maine department of agriculture

Published
February 10, 2023

First cases of avian flu reported in Kennebec County

Both wild birds and a domestic flock in Kennebec County have been found to be infected with highly pathogenic avian flu this year.
Published
January 16, 2023

PFAS levels in livestock can diminish if contamination source removed, state officials say

Research has found that once a contamination source is removed from a farm, PFAS levels in livestock will drop to the point that products derived from the animals can be sold to consumers, officials said at a public forum last week.
Published
January 11, 2023

Early round of PFAS testing of groundwater finds 75% of Maine sites within safe levels

The state last year tested more than 1,600 private wells seen as high-priority sites, and inspectors this year will test hundreds more for groundwater contamination.
Published
September 28, 2022

The Recycle Bin: Maine forests and farms store carbon
Published
April 4, 2022

Flocks at elevated risk for highly infectious avian flu in Maine

Strains of the virus have led the U.S. poultry industry to euthanize more than 15.6 million chickens and 1.3 million turkeys since Jan. 1. One Maine farm has lost 250 birds this year.
Published
February 23, 2022

Second case of avian flu detected in backyard birds in Knox County

The first case was confirmed on Sunday and the second on Wednesday; the USDA conducted tests and found the presence of the H5N1 strain in both flocks of birds.
Published
November 15, 2020

State continues testing farmland in Fairfield as another resident told to stop using well water

"My right to clean water has been taken away from me and I didn’t have anything to do with it," Judy Poulin, 77, of Fairfield said. In October, Poulin was told to stop using the water from her well after it was shown to have high levels of toxic chemicals.
Published
October 9, 2020

‘Severely invasive’ grass found in York County

Japanese Stiltgrass, which can prevent native plants from growing, was found at a nursery in York County, according to state officials.
Published
July 25, 2020

Commentary: Supporting our farms is key to Maine’s public health, economic recovery

Gov. Mills and the Legislature must consider how important food security is for all of us in Maine.
Published
July 25, 2020

Commentary: Integrated pest management uses science to protect crops, lands

Invasives can be managed in a way that benefits Maine’s environment and saves forests, gardens and green spaces for future generations.