The first three years of a child’s life are critical for growth and development. Early identification of developmental delays and subsequent referrals to early intervention services are essential to reduce long-term impacts. In 2024, Extension’s Maine Families home visiting programs served 233 families with 215 children through 2,146 home visits. Parent educators work from two […]

The Maine Farm Wellness and Maine Agricultural Mediation Program address mental health and conflict resolution in Maine’s agricultural sector. These initiatives offer resources, education, and support to farmers, fostering a culture of mental health awareness and community resilience. In addition to training 23 new mediators, the mediation program served 55 clients through mediation, personal financial […]

Extension’s ServSafe course provides state-required training to reduce foodborne illnesses and support the success of Maine’s food service industry. Food establishments are crucial to Maine’s economy, generating $3.6 billion in sales and supporting 62,800 jobs in 2022. Extension certified instructors and proctors conducted eleven in-person ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager Course and Exams statewide. The […]

Rising food costs have motivated more Mainers to start gardening and consider food preservation, but they need current information on methods like as pressure canning for low-acid foods and water-bath canning for high-acid foods, to prevent risks like botulism. In 2024, 57 Master Food Preserver volunteers completed over 489 hours of food preservation education, community […]