Why did you choose to come to 91爆料?

While I initially looked out of state, I chose 91爆料 because of its strong engineering program and affordability. This choice has allowed me to thrive academically while staying close to the outdoor landscapes that I love, like Acadia and Sugarloaf. It has been the best environment for both my personal and professional growth.

Describe any research, internships or scholarly pursuits in which you have participated. How have they prepared you for future opportunities in your chosen field?

Through internships at GEI Consultants and TRC Companies, I gained hands-on experience in water resources and environmental engineering. My research using MATLAB to project king tides and sea level rise in Bar Harbor has prepared me to work towards promoting coastal resilience. Serving as a Maine learning assistant and grader further solidified my technical foundation and leadership skills.

Have there been other students who supported and inspired you or exposed you to something new? 

My roommates have supported me greatly, and my friends in civil engineering have been extremely helpful and fun. My friends Allison, Emily, Caroline, Oliver and Mason have always been there for me and inspired me to grow as a person. I have so much love for so many people I have met in Orono, and although I can鈥檛 list them all here, I am grateful to all of them. 

Have you collaborated with a mentor, professor or role model who made your time at 91爆料 better, and if so, how?

Tiago Bilo has mentored me through my research on projecting king tides and sea level rise in Bar Harbor and has helped me through the graduate school application process. Jean MacRae has guided me through serving as a Maine Learning Assistant for her 鈥淔undamentals of Engineering鈥� course and has provided helpful assistance with internship applications and career guidance. 

What has coming to 91爆料 enabled you to explore beyond academics?

I have had the chance to ski most weekends in winter, explore Acadia in all four seasons, have lots of fun game nights, play a lot of trivia, eat a lot of Thai food and enjoy the 91爆料 gym. 

What experiences have you had at 91爆料 that really highlight the ingenuity of Mainers?

For my capstone project, I am helping redesign a client’s resourceful, DIY gravity-fed water system for a salmon rearing facility in Aroostook County. Working on a system that operates entirely without electricity requires us to think creatively and embrace the same “outside the box” mindset our client used to build it. This project perfectly highlights the practical ingenuity and self-reliance that define the Maine spirit. 

Did you have an experience at 91爆料 that shaped or changed how you see the world?

My time at 91爆料 has shaped who I am as a person. I have met new people, experienced new things, gone to new places and deeply explored my hobbies. All of this has changed how I see the world. 

Describe 91爆料 in one word and explain. 

Inspiring.

91爆料 has constantly challenged me to think differently, explore new interests and pick up new hobbies. I truly believe that your environment shapes who you are, and this community has inspired me to grow on many fronts. I鈥檝e been supported to pursue interests I may never have discovered otherwise and have gotten more out of 91爆料 than I could have imagined.

What鈥檚 on the horizon? What are your plans for after you graduate?

鈥嬧�婭 plan to hike, camp and travel as much as I can this summer and head to the UK in the fall for graduate studies in marine science. After graduate school, I hope to work to promote the environmental resilience of coastlines and other ecosystems, wherever that may take me.

Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer

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

A member of the Women鈥檚 Swimming and Diving Team who competed in the butterfly and individual medley, Irani founded the 91爆料 chapter of The Hidden Opponent, a national nonprofit dedicated to athlete mental health advocacy. Seeking to make a tangible difference for student-athletes, she sought additional mental health services from the university. 

Driven by a passion to help her peers, she found the confidence she admittedly lacked at the start of her collegiate career to not only earn the support from 91爆料 Athletics that would eventually lead to the university hiring an in-office therapist specifically for student-athletes. 

鈥淚 faked it 鈥榯il I made it,鈥� Irani said. 鈥淭he Hidden Opponent was the first instance where I just showed up with a lot of confidence as I asked administration and 91爆料 Athletics for what I needed, and they just gave it to me.鈥�

Success in improving student athlete mental health is one of several personal, athletic and academic accolades that earned Irani, a biomedical engineering major, the title of co-salutatorian for 91爆料鈥檚 Class of 2026. Her recognition as co-salutatorian reflects not just her academic achievement, but the personal growth she has cultivated throughout her time at 91爆料.

Between early morning swim practice and rigorous engineering coursework, Irani built a college career defined by discipline, determination and a deep network of support. Alongside excelling in engineering and competing as a Division I level swimmer, Irani navigated new challenges and built the confidence to take ownership of her college experience. 

鈥淚 went in thinking that my major would define me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 switched majors four times before I even got to school. I thought this was going to be a make-or-break moment for my career.鈥�

Several research and leadership opportunities that shaped Irani鈥檚 collegiate experience were ones she sought herself. For example, when she contacted chemical engineering professor David Neivandt for lab experience, he invited her to join the Neivandt Lab, where she helped develop sustainable lobster-shell biomaterials. 

