The Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee (WBAC) is a group of 7 industry representatives appointed by the Commission to set research, development, and Extension priorities and recommend funding allocations for the 91±¬ĮĻ wild blueberry research and Extension projects. All WBAC award funding is derived from the wild blueberry tax.

After hearing research and Extension faculty present their proposals in February, and a thorough discussion of their merits, the WBAC, made the following 7 awards totaling $190,324 to support wild blueberry research and Extension work at the 91±¬ĮĻ.

Investing in the Economic Health of the Wild Blueberry Industry ($16,725) – Dr. Malacarne

This project will take stock of the financial health of the wild blueberry industry and create resources to help growers make informed decisions related to price and production risk management and on farm capital investment. 

Prototyping and Commercialization of the Alan Rau Harvester ($60,000) – Kirkmann, Wentworth, and Dr. Calderwood

This funding allows this core group of researchers and engineers to conduct an additional field season of prototype design, manufacture, and testing of a novel wild blueberry harvester.

Actionable Nutrient Tests: Does Foliar Nitrogen Predict the Need for Fertilizer ($28,664) – Drs. King and Calderwood

This project aims to ā€œImprove understanding of soil and tissue test-based recommendations to inform improved wild blueberry nutrient application timing, rates, and methods.”

Planning for and Addressing International Market Barriers ($10,000) – Dr. Fanning

This project will develop decline curves for management tools that target SWD, BMF, and fungal pathogens to aid the industry in accessing offshore markets. Dr. Fanning is working to leverage this small award to secure significant additional external dollars.

How Worth it is Irrigation? Using soil-water, plant physiology, and enterprise tools to guide mid-season water management decisions ($15,673) – Drs. Schattman, Calderwood, Malacarne, and Barra Netto-Ferreira

This project aims to ā€œdeliver recommendations for cost-effective irrigation technologies and techniques for drought, extreme heat and/or frost risk managementā€, ā€œdefine both optimal and minimum crop water needs (i.e., frequency, volume, timing)ā€, and ā€œpromote farm economic tools and provide cost-benefit insights on management options.ā€

Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) of a Freshpack Wild Blueberry Processing Line ($33,604) – Kirkmann and Dr. Calderwood

This project aims to develop a complete reference package for a typical wild blueberry freshpack processing line including minimum viable line size, equipment list and specifications, utility requirements, space and building needs, safety considerations, and scalable layout options using SLP.

2026 Wild Blueberry Disease Project Support ($25,658) – Dr. Annis

This funding will help deliver recommendations on the impacts of fertilizer rate and timing on mummy berry and leaf spots, improve understanding of the spread of red leaf disease and management, maintain disease forecasting stations and alerts.

At the 91±¬ĮĻ, 41 faculty members have received tenure and/or promotion or just-cause protection status and promotion effective July 1, 2026, or September 1, 2026. The annual announcement recognizes outstanding achievement in teaching, scholarship and research, and community engagement.

Tenure for 17 of the faculty members was approved by the 91±¬ĮĻ System Board of Trustees on March 16.

ā€œThese promotions highlight the excellence of 91±¬ĮĻā€™s faculty. Whether in the classroom, in the lab, or the field, their accomplishments are impressive and are a testament to their commitment to student success, discovery, and service to the state. We take great pride in the achievements of these faculty,ā€ says Gabriel Paquette, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at 91±¬ĮĻ.

ā€œEach promotion and tenure decision reflects both individual excellence and the strength of our academic community,ā€ said 91±¬ĮĻ President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. ā€œAs a learner-centered R1 university, we advance research that matters while keeping students at the heart of all we do. These faculty exemplify that mission.ā€

