As part of the statewide Open Farm Day on Sunday, Pineland Farms in New Gloucester welcomed more than 600 visitors to meet its variety of livestock and learn more about local agriculture.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Posted inMaine, News
Maine housing advocates warn of coming ‘tsunami’ of USDA foreclosures on rural homes
The Department of Agriculture says it’s clearing a backlog of 400 foreclosures and more than 800 delinquencies left by the Biden administration. But local housing advocates say the crisis was years in the making and that the USDA has always been slow to act when its borrowers default.
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Posted inMaine, News, Politics, Schools & Education
Maine settles lawsuit against USDA over $3 million in school funds
The Department of Agriculture agreed it will not interfere with Maine school funding based on alleged Title IX violations without following the proper procedure, according to a settlement announced Friday.
Posted inBusiness, Maine, News
USDA cancels $35M climate grant to Freeport demonstration farm
The termination letter said Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture & the Environment failed to pay at least 65% of its climate-smart agriculture grant directly to farmers.
Posted inMaine, News, Politics
Farmers angry over federal funding cuts rally at Maine State House
They showed up, on their tractors, to protest millions in cuts to federal grants, canceled support for school lunches and the termination of 20% of USDA workers who support Maine’s farmers.
Posted inHealth, Maine, News, Schools & Education
USDA freezes funds to Maine education, citing Title IX violations
The agency will freeze an unknown amount of money for ‘administrative and technological functions’ in schools but will not pause federal food programs or direct assistance for Mainers.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine Climate Council says it’s ‘not all doom and gloom’ amid concerns about federal cuts
The council working to achieve state goals to reduce climate change emissions says it is still on track despite some funding disruptions.
Posted inMaine, Nation / World, News
USDA reverses decision to pause funding to UMaine System
Funding has resumed following the halt announced Monday, Sen. Susan Collins’ office said late Wednesday.
Posted inMaine, Nation / World, News
USDA cuts programs that supply local food to schools, food banks
The federal agency canceled contracts to continue providing food and funding to Maine schools and nonprofits for 3 more years. The change comes as one in eight Mainers — about 180,000 people — faces hunger. That includes roughly 45,000 children, about 20% of the state’s total population under 18.
Posted inMaine, News
Maine lawmaker wants state to help farmers affected by federal funding freeze
A proposed bill would create a state-funded no-interest loan program for Maine farmers whose federal contracts are frozen by the Trump administration.