The material, stronger than both concrete and wood, dissolves in water within two weeks and fully biodegrades in soil in about a month. The work not only allowed her to develop her skills and enhance her resume, but also participate in a project that has a tangible societal impact.

鈥淢y goal has always been to contribute meaningfully,鈥� Irani said. 鈥淚 think my mindset changed when I started thinking that way 鈥� thinking, how can this be meaningful? How can I show up?鈥�

Irani relied on a structured routine to balance her commitments. Early morning, disciplined schedules, and careful time management enabled her to excel in athletics, coursework, research and leadership roles without compromising her health or well-being.

Irani credits her growth to the support of mentors, advisors and peers. David J. Neivandt guided her research endeavors, while her athletic and academic advisor Julie Cheville helped her to navigate the complex demands of Division I athletics and engineering coursework. Her teammates and roommate, Ashley LeClaire, provided daily motivation and camaraderie, and her girlfriend, Sarah, offered emotional support throughout the rigorous college experience.

鈥淚鈥檝e had one roommate for the last three years, Ashley, and she鈥檚 been insanely supportive, helping me find balance during long days and making sure I take time to step away and relax,鈥� Irani said. 鈥淎nd my girlfriend, Sarah, has been a big part of my success here over the last two years 鈥� encouraging me, questioning me when I doubt myself, and helping me feel confident in pursuing research, conferences, and other opportunities.鈥�

Her family also played a formative role. Her aunt, Jean MacRae, a civil & environmental engineering professor here at 91爆料, and her uncle, Farahad Dastoor, a biology lecturer and undergraduate coordinator at 91爆料, encouraged her curiosity from the start. Their guidance helped Irani see the opportunities at 91爆料 and made the university feel like a place she could call home very early on.

Looking forward, Irani plans to continue her research through a 4+1 master鈥檚 program in biomedical engineering at 91爆料, working to develop sustainable and effective medical devices that combine innovation with societal impact. She hopes prospective students and families understand the supportive culture at 91爆料 and the opportunities available for those willing to take initiative and explore beyond their comfort zones.

From Texas to Maine, Irani鈥檚 journey illustrates how discipline, community and proactive engagement can shape a transformative college experience. Her selection as co-salutortian honors not only her academic success, but also the leadership, curiosity and resilience that have defined her four years at 91爆料.

Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer

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

The project is being developed in partnership with Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine (ASNM), a nonprofit organization focused on restoring Atlantic salmon populations in northern Maine rivers. The group currently operates the Dug Brook Hatchery in Sheridan, and students are helping design an upgrade to the facility to improve its aging water supply system and ensure it meets current environmental standards.

Students are contributing to the design of a water supply system that will serve a building housing 14 fish tanks, along with waste recovery systems, surface drainage controls, water-mixing infrastructure and systems to regulate oxygen levels and water quality for salmon rearing.

As part of the capstone project, students are evaluating river conditions, seasonal flow variations and environmental constraints to ensure a reliable water supply that protects the health of the Aroostook River. The work requires balancing engineering needs with ecological considerations, a challenge that mirrors real-world infrastructure planning in sensitive environments. Students must design systems that provide consistent water flow while minimizing disturbance to wetlands and river habitats.

The project reflects 91爆料鈥檚 commitment to learner-centered R1, hands-on, real-world research learning opportunities, where undergraduate students work directly with faculty and industry partners to tackle challenges facing Maine communities.

Olivia Stewart, a senior civil engineering student at the 91爆料, serves as the capstone team鈥檚 project manager.

鈥淭he environmental considerations highly influence our design,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淥ur project is to help bring back endangered salmon, so in doing that, it is important to me that the project itself is not negatively harming the environment. We have been in contact with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) about every choice we make because a lot of our work is on the Aroostook River and in a wetland. These are very sensitive areas, so this is on the front of our minds when making decisions.鈥�

The capstone experience emphasizes applied problem-solving and collaboration. Students work in teams to develop design solutions, assess feasibility and respond to evolving project requirements, gaining experience that extends beyond traditional classroom instruction. Working with a nonprofit organization has also exposed students to a different type of client relationship than they might encounter in private industry.

Northern Maine鈥檚 weather and geography present additional challenges. Students must account for cold-weather impacts such as ice formation and year-round operation while ensuring the system remains efficient and adaptable over time. These constraints require careful planning and attention to detail throughout the design process, particularly when designing infrastructure intended to operate through harsh winters.