91±¬ĮĻ

Promoted to Professor

• College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences
  • Alicia Cruz-Uribe, Petrology and Mineralogy
  • Adam Daigneault, Forest Policy and Economics
  • Shawn Fraver, Forest Ecology
  • Daniel Hayes, Geospatial Analysis and Remote Sensing
  • Anil Kizhakkepurakkal, Forest Operations
  • Melissa Maginnis, Microbiology
  • Caroline Noblet, Economics
  • Aaron Putnam, Earth Sciences
  • Kelley Strout, Nursing
  • Timothy Waring, Social-Ecological Systems of Modeling
• College of Education and Human Development
  • Catharine Biddle, Educational Leadership
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Ryan Dippre, English
  • William Gramlich, Chemistry
  • Gregory Zaro, Anthropology and Climate Change
• Maine College of Engineering and Computing
  • Caitlin Howell, Bioengineering
  • Thomas Schwartz, Chemical Engineering

Promoted to Extension Professor

• Cooperative Extension
  • Colt Knight, Extension Livestock Educator

Promoted to Professor with Tenure

• College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences
  • Lisa Kerr, Fisheries Science

Granted Tenure at Current Rank of Professor

• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Jonathan Barron, English

Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure

• College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences
  • Noah Charney, Conservation Biology
  • Katherine Weatherford Darling, Health Science
  • Philip Fanning, Agricultural Entomology
  • Jonathan Malacarne, Agricultural Economics
  • Jane Puhlman, Communication Sciences and Disorders
  • Jessica Riccardi, Communication Sciences and Disorders
• College of Education and Human Development
  • Melissa Cuba, Special Education
  • Kathleen Gillon, Higher Education
  • Daniel Puhlman, Family Studies
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Gilbert Moss, Mathematics
  • Neel Patel, Mathematics
  • Franziska Peterson, Mathematics Education
  • Nimesha Ranasinghe, Spatial Informatics
  • Johanna Richlin, Anthropology
  • Jane Wang, Mathematics

Promoted to Associate Extension Professor with Continuing Contract

• Cooperative Extension
  • Sean Birkel, Climate Services
  • Michael Habte-tsion, Fish Nutrition
  • Glenda Pereira Parente, Animal Science/Dairy Specialist

Promoted to Associate Professor

• College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences
  • Christina Murphy, USGS Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Promoted to Senior Lecturer with Just-Cause 

• College of Education and Human Development
  • Maria Frankland, Educational Leadership
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Matthew Bates, Mathematics

91±¬ĮĻ at Machias

Promoted to Senior Lecturer with Just-Cause 

• 91±¬ĮĻ at Machias
  • Daniel Ellis, English

Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu

As the May 1 college decision deadline approaches, students are showing increased interest in academic programs with clear career pathways.

At the 91±¬ĮĻ, that trend is evident across disciplines tied to growing sectors of the U.S. economy, including engineering, health care and biomedical sciences, business, natural resources and environmental sciences, agriculture and food systems, communication sciences and disorders, and biotechnology.

University data highlight several indicators of that demand:

• Mechanical engineering enrollment has increased by more than 30% over the past decade, with a 95% student satisfaction rate.
• The wildlife, fisheries and conservation biology program reports that 95% of graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school, with 82% working in natural resource fields.
• The Maine Business School, which will enroll 330 first-year students, filled nearly half of those seats before April and reports a 94% positive outcome rate.
• In animal and veterinary sciences, about 20% of graduates continue to veterinary or medical school.
• Health-related fields tied to several majors are projected to see continued jobgrowth over the next decade.

Mechanical engineering

91±¬ĮĻā€™s mechanical engineering program, now the universityā€™s largest major, has expanded in response to national demand for engineers in industries including manufacturing, technology and transportation.

Enrollment has increased by more than 30% over the past decade. Graduates are recruited by employers such as Bath Iron Works, Pratt & Whitney, Northrop Grumman, Texas Instruments, GE and NASAā€™s Goddard Space Flight Center.

The curriculum progresses from foundational coursework in math and physics to advanced engineering applications, with an emphasis on analysis, design and problem-solving. Experiential learning is integrated throughout, with students participating in internships, co-ops and a yearlong senior capstone design sequence focused on design, prototyping and testing.

Students may pursue concentrations such as aerospace engineering, along with minors or certificates in robotics, artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing. The program reports a 95% positive student sentiment rate.

