University of Maine Cooperative Extension Hancock County

06/09/2026

The UMaine Extension Livestock and Forage Team has a few events coming up this summer.

Be sure to check our calendar of events for more information and registration https://umaine-extension.formtitan.com/ftproject/events/landing-page

June 15 Pasture walk at Quill’s End Farm, Penobscot, ME
June 23 Understanding Your Pasture event at Knight Family Farm, Garland, ME
June 30 Dairy Technology Tuesdays series: Robots at Greenvalle farm and Witter farm
July 14 Pasture walk at Duff Farm, Hodgdon, ME
July 14 Dairy Technology Tuesdays Series: Wearables at Hardy Farm, Farmington, ME
July 18 Pasture walk at East Forty Farm, Waldoboro, ME
July 22 Pasture walk at Morning Glory Farm, Bethel, ME
August 14 Pasture walk at Sparkplug Farm, Leeds, ME

05/21/2026

Space is available for our Cooking for Crowds workshop.

Taking place on Wednesday, June 3rd, at the UMaine Cooperative Extension Office in Ellsworth. Do you or someone you know prepare and cook food for groups/events? Register today!

Food Safety Training for Volunteers Many organizations and community groups rely on volunteers like you for a variety of food events for fundraising, fellowship, food pantries or other services to the community. But cooking for a crowd is tricky! How do you store all that food? When is the food comp...

05/15/2026

Thinking about a soil test this spring? 🧪🌱
We’ve been getting lots of questions and now is the perfect time to test your soil before planting! A soil test gives you the information you need to grow healthier plants, improve yields, and avoid over-fertilizing.
✔️ Know your soil’s nutrient levels
✔️ Get recommendations tailored to your garden or lawn
✔️ Save time and money by applying only what’s needed
Get your kit:
• Pick one up locally at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension office in Hancock County. (After hours? We have a pickup box outside the front door for your convenience).
• Or order online: https://umaine.edu/soiltestinglab/home/kit-request/
A little testing now can make a big difference all season long!

05/12/2026

Browntail moth caterpillars have officially emerged in parts of Maine. 🌳🐛

The Maine Forest Service has confirmed browntail moth caterpillar emergence at monitoring sites in Bangor and Newport—the latest emergence recorded in the past five years due to this spring’s cooler weather.
While populations have declined in many areas, now is the time to stay aware and take precautions, especially in communities with a history of infestation. Browntail moth hairs can cause skin irritation and respiratory issues.

Tips to reduce exposure:
• Avoid infested areas when possible
• Wear long sleeves, gloves, and closed-toe shoes outdoors
• Do yardwork on damp days to reduce airborne hairs
• Shower and change clothes after outdoor activities
And since May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, these are great tick prevention habits!
Thank you to the Maine Forest Service and Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry for continued monitoring and education efforts.

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05/05/2026

Want to Learn all about Fiddleheads? Check out our Facts on Fiddleheads publication!

Ostrich fern fiddleheads are edible, and can be identified by the brown, papery scale-like covering on the uncoiled fern. Fiddleheads are approximately 1 inch in diameter, have a smooth fern stem (not fuzzy), and also a deep “U”-shaped groove on the inside of the fern stem.

05/01/2026

Join us!
Invasive Plant Educational Workshop

Tuesday, May 26, 2026
10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Emerson Hall, 67 Court Street, Castine, Maine 04421 (park on street)

Cost: $0-20 sliding scale fee (fees contribute toward the cost of books, $25 value, snacks, and event space)
Space Limited to 30 participants

This series is run every year in collaboration with MNAP and various other partners. It is designed to train home gardeners and industry professionals on invasive plant identification and management strategies in forest, farm, and garden systems.

Participants will get a copy of the Maine Invasive Plant Field Guide ($25 value!)

CCA, Maine Board of Pesticide, and SAF credits are anticipated.R

Registration Required: https://extension.umaine.edu/agriculture/invasive-plant-educational-workshops/?

Join University of Maine Cooperative Extension for an Invasive Plant Educational Workshop, presented in collaboration with the Hancock, Piscataquis, and Somerset County Soil and Water Conservation Districts, as well as the Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP) and the Maine Forest Service (MFS). This e...

04/29/2026

Individual Farm Consultations for Blueberry Growers ~

Dr. Calderwood will be present at Extension Offices across the wild blueberry growing regions of Maine this spring for one-on-one free consultations. Sign up for an hour-and-a-half time slot to discuss anything from field management, business planning, how to get started with a new field, expertise on a particular subject, or sharing ideas about research and education efforts.

Dates available: May 4th and May 7th
Registration is required to select an available time.

https://umaine-extension.formtitan.com/ftproject/events?eventid=a1cUy000005apUI

04/28/2026

Cooking For Crowds workshop offered - Ellsworth

Many organizations and community groups rely on volunteers for a variety of food events, such as fundraising, fellowship, food pantries, or other services to the community. But cooking for a crowd is tricky! How do you store all that food? When is the food completely cooked? How long can you leave food on the buffet table? Join UMaine Extension's Laurie Bowen in this workshop on safe food handling designed specifically for volunteers. Participants receive Cooking for Crowds, a manual specifically designed for volunteer cooks, a certificate of attendance, posters, and an instant-read thermometer. This class meets the Good Shepherd Food Bank food safety training requirements.

Wednesday, June 3, 2026
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Hancock County Cooperative Extension, 63 Boggy Brook Rd., Ellsworth, ME 04605
Cost: $15
Registration deadline: May 27, 2026
Register ~ https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/food-safety/cooking-for-crowds/?

04/10/2026

Spring Essentials for Landscape and Lawn Care ~
This virtual workshop will take place:

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Format: Live Webinar (via Zoom)
This session is eligible for 2 Maine Board of Pesticides Control recertification credits.
Cost: $15

Registration required

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Time: 5-7 p.m. Format: Live Webinar (via Zoom) This session is eligible for 2 Maine Board of Pesticides Control recertification credits. Registration Cost: $15 Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. If the fee to participate poses a financial barrier, plea...

03/24/2026

UMaine Cooperative Extension hosts the Maine 4-H Agriculture Symposium!
Dates: April 19-21, 2026
Location: University of Maine, Orono
Ages: 13-18
For more info:

ORONO, Maine — University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host the 5th annual 4-H Agricultural Symposium for Maine teens on April 19–21 at UMaine in...