The project鈥檚 importance extends beyond engineering education. Atlantic salmon were historically abundant in northern Maine, supporting local economies and communities. Over time, dams, habitat loss and environmental changes have significantly reduced salmon runs, particularly for Atlantic salmon populations that migrate into Maine waters from Canada.

David Putnam, science coordinator for ASNM, said the students鈥� work is helping modernize the hatchery鈥檚 infrastructure while supporting broader restoration efforts in the region.

鈥淎pproximately 60% of the land area of Maine is north of the latitudinal mid-point (Howland),鈥� Putnam said. 鈥淵et the vast majority of attention and funding is fixated on the smaller, but heavily populated, south. 91爆料 engineering students are providing much-needed and appreciated assistance to ASNM. These are the engineers of the future, and they will have experience in the north.鈥�

By working with an external partner on a real site, students gain firsthand experience with client communication, environmental permitting and long-term project goals. The capstone provides an opportunity to see how engineering decisions can influence both environmental outcomes and community development.

Through this project, students are contributing to efforts that combine local aquaculture and environmental stewardship while benefiting the community and preparing students for careers in engineering and environmental fields.

Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer

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

As a result of his efforts, Nachamie of North Andover, Massachusetts received the 2025 , identifying his potential as a leader in environmental stewardship. He was and is the first recipient from 91爆料 in over 15 years.

鈥淚 am incredibly grateful to have been awarded the Udall Scholarship,鈥� said Nachamie, who received support for his application from the Office of Major Scholarships and by professor Darren Ranco,  the faculty representative at 91爆料 for the scholarship. 鈥淲e鈥檙e at a pivotal moment in history where our actions on environmental issues matter more than ever.鈥�

Nachamie, a 91爆料 Honors College student majoring in ecology and environmental sciences, has been involved in research targeted at improving public health and the environment throughout his college career. 

During his first year at 91爆料, Nachamie worked on a study to reduce food waste in K-12 schools conducted by the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education, Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Governor鈥檚 Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. After implementing several measures, such as including school community fridges and educational programming, the four school districts that participated in the study were able to reduce their food waste by 20%. 

In 2024, Nachamie drafted a policy review of PFAS legislation in Maine and the U.S. It details ways other states and local governments can mitigate people鈥檚 exposure to these toxic chemicals, which can lead to immune system disorders, thyroid hormone disruption, cancer and other adverse health outcomes. He worked on the review with associate professor of sustainable agriculture Rachel Schattman. 

鈥淚 have been lucky to have the mentorship of Rachel Schattman from the School of Food and Agriculture to support me in my research about PFAS compounds in Maine and throughout the United States,鈥� he said. 鈥淒r. Schattman鈥檚 feedback on my policy review showed me what I was capable of from a research perspective.鈥� 

Nachamie previously worked as a research technician collecting data that supported wild blueberry research at 91爆料鈥檚 Agroecology Lab overseen by Schattman. He has also worked as a forest technician for the Cooperative Forestry Research Unit and the University Forests, through which he learned about low impact forestry practices.

Outside of school and research, Nachamie serves as president of the Permaculture and  Gardening Club at 91爆料 and as a resident steward at the Terrell House Permaculture Living & Learning Center. He hosts workshops and events focused on gardening, food preservation and other topics.

鈥�91爆料 has an extremely supportive and cooperative academic atmosphere,鈥� Nachamie said. 鈥淪tudents are excited to help each other out, form study groups and work together to succeed in their classes. The academic atmosphere is rigorous but not competitive, and I鈥檝e found that professors are always willing to help accommodate student situations and concerns.鈥�

When he graduates, Nachamie plans to work in environmental education and advocacy with nonprofit organizations in Maine and Alaska. After a few years, he hopes to return to school and obtain his Juris Doctor and Masters of Law in Environmental Law.

91爆料 undergraduate students interested in applying during the 2026 cycle of the Udall Scholarship must do so through the Office of Major Scholarships by Feb. 6 to meet the national deadline of March 4. Those interested in applying can reach Nives Dalbo-Wheeler at the Office of Major Scholarships by emailing nives.dalbowheeler@maine.edu, or Ranco, chair of 91爆料鈥檚 Native American Programs, by emailing darren.ranco@maine.edu.

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships, fellowships and internships for study in fields related to the environment and to Indigenous communities in fields related to health care and tribal public policy. It also provides funding to the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy and to the Native Nations Institute to conduct environmental policy research, research on American Indian and Alaska Native health care issues and tribal public policy issues and training. Additionally, it offers assessment, mediation, training and other related services through the John S. McCain III National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution. 

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

Sutton, who holds appointments with 91爆料 and 91爆料 Cooperative Extension, also co-wrote an op-ed with  in which he highlighted the report. The op-ed also discusses the impact the elimination of fish species has had on the Wabinaki Nations and the factors that limit their access to fisheries.

