, 2022 - Freeport, Maine - Feathers Over Freeport, the most anticipated Maine State Parks spring festival, returns to Bradbury Mountain and Wolfe's Neck Woods State Parks this Saturday and Sunday, April 30 and May 1. Continue Reading
Maine Animal Health Officials Issue Advisory Regarding Poultry Swaps and Exhibitions In Response to Bird Flu Cases
April 22, 2022 - Augusta - Today, due to multiple detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Maine and New England, Maine Animal Health Officials announced an advisory recommending cancellation or postponement of competitions, exhibitions, shows, swaps, or other in-person events encouraging the gathering or comingling of domestic fowl or poultry. Continue Reading
Governor Mills Proclaims April 17-April 23 Wildfire Awareness Week in Maine
April 15, 2022 - Augusta, MAINE - Governor Janet Mills has declared Sunday, April 17, 2022 through Saturday, April 23, 2022 as Wildfire Awareness Week in the State of Maine and called on all Maine people to do their part to prevent wildfires. Maine averages over 550 wildfires annually, over ninety percent of which are caused by people. Continue Reading