REad the full story online

Wildlife, fisheries and conservation biology

The wildlife, fisheries and conservation biology program has more than doubled in enrollment over the past two decades, reflecting sustained interest in conservation and natural resource careers.

The curriculum emphasizes field-based learning. More than half of courses include outdoor labs, and students complete a required immersive field experience in Downeast Maine that is frequently cited as a defining part of their education. More than 80% of undergraduates report that fieldwork influenced their decision to enroll.

Students gain experience through field surveys, internships and research. About 70% complete field experiences, and more than half participate in faculty-led research. Faculty and students have also produced more than 140 peer-reviewed publications and secured nearly $16 million in research funding during the past five years.

Among graduates, 95% are employed or enrolled in graduate school, and 82% work in natural resource fields.

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Speech, pre-medical and biomedical sciences

91±¬ĮĻ is reporting increased interest in programs that prepare students for careers in health care, research and biotechnology, reflecting broader national workforce trends.

Fields such as speech-language pathology and audiology are projected to experience above-average job growth over the next decade, according to federal labor data. Demand is influenced by factors including an aging population and expanded access to care.

Programs in communication sciences and disorders, biology, biochemistry and microbiology provide preparation for graduate study and professional careers, including speech-language pathology as well as medical, dental and veterinary school.

Students frequently participate in faculty-led research, gaining experience that supports applications to graduate programs or entry into the workforce. Faculty say the programs emphasize both academic preparation and applied learning.

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Business

The Maine Business School is nearing capacity for its incoming class, reflecting strong student demand for business education.

The program will enroll 330 first-year students, and nearly half of those seats were filled before April. Administrators say the pace of enrollment indicates sustained interest throughout the admissions cycle.

Students are drawn to the flexibility of the degree, particularly the general business major, which allows exploration across disciplines before selecting a concentration. Finance and marketing remain among the most popular areas of study.

The school reported a 94% positive outcome rate for the Class of 2024, defined as graduates employed, enrolled in graduate school or participating in service programs within six months. Officials say the program is designed to prepare students for a range of careers across industries.

REad the full story online

Animal and veterinary sciences

Enrollment in 91±¬ĮĻā€™s animal and veterinary sciences program has increased since before the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting demand for careers in animal health, veterinary medicine and agriculture.

The program prepares students for careers in veterinary medicine, research and agriculture-related fields. About 20% of graduates continue to veterinary or medical school, while others enter the workforce directly.

Students gain hands-on experience at the universityā€™s J.F. Witter Teaching and Research Center, where they work with animals in applied settings and develop practical skills.

All students also participate in research with faculty on topics including animal health, environmental systems and disease. Faculty say the program is structured to support both exploration and career preparation as workforce demand continues to grow.

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Contact: David Nordman, david.nordman@maine.edu 

Wild blueberries ā€” the iconic Maine crop dotting hillsides, decorating sweatshirts and adding personality to local menus ā€” is more than a cultural symbol. Over 20 years of preclinical and clinical studies suggest that regularly consuming wild blueberries supports gut and heart health and may reduce risk factors associated with chronic disease.

Dorothy Klimis-Zacas, professor of clinical nutrition at the 91±¬ĮĻ, recommends one half to one cup per day. She eats them alongside her morning oats or blends them into smoothies. 

She has spent her multi-decade career researching the health benefits of wild blueberries in relation to cardiometabolic health. Her work is featured in from a Cardiometabolic Health Symposium of experts hosted by the Wild Blueberry Association of North America in Bar Harbor in 2025. Twelve experts ā€” including Klimis-Zacas ā€” participated, their work spanning the fields of nutrition, food science, dietetics, nutrition metabolism and physiology, cardiovascular and cognitive function, gut health and microbiology. 

Blueberries contain polyphenols, which are bioactive compounds found in many berries, that have particularly powerful effects on vascular health. When compared to conventional blueberries, wild blueberries have twice the antioxidant content, 72% more fiber and 33% more anthocyanins ā€” flavonoids related to the widespread health benefits of the berries, such as improved cardiometabolic health.