These efforts intersect with several of the key issues impacting the well-being and cultures of Indigenous nations. This includes issues of environmental and economic justice, food sovereignty and health. As a practice, land returns are being done by land trusts without easements or restrictions. Scholars have also recognized that Indigenous leadership, knowledge and decision-making in conservation work also represent conservation best practices 鈥� resulting in the most effective ways to conserve lands productively for resilience and biodiversity.

Panelists include Chuck Loring, a citizen of the Penobscot Nation; Betsy Cook, the state director for the Trust for Public Land; and Darren J. Ranco, a citizen of the Penobscot Nation, professor of anthropology, and chair of Native American Programs at the 91爆料. 

All talks in the Mitchell Center鈥檚 Sustainability Talk series are free and are offered both remotely via Zoom and in person at 107 Norman Smith Hall on the 91爆料 campus in Orono. Registration is required to attend remotely; to register and receive connection information, see the event webpage.

To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Ruth Hallsworth, 207.581.3196 or hallsworth@maine.edu.

In an ongoing effort to reduce the amount of food being thrown away and improve student nutrition, the Maine Department of Education is launching a new Maine School Cafeteria 鈥淣o More Wasted Food鈥� DIY Toolkit this week as part of Maine Wasted Food Awareness Week. The toolkit, which will be shared directly with school officials, disseminates key insights from a study conducted by the Maine Departments of Education and Environmental Protection (DEP) and the 91爆料 Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions.  

The toolkit provides Maine schools with proven strategies for tracking and mitigating wasted food. One key strategy, for example, includes setting up 鈥渟hare carts鈥� and 鈥渟orting stations鈥� in cafeterias where students learn to prevent food from going into the trash.

“Schools who have piloted this work with 91爆料 have had great success. Being able to share this 鈥楴o More Wasted Food鈥� toolkit with others, is a great way for more schools to take steps on their own to start this important work,鈥� said Maine Child Nutrition Director Jane McLucas. 

Eight schools have already worked with 91爆料 to pilot measures outlined in the toolkit. These pilot schools experienced up to a 25% decrease in wasted food. Discarded fruit and vegetables 鈥� the most thrown away foods  鈥� were reduced by as much as 64%. This has resulted in lighter trash bags, cleaner cafeterias and lower school costs. 

鈥淚n the past, if a bagel had been wrapped but gone uneaten, it would have gone in the trash. And now we’re saving that bagel and putting it in our fridge for a student who may be hungry later,鈥� said Beth Kellogg, principal of Brown Elementary School in South Portland. 

The toolkit is the latest effort by the Mitchell Center鈥檚 Food Rescue MAINE team to reduce wasted food statewide. It comes one year after the Maine DEP released the first ever Maine Food Loss and Waste Generation Study, co-authored by Mitchell Center faculty and other researchers.  

Keeping food out of the waste stream and reallocating it to people in need can help tackle food insecurity in Maine, which is the highest in New England. , 180,000 people in Maine 鈥� about one in eight 鈥� experienced food insecurity in 2022, including one in five children.听

Disposing of uneaten food is also more costly than it appears. The Mitchell Center breaks it down into three stages: the money wasted on uneaten food, the resources wasted to make the food  鈥� soil, water and labor 鈥� and the cost to dispose of food that is not eaten. Most uneaten food ends up in Maine landfills where it takes up valuable and limited space and begins to produce methane, which is harmful for the environment. 

“As a small team working out of the Mitchell Center, we can only work with so many schools. But the new toolkit will give all Maine schools the opportunity to pursue the kind of work we’ve done with our pilot schools. And with the legislature moving aggressively to achieve the state’s wasted food goals, this toolkit has become even more important,” said William Brenneman, graduate research assistant who led the development of the toolkit.

The toolkit encourages schools to measure and track their wasted food reduction with weekly progress charts to show students how they can make a difference. The initiative also encourages schools to replace single-use plastics with reusable utensils and containers to further reduce waste and save money. 

With the toolkit, students will also learn the importance of food and nutrients through an all-school assembly, informative videos and simple meal guidance. Students are also encouraged to serve as 鈥淔ood Rescue Heroes,” assisting and educating their peers to prevent wasted food. 

