From birthing stalls to shearing stands, Maine producers are sharpening their small-ruminant skills with UMaine Extension. A 2024 needs assessment showed farmers highly value education on animal health and best practices, and most producer inquiries center on sheep and goats. In 2024, Extension delivered six events across four counties—the Maine Sheep and Goat School, Shearing […]

Extension’s Master Gardener Volunteers (MGV) and Home Horticulture program make research-based gardening guidance accessible across Maine. MGVs complete 64 hours of training and serve on community projects that promote sustainable practices, food security, and environmental stewardship. In 2024, 655 volunteers contributed 26,801 hours of service—an estimated $818,776 in value—while Extension staff and volunteers answered 1,929 […]

Maine Horticulture Apprentice Training is closing a critical workforce gap by pairing industry-aligned coursework with a micro-credential and mentored experience. Built from the Master Gardener Volunteer program and employer input, the curriculum delivers 18 weeks of virtual, self-paced training plus a 200-hour apprenticeship validating skills and career readiness across Maine’s green industry. Demand is strong: […]

Maine ranks third nationally for beginning producer–operated farms (35.9%), yet new farmers face steep hurdles—accessing capital, navigating regulations, and proving financial viability. The Business Planning for Producers course equips aspiring and early-stage farmers with the skills to launch and grow sustainable enterprises through comprehensive business planning. Since 2023, the program has run as ten two-hour […]

Extension’s tractor safety courses provide critical skills and certification, enhancing job opportunities for youth and contributing to the economic health of Maine’s agricultural sector by promoting safer farming practices. Injuries and fatalities in agriculture lead to significant economic losses and can cause farms to go out of business. Labor shortages, including qualified equipment operators, exacerbate […]

In 2022, Maine had at least 457 farms producing potatoes on over 54,000 acres, with the value of sales of Maine-grown potatoes reaching over $200 million, according to the Census of Agriculture. Among these farms, 317 (69%) were small acreages of less than 5 acres, primarily producing for direct-to-consumer channels such as on-farm markets, farm […]