Research led by Klimis-Zacas was the first to show that wild blueberries reduce inflammation and vascular dysfunction by targeting the endothelium, the thin layer of cells lining blood vessels that regulates their contraction and relaxation. In preclinical studies, her team found that animals with hypertension and obesity showed reduced inflammation and improved vascular health after consuming wild blueberries for six weeks.

Further analysis revealed that a wild blueberry diet alters vascular structure via glycoproteins ā€” key molecules involved in endothelial signaling processes. These structural changes not only improved endothelial function, but also made the endothelium more resilient to high blood lipids and high blood pressure changes.

ā€œIf your endothelium becomes dysfunctional, then everything starts going downhill,ā€ Klimis-Zacas said.

Her lab has also investigated how wild blueberries influence local and systemic inflammation in metabolic syndrome, as well as glucose, lipid metabolism and gut health, to have a greater understanding of blueberriesā€™ potential role in supporting overall metabolic function.

Whatā€™s the best way to eat wild blueberries?

Wild blueberries ā€” whether fresh, frozen or freeze-dried ā€” can all provide health benefits. Frozen berries are a convenient option because they are flash-frozen shortly after harvest, which helps preserve their nutrients, and are widely available in grocery store freezer aisles. Freeze-dried berries also retain beneficial compounds and are highly bioavailable.

Blending wild blueberries into smoothies is effective, as breaking down the berryā€™s skin helps the body absorb more of its bioactive compounds. Studies have also shown they can be baked into muffins and other foods without significantly reducing their health benefits.

Pairing wild blueberries with other nutritious ingredients that have acidity, such as orange, lemon or lime juice, further supports the body in absorbing their bioactive compounds. Adding cinnamon is another option, as it has been associated with supporting healthy blood glucose levels.

Who benefits most from eating wild blueberries?

Wild blueberries offer benefits for people with a range of chronic health conditions, particularly those related to inflammation and cardiovascular health. Klimis-Zacasā€™ clinical studies, in collaboration with the University of Milanā€™s DeFENS-Division of Human Nutrition, have examined blueberriesā€™ positive effects on individuals with vascular dysfunction, including people who smoke or are hypertensive, hyperlipidemic, diabetic, obese or have other inflammatory conditions.

Because wild blueberries contain natural carbohydrates, individuals with diabetes may benefit from more moderate portions, such as limiting intake to about half a cup per day.

Contact: Ashley Yates, ashley.depew@maine.edu

Categories:

News / Research / School of Food and Agriculture

Jordan Ramos first stepped into a wild blueberry field the summer before her sophomore year at the 91±¬ĮĻ. What started as environmental research transformed into the beginning of an artistic path rooted in Maineā€™s working landscapes.

Raised in Bristol, Rhode Island, Ramos was familiar with New Englandā€™s history but had never spent time in Maineā€™s wild blueberry barrens. That first season in the field introduced her not only to the ecology of the crop but to the people, labor and traditions tied to one of the stateā€™s iconic foods.

Now preparing to graduate as an Honors College student with a double major in ecology and environmental sciences and studio art, Ramos shaped her education around that experience. As a rising sophomore, she joined the 91±¬ĮĻ Cooperative Extensionā€™s Wild Blueberry Research Team and spent three summers exploring barrens in the midcoast and Downeast regions. 

Working alongside growers and researchers, she learned to observe the landscape closely, recording what she saw through notes, photos and sketches that would later inform her art. 

Her time in the fields quickly influenced her academic direction. What began as environmental research grew into a deeper artistic interest, prompting her to pursue additional studio courses and eventually focus her art on Maineā€™s wild blueberry heritage. 

ā€œMeeting such passionate professors who believed in me and my work, it really helped me feel confident that I could pursue a degree in art,ā€ Ramos said. ā€œI have a connection to ecosystems, and I think thatā€™s the part that I really see myself continuing to develop as a growing artist.ā€

Perspective of places, sciences she studies

Through her work, Ramos shares her perspective of the places and sciences she studies. She has focused part of her Honors thesis on the cultural heritage and history of Maineā€™s lowbush blueberries. 

Her series of watercolor paintings show the vastness of the fields and the people who handrake them each summer. Her colors are earthy and soft, created from natural soil based pigments.