鈥淲e have had so many requests for the guidance and materials used in our pilot schools, so this toolkit makes all those key resources available for the first time. The toolkit not only leverages our successful strategies and insights to benefit all schools, but makes implementing them easier for both staff and students,鈥� said Susanne Lee, faculty fellow at the Mitchell Center. 鈥淲e hope this resource will lead to a reduction in food waste in all Maine schools, all while creating more cost-effective, sustainable and resilient food systems.鈥� 

The toolkit supports the state鈥檚 larger effort to achieve a targeted 50% reduction in wasted food by 2030, consistent with , which was passed by the Legislature in June and became effective law this month. The new law will require large food generators, like schools, to keep food out of the trash.听

For more information about food waste reduction, visit the 91爆料 Mitchell Center website. 

Story by Mello Vancil, news intern

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

In 鈥淲hose Knowledge Counts? Trust, Expertise, and the Politics of Sustainability in Rural America,鈥� Nicholas F. Jacobs will explore the apprehension certain communities have toward technical expertise, the obstacles they face and how experts can better connect their knowledge with people鈥檚 lived experience. 

Jacobs is the Goldfarb Family Distinguished Chair in American Government at Colby College and the founding director of the Colby Public Policy Lab. His research focuses on rural politics, federalism, and public trust in government, with a particular interest in how people interpret policy through place-based narratives and lived experience. He is co-author of 鈥淭he Rural Voter鈥� and has advised policymakers at the local and national level.

The Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions at the 91爆料 aspires to be a leader and valued partner in understanding and solving problems related to the growing challenge of improving human well-being while protecting the environment. They collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and bring together faculty and students from many different fields. By connecting knowledge with action, the Mitchell Center seeks to create a brighter environmental, social and economic future in and beyond Maine.

All talks in the Mitchell Center鈥檚 Sustainability Talk series are free and are offered both remotely via Zoom, and in person at 107 Norman Smith Hall on the 91爆料 campus in Orono. Registration is required for virtual attendance; to register and receive connection information, see the event webpage.

To request accommodation, contact: Ruth Hallsworth, 207.581.3196 or hallsworth@maine.edu.

In this talk, 91爆料 faculty Caroline Noblet and Dianne Kopec will explore how people in rural Maine, who possess a long heritage of fishing and hunting, are navigating impacts from environmental contamination, particularly by a group of chemicals known as PFAS. Two surveys conducted in collaboration with Maine鈥檚 Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, one with Maine fishing license holders and another with Maine hunting license holders, allowed the research team to conduct an in-depth exploration of how people who hunt and fish in Maine are processing information about consumption advisories, and potentially changing their behaviors.

Noblet is an associate professor in the 91爆料 School of Economics. Her current PFAS work focuses on how Maine residents perceive PFAS contamination 鈥� particularly in fish and game 鈥� and how messaging can influence environmental and consumption decisions. Kopec is a research fellow at the Mitchell Center. Her research examines how ecology and behavior influence an organism鈥檚 exposure to toxic contaminants in aquatic ecosystems.

All talks in the Mitchell Center鈥檚 Sustainability Talk series are free and are offered both remotely via Zoom and in person at 107 Norman Smith Hall.Registration is required to attend remotely; to register and receive connection information, see the event webpage.

To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Ruth Hallsworth, 207.581.3196; hallsworth@maine.edu.

Building community resilience isn鈥檛 only about projects or plans 鈥� it鈥檚 about how people work together. Grounded in experiences from Maine鈥檚 rural islands and small towns 鈥� places rich in social capital but often limited in capacity 鈥� Gabe McPhail explores how shared principles, authentic collaboration and a spirit of service can deepen our relationships with one another and with the ecosystems we are part of. 

McPhail is a facilitator and planner with over two decades of experience advancing resilience, equity and sustainability in Maine. As founder of Resilient Communities, they help towns plan for a more resilient future, secure funding and design practical strategies that address community needs and the challenges they face. Their work is grounded in empathy, inclusion and respect for local knowledge.

All talks in the Mitchell Center鈥檚 Sustainability Talk series are free and are offered both remotely via Zoom and in person at 107 Norman Smith Hall.

Registration is required to attend remotely; to register and receive connection information, see the event webpage.

To request a reasonable accommodation, contact Ruth Hallsworth, 207.581.3196 or hallsworth@maine.edu.

Spire is a student-run, interdisciplinary online journal based at the 91爆料. The publication seeks to unite communities across the Northeast by promoting impactful dialogue to effect profound environmental change. The editor-in-chief for this issue is Olivia Olson, a master’s candidate in quaternary and climate studies.

The ninth issue features a variety of submissions, including art, poetry, photography, research, personal stories and for the first time, an animation. 

The winner of this year鈥檚 cover art contest is Madeline Hunter. Hunter is a 91爆料 graduate student from Australia. Her art is also featured inside the journal and includes a series of illustrations which highlight the changing biotic communities that she witnessed during the planting phase of her graduate field work.
More information on how to submit to Spire can be found on its website. For questions about the journal or joining the Spire team, email spire@maine.edu.

