Reporting Aside: Many became equine experts following column on horse in Waterville

An innocuous recent column on lessons to be learned from the Amish way of life, which ran along with a photo of a horse munching on hay at Home Depot, generated a flurry of opinions from readers on the condition of the horse, Amy Calder writes.

Cost of helping farmers manage PFAS is rising, now at $81 million

A five-year plan to help farmers includes $37 million for direct financial support, $25 million to buy contaminated farms, $11 million for agricultural research, and $7 million on medical testing and monitoring.

First cases of avian flu reported in Kennebec County

Both wild birds and a domestic flock in Kennebec County have been found to be infected with highly pathogenic avian flu this year.

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry presents 2023 Commissioner’s Distinguished Service Award

PFAS levels in livestock can diminish if contamination source removed, state officials say

Research has found that once a contamination source is removed from a farm, PFAS levels in livestock will drop to the point that products derived from the animals can be sold to consumers, officials said at a public forum last week.

Initial round of PFAS testing of groundwater finds about 75% of Maine sites within safe levels

The state last year tested more than 1,600 private wells seen as high-priority sites, and inspectors this year will test hundreds more for groundwater contamination.

Infrastructure improvement grant awarded to Black Acres Farm

The grant will provide more options for consumers as well as other livestock producers.

Flocks at elevated risk for highly infectious avian flu in Maine

Strains of the virus have led the U.S. poultry industry to euthanize more than 15.6 million chickens and 1.3 million turkeys since Jan. 1. One Maine farm has lost 250 birds this year.

Second case of avian flu detected in backyard birds in Knox County

The first case was confirmed on Sunday and the second on Wednesday; the USDA conducted tests and found the presence of the H5N1 strain in both flocks of birds.

State continues testing farmland in Fairfield as another resident told to stop using well water

"My right to clean water has been taken away from me and I didn’t have anything to do with it," Judy Poulin, 77, of Fairfield said. In October, Poulin was told to stop using the water from her well after it was shown to have high levels of toxic chemicals.