In response to questions from Maineâs agricultural producers on area wages, pay, and benefits, University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Maine Vegetable and Small Fruit Growers Association developed a survey for farmer owners with employees that went out statewide this past March. Responses were due by April 2.
âFarmers had no way of knowing if the wages and benefits they were offering farm workers are competitive,â says Tori Jackson, UMaine Extension professor of agriculture and natural resources. âIn this tight job market, these are critical pieces of information for farm business owners and managers to have access to.â
During the brief survey period, 86 farmers responded with complete information. Jason Lilley, an Extension agriculture professional in Cumberland County, said âWe developed the survey as a result of questions and requests from several farmers, and farm producer associations. We hope to expand on this pilot study and conduct a
Extension s blueberry field days to open May 25 centralmaine.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from centralmaine.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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ORONO A “4-H At-Home Aquaponics Project,” an experiential learning program for youth ages 9 to 18, is to be delivered virtually from June 15 to October.
The project is a partnership between the University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H, University of Maine Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research, and UMaine Aquaculture Research Institute.
It includes learning experiences in introductory aquaponic systems and design, fish husbandry, aquaponic gardening, and cooking and nutrition. With program leaders as mentors, youths complete their individual projects at home and are members of a statewide group participating in the project together. Prior experience with aquaponics is not required.
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DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Androscoggin Gleaners are looking for volunteers for the summer and fall growing season. We are affiliated with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Healthy Androscoggin, and work with local farms to harvest excess produce and put it into the hands of organizations that fill emergency food needs in our community.
We visit our farm partners on a regular basis to harvest for an hour and half to two hours before splitting up the harvest and delivering it to various food access sites in the area such as pantries, housing facilities, libraries and others. We provide all the training and tools required. Volunteers need only bring a willing spirit!
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Unusual high number of ticks prompt school officials to spray Hall-Dale Elementary School grounds
Dresden Elementary and Hall-Dale Elementary Schools have had the highest amount of ticks out of the Regional School Unit 2 schools, but the Hallowell school is the main priority because of summer building use.
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HALLOWELL Regional School Unit 2 has decided to spray the grounds at Hall-Dale Elementary to rid the fields of ticks after students have reported more-than-usual numbers after spending time outside.
Gordon Murray, RSU 2’s director of buildings and grounds, said at Thursday night’s Facilities, Nutrition and Transportation Committee meeting, students at Dresden Elementary School counted 80 ticks in one day after recesses. At Hall-Dale Elementary, he did a grounds test and found 45 ticks on the edge of the school grounds.