In the future, Ramos may even explore using blueberries and other plants or fruits with natural pigments to create her own watercolors. After earning her degree this winter, she plans to stay in Maine making environmental art that speaks to the importance of conserving natural resources and places that, like people, are entangled in Earthā€™s larger ecosystems.

ā€œI definitely feel so much love for Maine that Iā€™ve come to really feel like itā€™s my second home while studying here in college,ā€ said Ramos, who is also an ambassador for the Honors College. ā€œThereā€™s so many different, intersecting factors of the natural landscape and community.ā€

Connecting fieldwork with cultural heritage

In high school, Ramos said she never connected to science classes like chemistry and physics. She never saw herself as being a lab scientist and had always been drawn to ā€œthe humanity side of learning and topics.ā€

It wasnā€™t until she came to 91±¬ĮĻ and gained research experiences outdoors that she started using art to communicate what she was learning about in the environment. One of her first pieces that combined science and art was a large watercolor painting depicting workers in long rows of vegetable fields, held up by two large hands. 

She aimed to raise awareness of how these agricultural workers harvest much of Americaā€™s food. Ramos continued to thread that theme into her work with Extensionā€™s Wild Blueberry Research Team, led by Extension specialist Lily Calderwood.

ā€œIt is incredibly important to share the grit and humanity behind agricultural commodities in a time when people are very disconnected from their food, especially who harvests their food,ā€ Calderwood said. ā€œThis industry is culturally and economically important for the state of Maine. Its preservation touches a lot of people who live here year round and those who visit.ā€

Talked to growers about management and more

With Calderwoodā€™s team, Ramos talked to growers about management practices, economics and ecological obstacles, such as from pests, disease and drought. She said they echoed similar challenges regarding low-profit seasons and labor shortages, as well as unpredictable temperatures and precipitation making field management and yield predictability difficult. 

Despite the challenges they face, Ramos said the growers uphold a strong commitment to and pride for the wild blueberry industry and its cultural significance in Maine.

Along with talking to the growers, Ramos harvested blueberries with local, seasonal and Passamaquoddy and Miā€™kmaq tribal hand-rakers in the fields to learn about their perspectives and traditions when it comes to wild blueberries.

Calderwood said Ramosā€™ paintings reflect aspects of Maineā€™s wild blueberry industry that research does not ā€” the social aspects of the people who grow them, the fields where theyā€™re grown and the state economy in which blueberries contribute $360 million annually.

ā€œArtwork has always been a special way to convey the natural world, and it is grounding to see that art is still such a powerful communication tool,ā€ Calderwood said.

Contact: Ashley Yates; ashley.depew@maine.edu

Discover campus and coastal life at the 91±¬ĮĻ through ā€œLife in the Pines,ā€ where real students share their experiences studying, exploring nature and embracing community on both the Orono and Machias campuses.

ā€œLife in the Pines,ā€ an unscripted video series sharing stories of students at the 91±¬ĮĻ and 91±¬ĮĻ at Machias, has launched its second season.

Each episode follows a student along their academic journey, whether it takes them to the coast, wild blueberry fields, medical research labs, K-12 classrooms, basketball courts or, literally, through the pines. Prioritizing authenticity, this series seeks to show what life is really like for students at both campuses. Visit to watch the full series.

Students to be featured this season include: 

• Alan Chausse, a forestry major who also plays in a band and rock climbs.
• Quincy Clifford, a business management major who has studied abroad in Costa Rica and played basketball with other students from around the globe.
• Jasper Makowski, a microbiology major, Honors College student, medical research lab student researcher and Circle K New England district governor.
• McKenna Chappell, a parks, recreation and tourism major who spends mornings creating art and afternoons teaching children about Maineā€™s outdoors.
• Nico Durkee, a studio art major in the marching band who plays with molten metal in the sculpture studio.Ā 
• Lauren Smack, a sociology major, singer and dancer whoā€™s made Orono her new home.Ā 
• Isabelle Puccio, a biomedical engineering major who conducts breast cancer research and searches for ways to combine music and science.
• Samantha Ney, an elementary education major who lives life on Marsh Island to the fullest, from walking the trails to cheering on the Black Bears.Ā 
• Jeffrey Nowack, who never thought he would be a drum major until he recently discovered his passion ā€” and possible career paths ā€” for music education.
• Joey Ferguson, an integrative biology major who conducts wild blueberry research and responds to marine mammal strandings in Downeast Maine.Ā 

Donā€™t miss this insiderā€™s look at 91±¬ĮĻ through the lens of a dynamic group of students living life in the pines.

