Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Guiding Maine's natural resource economy - Amanda Beal, Commissioner.
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You may have seen this because someone, ahem, Kerry, spilled the beans and shared it already 😉. We're pleased to recogni...
06/19/2026

You may have seen this because someone, ahem, Kerry, spilled the beans and shared it already 😉. We're pleased to recognize Kerry Enos of Worth the Wait Farm in Denmark as part of Maine's Year of the Woman Farmer.

Kerry's story is one of dedication, stewardship, and investing in the future. A lifelong dairy goat enthusiast who got her start through 4-H, she now raises Guernsey dairy goats, a threatened breed with only a few thousand animals remaining in the United States. Through her careful breeding program, animal husbandry, and involvement in youth education, Kerry is helping preserve an important agricultural heritage while inspiring the next generation of farmers.

Farmers know it well; it's about passing knowledge, values, and opportunity from one generation to the next. Thank you, Kerry, for your leadership and dedication to Maine agriculture. 🐐💚

Portland Farmers Market 4-H University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Oxford County

As part of Maine's Year of the Woman Farmer, we are proud to recognize Erica Berman and her all-women farming team at Ve...
06/18/2026

As part of Maine's Year of the Woman Farmer, we are proud to recognize Erica Berman and her all-women farming team at Veggies to Table in Newcastle. They grow thousands of pounds of vegetables and flowers each year, and donate 100% of their harvest to neighbors experiencing hunger and hardship.

Their work is rooted in a powerful belief: everyone deserves access to fresh, healthy food and moments of beauty, regardless of circumstance. By providing food for people facing challenges, Erica and her team are helping meet one of Maine's most urgent needs with compassion and dignity.

Thank you, Erica and team, for showing how agriculture nourishes body and spirit.

Congratulations, District Ranger Shane Nichols. Your 30+ years of service, leadership, and dedication to Maine's forests...
06/17/2026

Congratulations, District Ranger Shane Nichols. Your 30+ years of service, leadership, and dedication to Maine's forests, communities, and wildfire response efforts have made a lasting impact. We value and appreciate all you do and are grateful for the collective work and commitment of the Maine Forest Service team.

Please join us in wishing Shane continued success in his new role.

We’re proud to recognize Seren Huus Sinisi of Old Crow Ranch in Durham. Alongside her spouse, Steve, Seren has built a d...
06/17/2026

We’re proud to recognize Seren Huus Sinisi of Old Crow Ranch in Durham. Alongside her spouse, Steve, Seren has built a diverse farm focused on raising livestock and growing vegetables while fostering connections among people, local food, and rural life.

Through the farm store, support of fellow producers, and agritourism experiences like the Crow’s Nest Tiny House farm stay, Seren is inviting visitors to experience firsthand the work and values that define Maine agriculture.

Thank you, Seren, for your commitment to farming and community!

Meet Keith and Carol Hegedus. For them, a campsite isn't just a place to stay, it's home. At least for a little while!Th...
06/16/2026

Meet Keith and Carol Hegedus. For them, a campsite isn't just a place to stay, it's home. At least for a little while!

The North Carolina couple spends much of the year traveling as campground hosts, trading their time and talents for the opportunity to live and work in some of America's most beautiful parks. This summer, they've made Sebago Lake State Park their home away from home.

From helping keep facilities clean and welcoming to tackling important projects and greeting campers, campground hosts play an important role in creating memorable park experiences. Along the way, they enjoy meeting people, staying active, and exploring new places.

"It's a wonderful way to see the country and meet people," Keith says.

Interested in becoming a campground host in a Maine State Park? Learn more and apply at:

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/parks/get_involved/volunteer/campground-host.shtml

Read the whole story at https://www.pressherald.com/2026/06/16/want-to-camp-for-free-become-a-volunteer-host-at-a-maine-state-park.



Photo: Press Herald, Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

Kerry Payne of Blenheim Park Maine is self-taught and driven by equal parts determination, creativity, and hard work. Sh...
06/15/2026

Kerry Payne of Blenheim Park Maine is self-taught and driven by equal parts determination, creativity, and hard work. She grew Maine’s largest cherry farm and one of New England’s only ornamental cherry blossom orchards.

From spring blossoms to summer harvests and value-added products, Kerry has shown what’s possible when passion meets perseverance. Her work is helping diversify Maine agriculture while creating something truly unique for visitors, customers, and her community.

We’re proud to recognize Kerry as part of the Year of the Woman Farmer in Maine 2026. 🍒

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), the Maine Department of Economic and Community De...
06/12/2026

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), and the Maine International Trade Center (MITC) were delighted to co-host the Wood Build Maine Conference at the Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment on June 5, 2026.

Wood Build Maine brought together innovators, architects, builders, manufacturers, policymakers, planners, and investors interested in expanding opportunities for wood building, design, and innovation.

Inspired by interest in Maine’s wood bioeconomy and DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal’s participation in Wood Build Finland 2025, the conference reflected a growing global movement to advance wood as a design-forward, climate-smart, and economically compelling building material.

More than 100 participants filled Wolfe’s Neck’s Smith Center for Education & Research, including a delegation of forestry industry and government stakeholders from Finland. The delegation was hosted as part of the State of Maine’s ongoing collaboration under a Memorandum of Understanding with Finland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on the forest bioeconomy. In addition to the conference, the delegates, led by Pekka Pesonen, Permanent Secretary of Finland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal, visited the State House and enjoyed tours at the University of Maine, the Maine Port Authority and working waterfront, the Maine Forest Service’s Bolton Hill facility, managed forestland, and a variety of wood construction sites.

This event would not have been possible without the contributions of conference speakers, supporters, attendees, and its primary sponsor, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).

The hosts are deeply appreciative of all the support for Wood Build Maine, and we hope the experience sparked much inspiration, encouragement, and connections within Maine’s forest bioeconomy.

Sue McCrum’s story is deeply rooted in the land, family, and traditions of Aroostook County agriculture. As part of a fi...
06/12/2026

Sue McCrum’s story is deeply rooted in the land, family, and traditions of Aroostook County agriculture. As part of a fifth-generation potato farming family at Penobscot McCrum LLC Farm, she has helped carry forward a legacy built on hard work, collaboration, and care for the farming community.

From hands-on work in the field to advocating for family farms on a national stage, Sue has helped elevate the voice of Maine agriculture while remaining grounded in the values that define it. We’re proud to recognize Sue as part of the Year of the Woman Farmer in Maine 2026. 🥔❤️​

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), the Maine Department of Economic and Community De...
06/11/2026

The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF), the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), and the Maine International Trade Center (MITC) were honored to co-host a delegation of forestry industry and government stakeholders from Finland as part of the State of Maine’s ongoing collaboration under a Memorandum of Understanding with Finland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on the forest bioeconomy.

Delegates, led by Pekka Pesonen, Permanent Secretary of Finland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal, visited the State House and enjoyed tours at the University of Maine, the Maine Port Authority and working waterfront, the Maine Forest Service’s Bolton Hill facility, managed forestland, and a variety of wood construction sites.

Generously sponsored by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), the itinerary culminated with the Wood Build Maine conference, also co-hosted by DACF, DECD, and MITC.

DACF has led collaborative activities with Finland on behalf of the State of Maine since 2019 and anticipates additional opportunities for exchange and collaboration in support of Maine and Finland’s forest sectors in the coming years.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to all who supported this important collaboration, including staff, sponsors, speakers, site hosts, and our esteemed delegates from Finland.

Kiitos!

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18 Elkins Lane
Augusta, ME
04330

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+12072873200

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