2024-2025 Piscataquis County Annual Report

County Highlights

Piscataquis Participants in Statewide Programs From July 2023 to July 2024

  • Maine Gardener: 2
  • Maine Horticulture Apprentice Training Microcredential: 1
  • Spring 2024 Webinars: 3
    • March 26, 2024, Home Grown Cranberries: 1
    • April 2, 2024, Harvesting Hidden Gems: Practical Insights for Growing Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes: 1
    • April 9, 2024, Backyard Blueberries: 1
  • On-Demand Webinar: 1
  • Master Gardener Volunteers: 2 enrolled volunteers who contributed 15 hours of volunteer work in their communities.

Maine Food System

Northern Light Mayo

Laurie Bowen and Kate Desmarais from Highland Area Gleaners, a collaboration of our Piscataquis County Hospitals and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Piscataquis County, had a great time catching up with the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club this week. As the Gleaners’ work has evolved from recovering leftover food from local farm fields to serving more than 700 people at produce pop-up markets, their focus has remained on one thing: making the healthy choice the easy choice. Thanks, Kiwanis, for letting us share our story!

One Tomato Survey Results:gardeners at One Tomato information booth

How much gardening experience do you have?

150 Responses

  • None: 10 (6.7%)
  • This will be my first year: 12 (8%)
  • 1 to 4 years: 27 (18%)
  • 5 or more years: 87 (58%)
  • Haven’t gardened in a long time: 15 (10%)

Where do you plan to plant your tomato? 

148 Responses

  • On flat ground: 68 (45.9%)
  • Raised beds: 36 (24.3%)
  • Containers: 54 (36.5%)

What types of information have you gotten from Maine Extension in the past? 

144 Responses

  • Gardening: 85 (59%)
  • Farming: 29 (20%)
  • 4-H Youth: 25 (17.4%)
  • Pest Control: 19 (13.2%)
  • Food Preservation: 29 (20.1%)
  • Didn’t know you existed: 32 (22.2%)

Have you previously participated in the One Tomato Program?

150 Responses

  • Yes: 63 (42%)
  • No: 87 (58%)

How many years?

50 Responses

  • One: 12 (24%)
  • Two: 11 (22%)
  • Three: 7 (14%)
  • Four: 7 (14%)
  • Five: 7 (14%)
  • Six: 1 (2%)
  • Ten: 2 (4%)
  • Eleven: 3 (6%)

Executive Committee member Dwain Allen distributed tomato seedlings at the Piscataquis Regional Food Center in Dover-Foxcroft and the UU Food Cupboard in Sangerville. Several folks came just to get a tomato plant. “I didn’t realize so many people look forward to getting just One Tomato!” he exclaimed.

4-H Positive Youth Development

4-H/FFY 2024

Piscataquis County 4-H became independent of Penobscot County 4-H on October 1, 2024. Piscataquis County 4-H has provided ample opportunity for community involvement and allows county youth to foster a variety of skills. During the Macaws Public Speaking, five youth participated in Piscataquis County Showcase, three Piscataquis youth were old enough to attend State Public Speaking Tournament, two youth earned Blue ribbons, and one earned a Red ribbon. Many other programs from Maple Sugaring 101 Hybrid SpIn Club to Nightwings 4-H Archery club encourage youth to try new activities, be curious about the world around them, as well as engage in their community.

4-H programming from October 1, 2023-September 30, 2024, in Piscataquis County included:

  • Making Holiday cards for Homebound Seniors to be distributed by the Piscataquis Regional Food Center
  • Eclipse Activities with Sedomocha Afterschool and Brownville/Milo Afterschool
  • Food Science with Sedomocha Afterschool
  • Transplanting seedlings and snacking on plant parts with Brownville/Milo Afterschool
  • Green Jobs Fair event with Piscataquis Soil and Water Conservation District
  • 5 Weeks of 4-H at Thompson Free Library
  • Joy Truck activities in Brownville Junction
  • Exhibits at the 2024 Piscataquis Valley Fair

5 Weeks of 4-H July 2024

Piscataquis County Extension Association and Staff

2024 Piscataquis County Extension Executive Committee

  • Beth McEvoy Ruksznis DVM, President
  • Dr. Rich Cabot, Treasurer
  • Kim Merritt
  • Caitlin Walsh

2025 Piscataquis County Extension Executive Committee

  • Kim Merritt, President
  • Jackie DiPalma, Vice President
  • Dr. Rick Cabot, Treasurer
  • Caitlin Walsh, Secretary
  • Dwain Allen

2024 Piscataquis County Extension Staff

  • Anette Moulton, Administrative Specialist
  • Trisha Smith, 4-H CEA Piscataquis/Penobscot
  • Sheila Norman, 4-H Professional, Piscataquis/Penobscot
  • Laurie Bowne, Home Horticulture/Food System Program Assistant

2025 Piscataquis County Extension Staff

  • Anette Moulton, Administrative Specialist
  • Trisha Smith, 4-H Professional

 

  • 2023-2024 4-H Volunteers: 5
  • 4-H Youth: 23
  • 2024-2025 Y.T.D. 4-H Volunteers: 9
  • Y.T.D. 4-H Youth: 34

As a lifelong resident of this state and a multigenerational farmer the Extension Office is and has been an enduring resource for education, information, and community involvement in Piscataquis County. Farming in Piscataquis County relies on the Extension.

– Jackie DiPalma