Transcript:

I have friends that are going to school right now in Colorado and Nebraska and theyā€™re beautiful, but Maine is forged by nature and forged by the people that are here. I feel like itā€™s a flex.

Augusta (August 27, 2024) ā€“ The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced today an investment in Maineā€™s agricultural sector of more than $600,000 in Specialty Crop Block Grant Program awards (SCBGP). This funding will help a diverse group of recipients, including the 91±¬ĮĻ System, North Spore, LLC, and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, to drive innovation and create new market opportunities for our state’s specialty crop producers. These grants are crucial in helping our farmers and producers withstand the ongoing and mounting challenges facing the agriculture sector posed by the economy and environment.

ā€œThese grants are more than just financial supportā€”they’re a vote of confidence in the ingenuity and dedication of our farmers and researchers,ā€ said DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal. ā€œWe believe in their ability to lead the charge towards a vibrant future for Maine agriculture.ā€

ā€œWe are happy to once again be partnered with Maine on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program,ā€ said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. ā€œThe innovative projects funded through this program will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production and markets and ensure Americans have sustained access to fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops and support the regionā€™s specialty crop growers to help ensure their long-term success.ā€

The USDA labels as ā€œspecialty cropsā€ crops including fruits, vegetables, maple syrup, and flowers that people eat or use directlyā€”as opposed to commodity crops like soy and corn, which are used as ingredients in other products. The SCBGP is important, in part, because specialty crop agriculture is the predominant form of agriculture in Maine. 

 ā€œThese funds will be vital to helping our farmers and food producers achieve success and broadening the market for specialty crops in Maine and across the U.S.,ā€ said Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources Director Craig Lapine. ā€œSCBGP supports local and regional projects to help farmers and producers become more competitive now and in the future.ā€ 

Through the SCBGP, the DACF will fund eight impactful projects. These initiatives aim to educate farmers on sustainable and profitable mushroom cultivation, combat disease to protect wild blueberry health, boost apple and potato production and profitability, develop guidelines to extend the harvest window for cut flowers, and enhance food safety. Notable projects in Maine include:

• Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association: Maine Produce Safety Improvement and FSMA PSR Education Project. $84,190Ā 
• North Spore, LLC: Development of Multimedia Educational Modules for More Farmers to Access Mushroom Cultivation Using Sustainable Practices. $93,800Ā 
• Dr. Seanna Annis, 91±¬ĮĻ System: Mitigating the Effects of Mummy Berry on Wild Blueberry Plant Health. $93,425Ā 
• Dr. Stephanie Burnett, 91±¬ĮĻ System: Succession Planting for Locally Grown Cut Flowers. $83,350Ā 
• Dr. Philip Fanning, 91±¬ĮĻ System: Connecting Better Wild Blueberry Nutrients for Improved Pollination, Pollinator Health, and Pest Management. $93,490Ā 
• Dr. Peyton Ginakes, 91±¬ĮĻ System: Creating a Maine Garlic Integrated Pest Management Program. $51,560Ā 
• Dr. Qing Jin, 91±¬ĮĻ System: Increasing Potato Production and Soilborne Disease Suppression by Organic Soil Amendment and Biocontrol Organisms. $81,525Ā 
• Dr. Renae Moran, 91±¬ĮĻ System: New Tools for Increasing Apple Production Profitability. $22,965Ā 

DACF will apply $55,807 in funding to ensure awardees abide by federal and state requirements and regulations by working to administer the SCBGP funding. Find more information about current and past SCBG projects on the DACF . 