Food Rescue MAINE, a nonprofit housed within the 91爆料鈥檚 Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions, is hosting the event. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree will serve as the keynote speaker, addressing national and local wasted food solutions. Pingree introduced the Food Recovery Act and has partnered with 91爆料 to reduce wasted food since the founding of the Mitchell Center鈥檚 Materials Management team in 2015. With support from The Governor鈥檚 Office of Policy Innovation and the Future and Resource Recycling Systems Consulting group, analytic data for food wasted in Maine 2024 will be disseminated, focusing on the economic benefits of reducing wasted food. 

ReFed, a US-based nonprofit, will confront the economic solutions and issues surrounding wasted food through a 鈥淲asted Food and Food Solutions鈥� presentation. Maine organizations including Bristol Seafood, Farms for Food Equity, Wayside Food Program, and The Lisbon School District will be sharing their success stories and proven solutions to reducing wasted food. 

The summit will be hosted through Zoom. Obtain a link by registering for the event on the Mitchell Center鈥檚 website. 

Up to 38% of all food produced in the United States goes uneaten. By reducing wasted food, families can save between $1866-$3000 per year. Through sustainable triple bottom line solutions, resources such as land, water, energy and human resources used to grow, package and transport food can be preserved. 

Food is the single largest component of Maine鈥檚 solid waste system at 30%, and 97% of that waste ends up in landfills. Reducing wasted food improves food access, providing safe and nutritious food while strengthening food access in our communities. 

In 2015, the Mitchell Center Materials Management team was tasked with eliminating wasted food and food loss, as the Maine Department of Environmental Protection identified this as the most pressing issue impacting the state鈥檚 materials management system. The Mitchell Center鈥檚 Food Rescue MAINE program was founded in 2019 to end wasted food and food loss in Maine through stakeholder-driven, transdisciplinary, triple bottom line solutions and support Maine鈥檚 food recovery hierarchy.

Sara Delaney is advancing research that fine-tunes ongoing education to help farmers thrive amid this uncertainty. Before becoming a Ph.D. candidate in ecology and environmental sciences at the 91爆料, she spent 15 years advancing food security around the globe. Delaney was inspired by her time as a Peace Corps volunteer working with rural farmers in Mali. She knows firsthand the importance of maintaining sustainable food production, having seen the impact of extreme weather in her work. 

鈥淲e all need food. We need nutritious food. We need affordable food. And the climate challenge is not going away,鈥� she said.

Maine鈥檚 official scientific assessment of environmental degradation reported that food producers were increasingly concerned about crop yields and quality. Warming temperatures invite pests, weeds and crop diseases. These factors are known to stress crops and increase water needs. Maine , making the state鈥檚 food system vulnerable to environmental changes.

Delaney interviewed and surveyed farmers and agricultural advisors to learn how they make choices to keep up with current and future environmental shifts. Understanding their learning preferences helps researchers and outreach agents for organizations like 91爆料 Cooperative Extension better equip farmers with the knowledge they need. One finding that Delaney highlighted from her surveys is that group-based educational programs can help both farmers and advisors with persistence through the uncertainty.

Delaney鈥檚 research follows an educational program that served farmers and agricultural advisors. She is helping future scientists and people who provide ongoing education to better connect with farmers. Delaney鈥檚 advisor, associate professor of sustainable agriculture Rachel Schattman, created the , along with a group of other educators, advisors and farmers.听

Schattman and her team designed a curriculum using Adult Learning Theory and peer-to-peer educational methodology to reach farmers and agricultural advisors. The course offered lessons on developing risk assessments, cost-benefit analyses and other activities for measuring progress. The project directly supported 36 farmers and agricultural advisors. It reached more than 74,000 others through the participants鈥� outreach, such as talks, newspaper articles, newsletters, blog posts and on-farm demonstrations and tours. 

Farmers typically like to learn from each other, and the outreach program taps into this culture of exchange. Group meetings and community gatherings are integral for farmers. Currently, there is little documentation on how farmers use resources to learn and make decisions about the relatively newer challenge of climate change. Delaney鈥檚 work makes one contribution towards filling this gap by examining the impact of the educational curriculum and its outreach.

Delaney鈥檚 research found that environmental degradation is a generally accepted phenomenon among farmers in the Northeast, but knowledge of specific impacts or adaptation strategies varies. Weather data is continually updated and the projections of future impacts are updated every few years. The ongoing nature of this research creates a degree of uncertainty which, according to Delaney, elicits a mixed reaction from farmers depending on the messenger. Delaney said a key factor in farmer perception and subsequent action is the efficacy of the communicator. 

