Ed Swain’s island farm may be the last one in western Maine

SUN JOURNAL • July 17, 2024

Gone now are the many other island farms that once dotted the Androscoggin River in Western Maine; Swain stands as the last island farmer in this part of  the state. He says access was most likely why others no longer island farm. His own access, sometimes very difficult, is mostly doable. While Swain’s land flooded in 2023,  he dismisses it as, “an odd year … a 100-year flood.” Over the years, Swain’s father acquired many of the smaller adjoining plots that now constitute his son’s expansive 100-acre farm. While he actively farms 60 of those acres, he also tends to additional parcels owned by others who rely on him for haying services.

Discarded Christmas trees helping shore up Popham Beach

MAINE PUBLIC • July 17, 2024

A test to see if old Christmas trees can help shore up eroded sand dunes has shown some success at Popham Beach State Park. In some places, rows of trees have been completely covered in sand, creating ridges that are now colonized by dune grass. That's a promising development after the dunes were wiped out in back-to-back storms this winter. Beach erosion is a natural process and typically sand depleted in the winter gets restored in warmer months. But when storm damage puts human infrastructure at risk, dunes are a critical shield, said Peter Slovinsky of the Maine Geological Survey in a tour of the restoration area. "Humans love coastlines, and we've put a lot of infrastructure in harm's way, so sand dunes are nature's way of protecting the uplands," Slovinsky said.

New Sharon man missing four days at Mt. Blue State Park improving at rehab center

SUN JOURNAL • July 17, 2024

A New Sharon man who was missing four days last week is recovering at a rehabilitation center in Franklin County. Michael Altmaier, 75, fell off a cliff and hit his head while walking a trail at Mt. Blue State Park in Weld, his brother Robert Altmaier said. Michael slipped on some moss and did what he could to stay alive with no food, including drinking water from sources, Robert said. He walked around each day hoping he would see something, find someone.

L. Herbert ‘Bussie’ York of Farmington is remembered as ‘icon’ and community leader

LIVERMORE FALLS ADVERTISER • July 17, 2024

Family, friends, officials and the agricultural community gathered Tuesday to share memories of longtime farmer L. Herbert “Bussie” York. The lifelong Farmington resident died July 9 at the age of 86. Oldest daughter Terry Zacker said her father never thought he was anyone special. “He was just a small-town farmer who worked hard every day to provide for his family and to be one of the many who grew food to sustain others. His life is a testament to hard work and resiliency, to supporting his community and those in it, and to listening to and learning from others he met along the journey.”

Belfast to offer a drop-off site for residents to compost food scraps

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 17, 2024

Belfast city councilors unanimously voted on Tuesday night to launch a pilot drop-off site at the city’s transfer station for residents who want to convert their food waste into compost. When the one-year pilot program starts, residents will be able to drop off their food scraps at the transfer station in one of two ways. They can either leave their scraps without paying any direct fees, and not receive anything in return. Or they’ll be able to pay an $18 monthly fee to drop off scraps they’ve collected in a bucket provided to them through the program, and in return, they’ll receive composted material for their home gardens. A start date for the program was not mentioned on Tuesday.

Letter: There are better alternatives to the Gorham Connector

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 17, 2024

The proposed four-lane highway from Portland to Gorham sounds like the next road ready to be paved with good intentions. Why not address southern Maine’s traffic issues with less intrusive, more cost-effective and reversible solutions? Expand bus service with modern equipment that runs efficiently and frequently. Widen existing roads to include bicycle lanes. Let’s embrace sustainable, reversible transportation solutions that will benefit everyone in the long run. It can be done. ~ Tilman Reitzle, Scarborough

Southern and Midcoast Maine farmers markets

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 13, 2024

In Maine, we’re spoiled by the many farmers markets that offer an array of goods, from fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables to naturally raised meats, milk, eggs, cheeses, baked goods, coffee, maple syrup, honey, soaps and salves. And don’t forget the seedlings, cut flowers, crafts and other items often for sale. Here’s a list of markets in southern part of the state where you can support local vendors.

New conservation agreement protects 3 rivers' headwaters in Hancock County

MAINE PUBLIC • July 17, 2024

Five thousand acres of Maine forestland has been preserved under a new easement to protect important freshwater resources. The parcel on Eagle Lake in northern Hancock County is rare in that it contains the headwaters of three rivers, said Forest Society of Maine president Karin Tilberg. The Passadumkeag, Union, and Narraguagus rivers all originate on the land, and protecting their source has positive impacts all along their course to the sea, Tilberg said. It's an example of how conservation groups are increasingly looking at how to protect whole ecosystems, she added. "Keeping these ecosystems intact is very important for Maine, very important for fish and wildlife, for water quality and for climate control," Tilberg said. The land, owned by the Dysart family, will remain open for fishing, hunting, recreation and logging.

Midcoast artists reckon with climate change

TIMES RECORD • July 17, 2024

Midcoast artists are grappling with the uncertainty of the present as the environmental crisis escalates. Mary McKone, a ceramic artist in Georgetown, and Jöel Levasseur, a multimedia artist in Damariscotta, wonder how art should address climate change. In their current exhibitions, they show that hope, while it may be around the corner, is not yet grasped. McKone’s new exhibition, “Come to the Table,” and her ongoing Maine Endangered Species Series emphasize that saving the planet is not just up for political debate but creative banter, too. Similarly, LeVasseur’s latest fixation with mark-making points to the dooming reality that art cannot save us.

