University of Maine Cooperative Extension Somerset County

University of Maine Cooperative Extension Somerset County Giving local residents access to the resources and expertise of the University of Maine.

09/14/2026

Learn to Identify and Manage Invasive Plants 🌿

Not sure what’s growing on your property or what to do once you identify an invasive plant?

Join UMaine Extension’s Nick Rowley for a free workshop covering common terrestrial invasive plants, how to identify them and strategies for controlling them.

📅 September 23 | 5:30–8 p.m.
📍 UMaine Extension Somerset County Office, Skowhegan
🌱 Approved for 2 Pesticide Recertification Credits

Space is limited, so register today!

👉 extension.umaine.edu/event/introduction-to-invasive-plant-id-management

09/14/2026

A Better Garden or Field Next Year Starts With Your Soil This Fall 🌱

Early fall is a great time to test your soil. Testing now gives you a clearer picture of what your soil needs and time to make recommended adjustments before the next growing season.

A soil test can help you determine:
✓ Soil pH and whether lime is needed
✓ Nutrient levels and fertilizer needs
✓ Steps you can take to improve soil fertility and productivity

🧪 Soil test kits and forms are available through UMaine Extension county offices, or samples can be submitted directly to the University of Maine Analytical Lab and Maine Soil Testing Service.

Whether you’re growing vegetables, managing a lawn or garden, or working with agricultural fields, test—don’t guess!

🔗 Learn more and get started: https://umaine.edu/soiltestinglab/

09/14/2026

Large Webs in Your Trees? They May Not Be Browntail Moth! 🕸️

Large webs appearing in Maine trees in late summer are often the work of native fall webworm caterpillars—not browntail moth.

📸 In the image:
⬅️ LEFT: A large fall webworm web covering branches of a tree.
➡️ RIGHT: A close-up showing the hairy, yellow-bodied fall webworm caterpillars on and inside the web.

Fall webworm webs can grow larger than a football and sometimes cover entire branches or trees. The good news? They do not cause a rash and are not considered a forest health concern. Their webs will naturally break down over the coming months.

Browntail moth webs look different. They are much smaller, roughly palm-sized, and the young caterpillars are pale yellow with black heads and two dark spots near the head.

🌳 Knowing what you’re looking at can help you decide whether action is needed. Learn more from our partners at and Maine Forest Service.

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/invasive_threats/browntail_moth_info.htm?fbclid=IwY2xjawUNAWNwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTVuc0lhbWRRRXltR1FWTTVzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEezmX6ZqlhnxKrTdKCNdNr356-nkZ8zjSmBM1CXE3SE9ZoN4p3KNkzGevTsak_aem_euozEzv-zR96O_3ZTolGxg

09/14/2026

September is Food Safety Education Month! 🧼

Whether you’re packing lunch, preparing dinner or cooking for a crowd, food safety starts with a few simple habits.

Remember the basics:
🧼 Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often.
🥩 Separate: Keep raw meat, poultry and seafood away from ready-to-eat foods.
🌡️ Cook: Use a food thermometer to make sure foods reach a safe internal temperature.
❄️ Chill: Refrigerate perishable foods promptly.

Small steps in the kitchen can make a big difference in preventing foodborne illness.

UMaine Extension offers food safety information and training for home cooks, volunteers, food service professionals, producers and more.

🔗 Explore our food safety resources and training opportunities: https://extension.umaine.edu/food-health/food-safety/training/

09/14/2026

It’s caterpillar season at Rogers Farm! 🦋

Our colleagues at Rogers Farm Demonstration Garden spotted some tiny monarch visitors among the milkweed. 🌿

If you’re walking through the gardens, take a little extra care around the milkweed and other plants—these little caterpillars can be easy to miss!

Milkweed provides essential food for monarch caterpillars as they grow and prepare for their incredible transformation.

09/14/2026

Fair Friday: Maine Fair Season Rolls On! 🎡

September is packed with agricultural fairs across Maine! Whether you’re there for the animals, exhibits, 4-H, food or simply a day at the fair, there are plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy fair season.

Happening this weekend:
🎟️ Litchfield Fair | Sept. 10–13
🎟️ Clinton Lion’s Agricultural Fair | Sept. 11–13

Still to come:
🌾 Oxford County Fair | Sept. 16–19
🌾 New Portland Lion’s Fair | Sept. 18–20
🌾 Farmington Fair | Sept. 20–26
🌾 Common Ground Country Fair | Sept. 25–27
🌾 Cumberland Fair | Sept. 27–Oct. 3
🌾 Fryeburg Fair | Oct. 4–11

Keep an eye out for UMaine Extension and Maine 4-H along the way, and be sure to say hello when you see us!

🎡 Which Maine fair are you headed to next?

09/14/2026

We’re Hiring! 🌱

UMaine Cooperative Extension has two Administrative Specialist CL3 opportunities available in York and Oxford counties!

📍 York County | Alfred
Agriculture & Horticulture
Part-time | 20 hours/week
📅 Full consideration by Sept. 18

📍 Oxford County | South Paris
Full-time | 40 hours/week
📅 Full consideration by Sept. 25

If you’re organized, enjoy working with people and want to be part of a team supporting communities across Maine, one of these opportunities could be a great fit!

🔗 York County: https://tinyurl.com/YorkAdminCL3

🔗 Oxford County: https://tinyurl.com/OxfordAdminCL3

Know someone who might be a great fit? Help us spread the word!

09/14/2026

FARMSTAND ROLL CALL! 🍎

One of the best parts of harvest season in Maine? A stop at the local farmstand.

Whether it’s a roadside table with an honor box, a family farm you visit every year or a farm store packed with Maine-grown favorites, we want to see the places you love to stop!

📸 Post a photo of your favorite Maine farmstand in the comments and you’ll be entered to win some UMaine Extension swag!

Shopping at local farmstands is a great way to enjoy what’s in season while supporting Maine farms and connecting with the people who grow our food.

👇 Let’s fill the comments with farmstands from across the state!

09/11/2026

Don't forget to grab your spot for next Tuesday's (Sept 15) Soil Health for Gardeners workshop from 5-6:30 p.m. at Tidewater Farm!

UMaine Extension Horticulture Staff, Rebecca Long, will lead an engaging workshop on the foundation of a successful garden: healthy soil. The program fee for this event is $15.

Registration is required, please visit: https://extension.umaine.edu/cumberland/tidewater/events/ This event will be held at the UMaine Gardens at Tidewater Farm, 200 Presumpscot Point Rd, Falmouth, ME 04105.

Address

7 County Drive
Skowhegan, ME
04976

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

(207) 474-9622

Website

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