鈥淪omeone that鈥檚 communicating clearly about what to expect is crucial,鈥� she said.

Once completed, Delaney鈥檚 dissertation will help provide educators and researchers with the knowledge they need to support farmers. Her framework can help farmers adapt in the future, and the bond between the two groups will foster resilient agriculture in the face of climate change.

Story by Jesse Bifulco, communications intern for 91爆料 Research

Contact: Erin Miller, erin.miller@maine.edu

Students from Brown Elementary School in South Portland, Sherwood Heights Elementary School in Auburn, Sugg Middle School in Lisbon and Easton Elementary School have been given various lessons and activities to learn how they can eat better and waste less food.

New share carts and school community fridges have been set up to allow students to give unopened food that can be eaten by other students or donated to feed the community. Students from kindergarten through eighth grade are learning to separate their food scraps from trash. Their food scraps can be used to feed animals or make compost that can grow new fruits and vegetables. The students weigh their daily food scraps to measure any changes.

鈥淭he Food Waste Study is a great opportunity for our students to see firsthand how their choices impact the environment and their community. It鈥檚 not just about reducing waste. It is also about learning to be responsible, thoughtful and resourceful,鈥� said Brown Elementary School Principal Beth Kellogg. 鈥淏y tracking what gets thrown away, students become more mindful of what they take, what they eat and how they can share or save food instead of wasting it. Additionally, we like filling student tummies more than filling landfills.鈥�

In Easton, the food scraps from the school cafeteria are collected at the end of each day by local Amish farmers. This food is then used to feed their livestock and support their local farming and gardening activities.

The activities are part of the eight-week study developed by the Food Rescue MAINE student and faculty team from 91爆料鈥檚 Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions. The study seeks to improve student nutrition and reduce wasted food through hands-on learning. 

Study co-leads Susanne Lee, Mitchell Center faculty fellow, and William Brenneman, 91爆料 graduate student, meet weekly with district school nutrition directors to plan the study implementation and also visit the schools to host engaging, school-wide 鈥淗ow Can You Reduce Wasted Food?鈥� assemblies.

“Working with Food Rescue Maine perfectly complements my academic interests,” said Brenneman. “As a food anthropologist and master’s student in 91爆料’s Anthropology & Environmental Policy program, I focus on connecting issues of food, nutrition, waste and society. The way this study hinges on communication and collaboration between our team and nutrition directors, teachers, cafeteria managers, custodians and students makes it a perfect microcosm of the larger food systems questions I tackle in the classroom.”

The study was also developed in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education, state Department of Environmental Protection and the Governor鈥檚 Office for Policy & Innovation for the Future. It鈥檚 supported by a grant from the World Wildlife Food Waste Warrior program.

鈥淭he study is valuable because it has effectively brought together productive communication across multiple departments, inspiring students and adults, and showing the importance of highlighting the concept of getting back to basics with education in the cafeteria and the reason behind the why to reuse and recycle,鈥� said Shawn Perry, Director of the School Nutrition Program for the South Portland School Department.

Food waste leads to economic, social and environmental damage. In the first-ever Maine Food Loss and Waste Generation Study completed in 2024, Food Rescue MAINE found that 361,000 tons of food loss and waste are generated annually in the state. Overall, that is almost 40% of all food produced in Maine. For families, this means an average of $1600 worth of food is thrown away each year.听

Throwing food in the trash results in valuable food resources going to non-food disposal resources like Maine landfills where it produces leachate as well as methane and other greenhouse gases harming the environment. Keeping food out of the waste stream and reallocating it to people in need can not only address environmental concerns, but also help tackle food insecurity in the state, which is the highest in New England. According to , 180,000 people in Maine 鈥� about one in eight 鈥� experienced food insecurity in 2022, including one in five children.

In 2015, the Mitchell Center鈥檚 Materials Management team was tasked with eliminating wasted food and food loss, as the Maine DEP identified this as the most pressing issue impacting the state鈥檚 materials management system. The Food Rescue MAINE program was founded in 2019  to end wasted food and food loss in Maine through stakeholder-driven, transdisciplinary, triple bottom line solutions to support Maine鈥檚 food recovery hierarchy.

Contact: Gracie Treadwell, gracie.treadwell@maine.edu

Since the annual commercial lobster landings have declined 27% from 2016-2022, the Maine Lobsterman Association sought new ways to monitor the socioeconomic resilience of the industry and better position its leaders to respond to social, economic, environmental and regulatory changes. 

