Nationally awarded farm quarterly serving Maine since 2008,
always FREE!
Scenic and ecologically significant lands on and around Baker
Mountain within the 100-Mile-Wilderness region between Gulf Hagas
and Greenville are now permanently protected by the Appalachian
Mtn. Club(AMC) as announced on March 3. With assistance from The
Nature Conservancy (TNC), the purchase of this secondhighest peak
in Maine between Bigelow and Katahdin, stands above the headwaters
of the West Branch of the PleasantRiver, is a vibrant wild brook
trout fishery in a road less mature stand of hardwood and softwood
and includes a majorhabitat of the rare Bicknells thrush. The land
purchase bordering so much protected land will be managed
forsustainable forestry, recreation, and habitat protection. Access
will be provided by AMC. TNC was key to purchaseand protect the
3,521-foot summit of Baker Mtn. The land acquisition, establishment
of a stewardship endowmentfund and related costs totaled about $2.4
million, according to AMC spokesman Walter Graff
100-Mile Wilderness
The Northeast Livestock Expo(NELE) offers opportunity for adult
and youthlivestock producers to market breeding stock,meat animals,
and participate in educationalseminars starting at 9 am each day.
The generalpublic is invited to gain a better understanding
oflivestock commodities and agriculture, May, 15,16 & 17. The
NELE Trade Show supportsagricultural-related businesses exhibiting
theirproducts and services with Maine food vendorspresenting a fun
weekend of agriculture.
The Maine Potato Board honoredRobert M. Irving of Caribou as the
2014 YoungFarmer of the Year at the Maine AgriculturalTrade Show
here in January. Robbie is the son ofSteve and Patti Irving of
Washburn. Growing upon the farm, Robbie is the sixth generation of
theIrving family to raise potatoes starting with
hisgreat-great-great-grandfather John in the late1800's. Robbie's
great-grandfather Ken Irving es-tablished the "home farm" in
Washburn in 1936,and today Irving Farms Inc. is based in
Caribou,where Robbie farms with his uncles Scott and Jeffand with
his father until his recent retirement.
Robbie and his wife Meagan have two children,four-year old
Carter and 11-month old Evelyn;(pictured left) Carter loves
tractors and already isproudly planning to be the seventh
generationIrving to be a potato grower in Maine! Robbie lived the
whole farm experience. "I waslucky to have grown up on a farm and
to have
Council office closed
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The national Beef Checkoff Pro-gram administered by the
Cattlemens Beef Board(CBB) has closed the Maine Industry Beef
IndustryCheckoff office as of December 31 regionalizing thecountry
into 44 state beef councils. Maine joins fiveother states --
Alaska, Connecticut, Massachusetts,New Hampshire and Rhode Island
-- that do not havestate beef councils administering their state
checkoffprograms. Maine now is part of the Northeast Re-gion, which
also includes Connecticut, Delaware,Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, Rhode
Story continues page 2
China wantsUSA applesSPOKANE, WASH. -Press reports indicate
allvariety of apples can nowbe shipped to China as re-sult of a
deal between thetwo nations in late January.This may increase fresh
ap-ple exports by more than10% in the next two yearsreports the
Agriculture De-partment and this marks thefirst time any apples
beyondred and golden deliciouswill be allowed, therebyopening doors
to heritage orexpanded season exports ofspecialty apples.
Thischange has been years in themaking with setbacks suchas crop
blight or geopoliticsstanding in the way of ex-panding Agricultural
trade.
Many syrup and candy producersacross the state will host open
saphouses Mar 22; see page 14 hereinfor a listing.
farmer of the year
An independent farm journal
At this years Agricultural Trade Show, a Mount Vernon resident
wasawarded the 2015 Commissioners Distinguished Service Award for
his contributions toMaine agriculture. Governor Paul R. LePage
joined Commissioner Walt Whitcomb in thepresentation for Olsons
exemplary service as executive secretary and administrator ofMaine
Farm Bureau Association. This state Ag honor has been given since
2001, in
recognition of notable contributions to Maine agriculture.Olson
was honored at the Commissioners luncheonduring the 74th Maine
Agricultural Trades Show.
Olson, was cited by Gov. LePage for representingthe diversity of
food production in New England and ispart of why Maine agriculture
is on the rise. Every day,Maine farmers and producers toil to bring
healthy, nutri-tious food to our tables. Through the contributions
of JonOlson and others we can look to the future of Maine
agriculture with great optimism. Whitcomb said, Jon Olson has
built a legacy of patient,respectful persuasion. No one individual
in that period of time has had a more lastinginfluence over the
well-being of Maine farm families. The Maine Farm Bureau
Association, with 5,700 members, is a statewide
nonprofitorganization that lobbies for issues important to
agriculture, landowners and the rural wayof life. Olson also serves
on the University of Maine Board of Agriculture, the MaineDairy
Industry Association board of directors and the Maine Equine
Industry Associationboard of directors. He is also one of the
founders and the treasurer of the AgriculturalCouncil of Maine. In
1996, Olson was the first recipient of the Maine Farm
BureauAssociations Friend of Agriculture award. Olson received a
B.A. from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota and a
Masters
Degree in Public Administra-tion with honors from the
Uni-versity of Maine. Currently heis working on a Master of
Di-vinity Degree at the BangorTheological Seminary. In1967-1969, he
was a PeaceCorps volunteer in Sierra Le-one, West Africa. Olson,
andwife, Alice, reside in MountVernon and have two sons.
Maine Farm Bureau photo
Lincoln office 794-2973 ph fx / [email protected] Publisher
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