Typically, DACF releases an SCBGP Request for Proposals in February, with applications due in March or April. Since 2002, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program has awarded more than $7.5 million to DACF to support the growing number of specialty crop producers selling in local and regional markets. 

The funding to Maine is part of a total of $72.9 million in non-competitive FY 2024 funding awarded to 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The funding supports farmers growing specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. USDAā€™s support will strengthen U.S. specialty crop production, expand markets, and ensure an abundant, affordable supply of highly nutritious fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops is available to all Americans.

Warm weather means many farms across Maine will be hosting public access hours and events (check or local farm websites for hours and details). MAFES’ Aroostook, Blueberry Hill, Highmoor, and Rogers farms will all be hosting field days and other opportunities for public access throughout the summer (see our events page for details). Farm visits are an excellent opportunity to take the family out for some fresh air, learn about local agriculture, and enjoy bucolic Maine. However, it is important to remember that you are guests on fully operation farms that your neighbors rely on for their livelihood. Maine’s Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry provides a list of “Top Ten Farm visit Dont’s” to ensure a safe and respectful farm visit:

1. Don’t Ignore Farm Rules

Every farm has its own set of rules designed to protect both visitors and animals. Ignoring these rules can lead to accidents or disruptions. Always pay attention to and follow the guidelines provided by the farm staff.

2. Don’t Wander Off

Farms can be large and sometimes hazardous areas with machinery, uneven terrain, and restricted zones. Stay within designated areas and follow paths to avoid getting lost or entering dangerous locations.

3. Don’t Feed the Animals Without Permission

Feeding farm animals without permission can harm them, as not all foods are safe for every animal. Always ask the farmer before feeding any animals to ensure it’s secure and appropriate.

4. Don’t Startle the Animals

Sudden movements or loud noises can startle farm animals, causing them stress or triggering defensive behavior. Approach animals calmly and quietly to ensure a safe interaction.

5. Don’t Bring Pets

Bringing your pets to a farm can introduce diseases to the farm animals and create stress or aggressive encounters. Please leave your pets at home unless the farm specifically allows and welcomes them.

6. Don’t Touch Equipment

Farm machinery and tools can be dangerous if handled improperly. Only touch or operate equipment with explicit permission and supervision from farm staff.

7. Don’t Leave Gates Open

Leaving gates open can lead to animals escaping, which can be dangerous and create much work for the farmers. Always close gates behind you unless instructed otherwise.

8. Don’t Litter

Littering can harm animals and damage the environment. Always dispose of your trash properly and carry out what you bring in.

9. Don’t Wear Inappropriate Clothing

Farms can be muddy, dusty, and full of insects. Wear sturdy, comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes to protect yourself and ensure a relaxed visit.

10. Don’t Ignore Safety Signs

Safety signs are placed for a reason. Ignoring them can lead to accidents or harm. Remember all posted signs and warnings to keep yourself and others safe.

Following these guidelines ensures a pleasant and respectful farm visit, benefiting you and the farm community. Do bring your sense of adventure and appreciation for exploring these local businesses we all care about.

, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology

School of Biology and Ecology

How I got here:

I grew up on a small dairy farm in Tipperary, Ireland. Living on a farm is what I credit for my interest in becoming a scientist. I completed my Bachelor of Environmental Science degree at University College Cork. I went on to do a Master of Science in Environmental Science focusing on freshwater ecology at the University College Dublin. I remained at University College Dublin as a Walsh Fellow to complete a PhD in Environmental Biology focusing on Entomology. My PhD was co-sponsored by the University College Dublin and Teagasc (Irelandā€™s Extension Service). My PhD focused on defoliating beetles on biomass crops in Ireland, with one target species being a pest in cut foliage crops.

After completing my Ph.D., I immigrated to the United States in 2015. I joined the Isaacā€™s lab at Michigan State University and was a postdoctoral research associate from 2016 to 2019. Then, I joined the 91±¬ĮĻā€™s School of Biology and Ecology faculty in 2020 as an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology.

