NEWS CENTER MAINE • January 15, 2026
The 85th Maine Agricultural Trades Show wrapped up Thursday in Augusta. The show drew hundreds of farmers, including those who are dealing with contamination from PFAS chemicals. The PFAS Fund has distributed nearly $6 million in farm relief, research projects, and free blood testing to hundreds of families exposed to toxic chemicals. For some, the safety net is a source of hope in an uncertain future. The PFAS Fund has provided over $2.5 million in loans, infrastructure, and income replacement relief. It has also awarded $3 million in research grants for seven projects, including ways to detect PFAS in chicken and eggs and new technology to break down the chemicals in soil. Free blood tests and mental health counseling are available to several hundred families who have been exposed. The Maine CDC is checking in with patients who have high levels of these chemicals in their blood.