5,000 forested acres to be protected in Hancock County

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 17, 2024

More than 5,000 acres of forest in the northernmost section of Hancock County will now be permanently protected through a conservation easement. The newly conserved parcels include Eagle Lake in Township 34 MD, which is the headwaters for three different rivers — the Union, Passadumkeag and Narraguagus — that offer critical habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon, according to the Forest Society of Maine. The land is also culturally important for the Wabanaki Nations. The land will continue to be owned by the Dysart family and managed for logging, while also publicly accessible for hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, ATVing and other recreational uses.

Spanish energy giant Iberdrola seeks full control of CMP parent

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 17, 2024

Maine regulators are scrutinizing a Spanish energy giant’s agreement to buy the parent company of Central Maine Power Co. as they consider whether to approve the $2.5 billion deal. Iberdrola is seeking to purchase the remaining 18.4% of shares of Avangrid Inc., CMP’s parent. Avangrid, a publicly traded company, would become privately held, exempt from disclosing detailed reports on transactions and its financial performance. Iberdrola’s move raises the issue of foreign ownership that figured prominently in last year’s unsuccessful campaign to replace CMP and Versant Power with a publicly owned and controlled utility. CMP serves more than 636,000 electricity customers in Maine.

How this group plans to rebuild Maine’s fiber economy and soil

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 17, 2024

A small Maine volunteer group has big plans to rebuild a regional industry in a way they believe will also benefit the environment, particularly soil, and human health. To make it happen, the Maine Fibershed plans this year to found chapters in each county, work with local groups and research new uses for wool, adapting a national model as they go. Farmers, for these purposes, include people who raise fiber animals, plant fiber producers and those who grow plants for dye. In Maine, where fiber is mostly a small-scale industry, some farmers ship raw products as far away as the Midwest and even Utah for the expensive processing they need to make it to market.

Column: Paddlers navigate windy Quahog Bay in Maine’s midcoast

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 17, 2024

Situated in the middle and south of the horseshoe-shaped Sebascodegan Great Island, Quahog Bay offers paddlers opportunities to explore a multitude of islands and inlets. A circumnavigation of substantial Yarmouth Island is often an option. ~ Ron Chase

Topsham invites residents to participate in upcoming climate action workshop

TIMES RECORD • July 16, 2024

The Topsham Energy Committee is hosting a workshop July 30 for residents to participate and hear ideas on what the town's Climate Action Plan will look like moving forward. The workshop t is a follow-up to the over 250 responses to the Topsham Climate Action Plan Survey, which closed in May.

Waterford World’s Fair combines old-fashioned fun with agricultural education

SUN JOURNAL • July 16, 2024

The Waterford World’s Fair can trace its roots back to 1852. While the fair still promises its good old-fashioneded fun, it also has the added mission of educating others about agriculture – whether its teaching folks the latest farming trends or highlighting the area’s rich agricultural heritage.

Online booking alerts now offered for busy Acadia National Park

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 16, 2024

A new online alert system is being piloted to help visitors to Acadia National Park find and book available campsites, vehicle reservations and other activities offered through recreation.com. The website is the centralized travel planning platform and reservation system for nine federal agencies, including the National Park Service. Acadia National Park welcomed 3.9 million travelers in 2023.

Auburn and Lewiston ready to make a splash at 2-day L-A Riverfest

SUN JOURNAL • July 16, 2024

The L/A Riverfest is set to make a big splash again this year. The fun kicks off Friday at Simard-Payne Memorial Park, where all activities will be held. Shanna Cox, president and CEO of the LA Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, said the guided paddle tours are a great way to see “the city skyline from the river” and “to explore the canals” while learning about the history of the Twin Cities. She stressed, however, that the tours are not the only opportunity to explore the Androscoggin River and see Lewiston and Auburn from a new perspective. Since the festival is offering canoe rentals starting at 10 a.m., folks can paddle on the river all day Friday — whether they own a boat or not.

Pest predictor i-Tree will help identify harmful nonnative insects

SUN JOURNAL • July 16, 2024

As nonnative insects continue to surge in numbers, i-Tree pest predictor could predict the next species to become a pest before it arrives in Maine. University of Maine’s Angela Mech is an expert on invasive forest insects. As a researcher, Mech has led the effort to create the tool. Eighteen other experts have contributed to the databases that inform i-Tree’s predictions. The i-Tree pest predictor is available at pestpredictor.itreetools.org/predictions.

Bucksport dam owner says it will petition to give up ownership

MAINE PUBLIC • July 16, 2024

The owner of the former Bucksport paper mill is asking the Department of Environmental Protection to release the company from ownership of three dams in the area. Bucksport Mill LLC currently owns the dams that impound Silver Lake, Toddy Pond and Alamoosook Lake. Although the company has filed a notice of intent, a spokesperson for the DEP today said the department has not received a formal petition. Under state law, the petition must be accepted by the department, which will then assess any potential new owners and consider if the state should take ownership of the dams.

UMaine creating $4.5 million Food Innovation Lab

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • July 16, 2024

The University of Maine will spend $4.5 million in state and federal funds to create the UMaine Food Innovation Lab to support the state’s growing food and beverage manufacturing sectors on the Orono campus. “This facility will provide support to Maine’s food entrepreneurs through its proximity to research, education and expertise that is critical to grow Maine’s food businesses,” said Hannah Carter, dean of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.