Current role within MAFES:

My current research with the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station (MAFES) focuses on the sustainable management of insect pests in Maine lowbush blueberries. The overarching goal of this research is to help Maineā€™s wild blueberry grower manage any pests in an economically viable and environmentally sustainable way and ensure that we maintain healthy populations of beneficial insects such as pollinators.

Outside of research, I teach Integrated Pest Management and Introduction to Insect Identification in the School of Biology and Ecology. Additionally, for our service mission, I work closely with multiple different entities, such as the 91±¬ĮĻā€™s Cooperative Extension, to deliver research outputs to Maineā€™s 512 wild blueberry growers, who farm 46,370 acres, and others, such as the public, especially on bees including interactions with beekeepers, schools, and individuals.

Key research goals of my lab:

Here in the MAFES, I aim to conduct current research in my lab group that focuses on the ecology and behavior of insects in agricultural systems. The key goals of my research group are the study of 1) insects that are significant agricultural pests, 2) their associated natural enemies within agricultural systems and in the surrounding landscapes, 3) the evaluation and optimization of pest management programs, and 4) the development of sustainable, alternative management tactics towards the goal of conservation of biological control and pollinators.

One such pest is the invasive vinegar fly, Spotted-wing Drosophila. Since its initial detection in Maineā€™s wild blueberry fields in 2012, Spotted-wing Drosophila has become an economic pest for wild blueberry growers. While the adult population’s timing and severity varies annually, it increases growers’ costs in some years. Starting in 2020, research activities in my lab focused on continuing projects to generate data on the biology and management of Spotted-wing Drosophila in wild blueberries. These activities were primarily funded by the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine and multiple grants financed by the USDAā€™ National Institute of Food & Agriculture programs.

My team has been focused on new variations of classical biological control options for Spotted-wing Drosophila, utilizing the Samba wasp. The Samba wasp, which is smaller than a grain of rice, is a larval parasitoid; the adult female can detect larvae of the flies under the fruit’s skin and inject its eggs into them. In the past two years, my lab has released thousands of these tiny USDA-approved parasitoid wasps at sites across Maine in the hope that they will eventually reduce populations and growers’ costs.

The Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station has published .

Authors

Description

Bees are crucial to pollination in unmanaged ecosystems and some crops, and their roles are increasingly understood in four states in the Northeastern U.S., abbreviated ā€œNNEā€ in this paper: Maine (ME), Massachusetts (MA), New Hampshire (NH), and Vermont (VT). The four states have in common many native bee and plant species, forest types, and natural communities. They share drought events and risk of wildfire (Irland 2013). They are exposed to many of the same major storms (e.g., hurricanes, Foster 1988), pollution events (Hand et al. 2014), and effects ascribed to climate change (Hayhoe et al. 2008). Beekeeping enterprises (the western honey bee, Apis mellifera, an introduced species) of various sizes exist in each of the states. By including the four states in this review, we hope to better understand wild bee distributions, inspire the expansion of floral resources to support bee populations in a strategic manner, reduce use of pesticides, create pollinator corridors, and protect subtle habitat features such as ground nest sites for solitary bees and patches of native vegetation that are free of invasive plants.

Our objective in this review is to synthesize from a conservation standpoint the state of knowledge regarding bees in NNE, including their diversity, and biology especially as it relates to climate change. We review foraging and nutrition, nest ecology, parasites and parasitoids, native vs. managed bees, and interactions with plants. We then turn our focus to bee habitats, and identify 15 habitat types we find useful for recognizing essential bee resources. We discuss habitat aspects including forest succession, invasive plants, land use alterations, and agriculture including impacts of pesticides, and cover economic aspects of crop-related pollination reservoirs in NNE that demonstrate cost-effectiveness at various scales. We present habitat improvement strategies including passive and active approaches, based on the literature and our experiences in NNE, and we suggest plants for pollinator plantings. Wherever pertinent throughout the text, we highlight threats to bees in our region such as pests and pathogens, pesticides, and habitat loss. Finally, we identify gaps in knowledge that could help in prioritizing directions for future research. We hope this review will be useful to anyone seeking to protect bees and their habitats.