Fall is a great time to indulge in locally-grown food. Below is a list of Maine farms where you can pick your own low-spray and organic apples; a family-friendly activity that fosters an even deeper connection to your food. And picking your own fruit is a perfect way to get large amounts for canning and…
Buses will be bringing people to the 2017 Common Ground Fair from several locations around the state, sponsored by several Maine Adult Education programs, in a further effort to reduce carbon footprint and traffic load. Travel costs vary by distance; Fair admission price is $8 for bus riders (and free for all members). To sign…
Maine’s craft ciders offer a wild taste of history By Caitlin Gilmet JOHN ADAMS DRANK a tankard of hard cider every morning before breakfast. The drink was served at the Battle of Concord—to both sides. And Benjamin Franklin once quipped, “He that drinks his cider alone, let him catch his horse alone.” Maine’s wild and…
From berry picking to cheese tasting, and kayaking to cafes, you’ll find no shortage of things to do on Maine farms. By Jen Hazard AS WE BECOME more connected to our food and where it’s from, the interest in local farms has skyrocketed. Fortunately for those visiting Maine, there are more farms to visit than…
by Karen D’Andrea A hamburger with bacon and cheese often evokes delight in anticipation of taking a great big bite. That has changed for some people today, although not for the reasons you might think. Many people are now thinking about how their food contributes to climate change. As the old adage goes, there is…
Erin Covey-Smith Food hubs have been getting a lot of buzz in Maine lately and there’s good reason. When you have an organized way to bring farmers and producers together with the public, we all stand to gain. As USDA agricultural economist Alan Borst puts it, a “food hub is a facility that is central…
Looking for a good read? We turned to our friends at Royal River Books in Yarmouth and Longfellow Books in Portland for their top picks on books about living with compassion for the planet—and they delivered. Here’s a list of recommendations to keep you pondering deeply, laughing frequently, eating superbly, and above all reading—and living…
By Christine Fisher MAINE’S FARMERS don’t just grow vegetables or raise livestock. In Midcoast Maine companies like Avena Botanicals and Maine Medicinals are growing herbs and medicinal plants, in hopes of raising healthier humans. In Rockport, the Avena Botanicals team hand harvests more than 1,000 pounds of fresh herbs from their 3-acre certified organic and…
By Caitlin Gilmet Photos by John Finch THE WORD “CULTURE” is rooted in the idea of cultivation and growth. It can refer to the achievements that help make our society better, more interesting, and more successful, and it can also refer to the bacteria, molds, and acids that help give cheese its unique character. Culture…
By Avery Yale Kamila While national chain hardware stores are working to phase out certain classes of pesticides from their potted perennials and annuals, two Maine companies are moving more swiftly to supply pollinator-friendly plants. In York, Eldredge Lumber & Hardware is building a second greenhouse in hopes of meeting more of the demand for…