April 2, 2023 Augusta, MAINE – Governor Janet Mills announced that she tested positive for COVID-19 today. The Governor received a positive result after experiencing a scratchy throat this morning. She will isolate for a minimum of five days, consistent with Maine and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. “Other than a scratchy throat, I feel fine,” said Governor Mills. “I will work remotely over the next few days and I look forward to getting back to the office later this week.” Governor Mills is fully vaccinated and boosted, for which she attributes her mild symptoms and good prognosis. Gov. Mills previously tested positive for COVID-19 in April 2022. She isolated and recovered within a matter of days.  Given the circumstances, the Governor will […]

March 31, 2023 Augusta, ME – The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry announced today that it is introducing an agritourism training and coaching program. “Agritourism is a long-standing tradition in Maine. Farms that want to include this as part of their business plan do so because it can offer marketing opportunities. As more research and data become available about how farms can integrate agritourism into their businesses, we want to be supportive and forward-thinking,” said Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources Director Craig Lapine. “We want to enhance how communities support Maine farms and raise awareness about agriculture. Agritourism is a way to help people connect with farms. Farmers want to share stories, sustain businesses, and steward working landscapes. […]

March 28, 2023 Augusta, ME – The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced today that it will utilize an $800,000 Federal grant to expand the Maine Senior FarmShare Program. The program provides low-income older adults the opportunity to receive up to a $50 share of fresh, local produce at no cost directly from Maine farmers. Augusta, ME – The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced today that it will utilize an $800,000 Federal grant to expand the Maine Senior FarmShare Program. The program provides low-income older adults the opportunity to receive up to a $50 share of fresh, local produce at no cost directly from Maine farmers. DACF estimates that the additional funding will […]

March 30, 3023 Lawsuits Filed Against 3M and DuPont for Role in “Forever Chemical” Contamination AUGUSTA- Attorney General Aaron Frey announced today the filing of two lawsuits against manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroakyl substances or “PFAS” and PFAS-containing products. The complaints allege that the manufacturers, DuPont and 3M, among others, have known for decades that PFAS pose serious risks to human health and the environment, but instead promoted their PFAS products as safe and appropriate for widespread use in Maine. The suits allege that the defendant manufacturers knew of the science of PFAS toxicity decades ago but concealed that information from the public and continued to manufacture, sell and profit from their products containing these chemicals.   “The defendant manufacturers have willfully introduced […]

March 31, 2023 The White House says Jill Biden will be coming to Maine next week. The first lady will be traveling to Maine and Vermont on Wednesday, according to the White House. “During the visits, the first lady will highlight how career-connected learning and workforce training programs are central to the Biden Education Pathway, and the importance of investing in these programs that are preparing high school and community college students for jobs created by the president’s Investing in America agenda,” the White House said in a statement. Biden will join Mills with U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona at around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday to tour the Southern Maine Community College campus in South Portland. The First Lady’s […]

March 26th Maine maple producers will be hosting the 40th annual Maine Maple Sunday. To find a location to visit go HERE. Spring is a great time to get out and enjoy the great State of Maine and everything that it has to offer, including Maine Maple Syrup. Most sugarhouses offer maple syrup samples and demonstrations on how pure Maine maple syrup is made. Many farms offer games, activities, treats, sugarbush tours, music, and so much more. Maine Maple Sunday is always the fourth Sunday in March although some sugarhouses are offering events for both Saturday and Sunday. Please be sure to read the description of each sugarhouse to know what times they will be open and the activities they […]

March 10, 2023 Funding will Benefit Meat and Poultry Processors in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New York U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack on March 6, 2023 announced the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $89 million across the country to finance the startup and expansion of independent meat processors. USDA also announced initial steps the Department is taking to create a more competitive marketplace for seeds and other agricultural inputs. In Maine, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., (CEI) is receiving a total of $8 million in grant funds through the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program (MPILP). USDA Rural Development Maine State Director Rhiannon Hampson said, “As a farmer myself, I deeply understand the need for additional processing infrastructure here in Maine, and greater New […]

03/23/2023  The Maine Attorney General’s office has learned of an active online scam involving the fraudulent sale of used and/or antique motor vehicles where scammers are using the names of Maine businesses and individuals associated with those businesses to advertise vehicles for sale and to get unwitting buyers to wire thousands of dollars for vehicles they will never receive. The scammers are registering fraudulent website domains using the names of these Maine businesses and are using email addresses associated with those domains.   Although they do not appear to be physically based in Maine, the scammers are using phone numbers with 207 area codes.  The scammers are also using documents that appear legitimate, including Bills of Sale with details about […]