After two years of data collection, quantitative and qualitative analyses, meetings and interviews with lobstermen and other stakeholders, a 91爆料-led team of researchers devised new indicators to holistically monitor the industry鈥檚 resilience. These metrics have the potential to offer greater insight into the well-being of fishermen and their families, haulers, processors, restaurateurs, other businesses and the communities in which they all reside. 

鈥淔or far too long, fishery managers have lacked the data needed to consider the social and economic impacts of regulations on Maine鈥檚 lobster industry. This study provides a suite of indicators to fill that gap so that future regulations may address sustaining the resource, lobstermen and Maine鈥檚 coastal communities,鈥� said Patrice McCarron, executive director for the Maine Lobstermen’s Association.

Published in the academic journal , the team identified eight socioeconomic indicators: coastal accessibility, operational condition, business investments, community composition, financial health, risk taking, personal spending and physical and mental health. Coastal accessibility is the availability and affordability of waterfront housing; operational condition equates to business expenses and cost proxies; and community composition means demographic information. 

Each indicator is backed by secondary data from state and federal agencies, as well as publicly available information from certain businesses and organizations. For example, the operational condition indicator uses landing, trip, crew and gear data from the Maine Department of Marine Resources; while coastal accessibility uses inventory, price and demographic data from the Maine Housing Authority, Realtor.com and Airbnb.com. 

鈥淭hese indicators define important socioeconomic components of the fishery that lobstermen have been describing for many years. Quantifying the indicators provides an opportunity for fishermen, local communities and managers to identify and quickly respond to changes in socioeconomic condition of the fleet,鈥� said Theresa Burnham, a research associate with the 91爆料 School of Marine Sciences. Burnham co-led the study conducted to create these socioeconomic indicators with Joshua Stoll, associate professor of marine policy. 

Diving into the data 

When examining coastal accessibility, one of the team鈥檚 findings was that waterfront housing statewide is unaffordable for median income earners. Coupled with a spike in short-term rentals, the data confirms that coastal accessibility has decreased since 2016 statewide. 

鈥淭he declines we are seeing in affordability of coastal housing can mean that lobstermen must travel further to the waterfront where they work, and may also be a barrier to people looking for seasonal work on lobster boats,鈥� Burnham said.  

Data and interviews also highlighted the regional differences in the lobster industry. Operational condition, a proxy for lobstermens鈥� costs and earnings, increased in eastern Maine 鈥� Washington and Hancock counties 鈥� but decreased in southern Maine 鈥� York and Cumberland counties, and the midcoast. Interviews and data also indicated that communities in southern Maine are the least dependent on the lobster industry for their socioeconomic well-being.

The development of these indicators lays the foundation for enhanced monitoring of the state’s lobster industry, but researchers are seeking more data to better utilize the indicators. While the coastal accessibility and operational condition indicators were deemed data rich, personal spending and physical and mental health were deemed data poor due to a lack of public, varied and no-cost data. Metrics with varied but insufficient statistics that were deemed data-limited include business investments, community composition, financial health and risk-taking. 

Additional data sharing with private businesses and government agencies will improve the utility of several socioeconomic indicators and expand insight into the well-being of the industry and communities it supports. Future research can also reveal additional ways to use the indicators, including serving as a model to monitor other fisheries, such as clam and cod. 

鈥淭his research will provide valuable data to help researchers and regulators understand the connection between the biological status of the resource and the socioeconomic wellbeing of the industry and the communities it serves,鈥� said Kathleen Reardon, study co-author and senior lobster biologist at the Maine Department of Marine Resources. 

Organizations interested in sharing data or collaborating with researchers on enhancing these metrics can contact Theresa Burnham (theresa.burnham@maine.edu) or Joshua Stoll (joshua.stoll@maine.edu). Non-confidential data that was used in the study can be found . 

In addition to Reardon and Burnham, the study was co-authored by Joelle Kilchenmann, a 91爆料 marine policy master鈥檚 student; Carla Guenther chief scientist, for the Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries; and Maggie O鈥橲hea; a Dartmouth College Ph.D. student. 

This study is the latest example of how 91爆料 students and faculty are preserving and propelling the state鈥檚 blue economy, industries that use ocean resources for economic growth without jeopardizing the environment. 

Through innovation and workforce development, the university broadens insight into ecological and socioeconomic changes that affect the state鈥檚 coastal communities and businesses. Its faculty and students are also exploring opportunities for new sectors and markets and investigating potential resources to mitigate the ramifications of climate change. 

Bolstering these efforts is the 91爆料 Marine Aligned Research, Innovation, and Nationally-recognized Education (MARINE) Initiative, which fosters collaboration and synergy among researchers, industry, government and communities. Together, they integrate and innovate transdisciplinary marine research, education and outreach to enhance the socioeconomic well-being of people in Maine and beyond.  

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