DACF News

    New Emergency Order Area Announced as Invasive Emerald Ash Borer Continues Spread into Central Maine

    March 31, 2023 - AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Maine Forest Service (MFS) announced the expansion of its Emergency Order restricting the movement of ash trees, green ash waste, ash firewood, and any other materials that may be a means of emerald ash border (EAB) transportation. The expansion follows the discovery of EAB infestations in Corinna and Newport in Penobscot County and Andover and Woodstock in Oxford County. The infestations are suspected to be the direct result of human movement of EAB. Continue Reading


    Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Announces Inaugural Agritourism Coaching Program

    March 31, 2023 - Augusta, ME - The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry announced today that it is introducing an agritourism training and coaching program. The program provides farms offering agritourism the opportunity to expand their business goals. All details and a program application are listed on the DACF agritourism webpage. Applications are due April 12, 2023. Continue Reading


    DACF to Increase and Improve Access to Maine-Grown Foods for Older Adults Using New Federal Grant

    March 28, 2023 - Augusta, ME - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) announced today that it will utilize an $800,000 Federal grant to expand the Maine Senior FarmShare Program. The program provides low-income older adults the opportunity to receive up to a $50 share of fresh, local produce at no cost directly from Maine farmers. Continue Reading


    Applications are now being accepted for Maine's Dairy Improvement Fund

    February 17, 2023 - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) is pleased to announce that Dairy Improvement Fund (DIF) applications are now being accepted. DIF provides financing to help Maine dairy businesses undertake projects to enhance their viability and vitality and improve product manufacturing, marketability, and production. DIF provides eligible borrowers loans of up to $250,000 at a 1% fixed interest rate for capital improvements. Continue Reading


    Maine Specialty Crop Grant Program Applications Now Open

    February 13, 2023 - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's (DACF) Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources seeks Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) applications for this year's round of funding. The SCBGP is a competitive grant program that funds innovative projects supporting Maine's expanding specialty crop sector and explore new market opportunities. Specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, nursery, floriculture, culinary herbs, maple, Christmas trees, and honey. Continue Reading


    Prevent contact with wild birds : Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Situational Report

    February 9, 2023 - AUGUSTA - The risk for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) remains high in Maine, and backyard flock and commercial operators are urged to prevent contact between domestic and wild birds by bringing them indoors and ensuring their outdoor areas are fully enclosed. Continue Reading


    The Big E Fair Equals Big Opportunity for Maine Businesses

    February 3, 2023 - Augusta, ME - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Agricultural Resource Development Division (ARD) announced the opening of its application period for Maine Building vendors at the 2023 Big E Fair in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Continue Reading


    Tools and Tips for Helping To Knock Out More Browntail Moths

    February 1, 2023 - AUGUSTA, Maine - To draw increased attention to the risks presented to humans by the browntail moth (BTM), the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry announced February as Browntail Moth Awareness Month. Winter is the best time to spot, clip and destroy the caterpillars lying dormant in their winter webs. Web removal prevents more caterpillars from emerging, thus reducing the risk of toxic hairs, which can cause poison ivy-like rash and asthma-like reactions in humans. BTM has been in an outbreak phase since 2015, and the rash- and itch-causing pest cannot be eradicated. Comprehensive BTM tools and tips and data-informed resources compiled by the Maine Forest Service, Board of Pesticides Control, Maine Center for Disease Control, the University of Maine, and other partners, including research, infestation tracking, FAQs, and educational materials for communities, municipalities, businesses, and healthcare providers, are available on maine.gov/dacf/knockoutbtm. Continue Reading


    Mills Administration Announces the Next Land For Maine's Future Program Call for Proposals

    January 31, 2023 - AUGUSTA - The Mills Administration announced its second call for proposals through the Land for Maine's Future Program (LMF) in a little over a month. The latest requests are for conservation and recreation projects that protect working forest land and for Working Farmland Access and Protection Program projects. Continue Reading


    Commissioner Beal Announces Recipient of the 2023 Commissioner's Distinguished Service Award

    January 11, 2023 - AUGUSTA, Maine - Yesterday, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Commissioner Amanda Beal named Caitlin Hunter the recipient of the 2023 Commissioner's Distinguished Service Award. Hunter invested more than 40 years in raising goats and making cheese and has been called the "Bedrock of the Maine Cheese Guild" and "cheesemaker extraordinaire." The Commissioner's Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who have significantly contributed to Maine agriculture. The award was presented at the DACF's Maine Agricultural Trades Show Commissioner's Luncheon on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, in front of representatives of all four Congressional offices, state legislators, past DACF Commissioners, and over 300 friends of Maine agriculture. Continue Reading


    Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal Makes Key Position Appointments

    January 10, 2023 - AUGUSTA, ME - Today, Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry (DACF) Commissioner Amanda Beal named Nancy McBrady as the Deputy Commissioner and Craig Lapine as the Bureau of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources (BAFRR) Director. Lapine replaces McBrady, who served as BAFRR Director since 2019. Lapine has served as Special Assistant to Commissioner Beal since 2020. Also joining the Department is Jo D. Saffeir, who will be stepping into the role of Special Assistant to the Commissioner. Continue Reading


    More outdoors enthusiasts than ever chose a Maine State Park campground in 2022; get your camping trip locked in for 2023

    January 6, 2023 - AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) Director Andy Cutko announced a record set during 2022 for camping nights. During 2022, Maine State Park campgrounds recorded over 319,000 visitor nights. 2022 was BPL's second-highest ranking year for total state park visitation, with more than 3.28 million people spending time at the bureau's 48 parks and historic sites. In 2021, Maine State Parks welcomed more than 3.3 million visitors and more than 315,000 campers. Continue Reading


    Allagash Wilderness Waterway Opens Applications for the 2023 Visiting Artist Program

    January 5, 2023 - AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) today announced the opening of its 2023 Allagash Wilderness Waterway (AWW) Visiting Artist Program application period. The program invites visual artists to the remote wilderness of Maine for two consecutive weeks of solitude. One artist and a guest will receive lodging at the AWW Lock Dam Camp for two weeks of the artist's choosing during August and an orientation and regular visits from AWW Rangers. Visual artists may apply on the AWW webpage. The application period ends Monday, February 6, 2023. Continue Reading


    Mills Administration Announces Next Call for Proposals for Land for Maine's Future Program

    December 13, 2022 - AUGUSTA - The Mills Administration announced two new calls for proposals through the Lands for Maine's Future Program (LMF). The requests are for projects of statewide significance, community conservation, and working forests and build on numerous successful proposals for conservation, recreation, water access, and working waterfront preservation. Continue Reading


    Baxter State Park Authority Accepting Applications for Park Director

    December 7, 2022 - AUGUSTA, Maine - The Baxter State Park Authority (BSPA), a three-person authority consisting of Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, Maine Forest Service Director Patty Cormier, and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso, announced that they are accepting applications for the position of Director of Baxter State Park. Continue Reading