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SPRING IN MAINE • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • March 16, 2018
STATE OF MAINE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION & FORESTRY
STATE OF M AINE
OFFIC E
OF THE
GOVERNOR
1 STATE HOUSE STATION AU GUS T A, M AINE 04333-0001
PAUL R. LEPAGE GOVERNOR
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER 22 STATE HOUSE STATION AUGUSTA, MAINE 04333
WALTER E. WHITCOMB COMMISSIONER
PAUL R. LEPAGE
A MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER WALTER E. WHITCOMB
GOVERNOR
A Message from Governor Paul R. LePage The importance of Maine agriculture to our heritage, identity and economy cannot be overstated. Maine’s 8,200 farm operations provide wholesome foods, thousands of jobs and more than $740 million in farm receipts, not including direct sales at farms or farmers markets. Agricultural enterprises large and small are benefiting from the recent growth of Maine agriculture. This is an exciting time for Maine-made products and agriculture. My administration, through the efforts of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and other state agencies, is working hard to help Maine reach its full potential. Farmers, producers, processors and distributors have an even greater opportunity to feed our neighbors, the region and the world. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has greatly improved state-generated marketing, communications and technical assistance to support agricultural enterprises large and small. The result is more connections with the public highlighting the ongoing success of Maine agriculture and the services that support the continued growth and profitability of these small businesses. Local, quality, sustainable-these three words are being used to describe Maine agriculture as part of our enhanced marketing effort. Two recent examples of rapid growth in Maine agriculture are the maple and horticultural industries. Since 2010, Maine maple syrup production has more than doubled (114% increase) and the number of taps has increased 26.5%. Since 2009, Maine horticulture sales have increased 43.6 % from $49.1 million to $70.5 million (2014), more than double the national average (18%)! Maine is working to achieve similar success with many other agricultural sectors, including potatoes and wild blueberries. These are just a couple of examples of the rapid growth of agriculture in our state in recent years. Please join me in recognizing and supporting local Maine products and the men and women responsible for producing them. We celebrate their efforts.
Maine Maple Sunday®, March 25th, is a great time to break out of winter confinement. Just like the maple trees that start showing signs of the new season in the gradually increasing warmth of spring sunshine, thousands of eager families head to a nearby maple sugarhouse to consume numerous versions of Maine’s official native sweetener, Maine maple syrup. Maine Maple Sunday® has become a nationally recognized celebration of family fun. The distinctive white steam billowing from the rooftop of a sap house, disappearing into the nearby maple grove almost seems like an attempt to raise the outside air temperature, to push the snowbanks back a little further each day encouraging an earlier arrival of spring weather. As we describe in this “Spring into Maine” feature publication, the planting season around our homes and gardens will soon follow. “Plant Something Maine” highlights the improvements we can grow around our homes and gardens this spring. Very importantly for any of us that want our home landscapes to look better and our gardens to be productive, the plant experts in Maine greenhouses and nurseries can guide our decisions around which plants will actually grow in Maine soils and climate. As we well know, not every plant thrives in Maine. Governor LePage notes in his letter that Maine is experiencing rapid increases in the maple syrup and horticulture fields. That means more places for us to visit, more features and items when we get there. Maple syrup, landscape and garden plant businesses are a connection to Maine’s diverse agricultural economy that families can see, touch and enjoy. We encourage you to locate a nearby site and create your own family experience. We wish you safe journeys. Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Walter E. Whitcomb Commissioner
Paul R. LePage Governor PHONE: (207) 287-3531 (Voice)
Approaching spring will eventually bring Maine’s growing agriculture back into bloom. The first day of spring does not initiate planting season in our northern climate, but it is maple syrup season.
888-577-6690 (TTY) www.maine.gov
FAX: (207) 287-1034
HARLOW BUILDING 18 ELKINS LANE,
PHONE: (207) 287-3200 FAX (207) 287-2400 WEB WWW.MAINE.GOV/DACF