Maine Department of Agriculture Conservation and Forestry

Recent data finds that 61% of workers in the state's heritage sectors, which include agriculture, fishing, forestry and logging, have identified a need for increased public education and access to health services.

While the vast majority of Maine farms are not impacted, state officials are providing testing, financial assistance, research and technical support to 127 farms of all sizes.

The June 5 event in Freeport will showcase how engineered wood products are shaping the future of construction.

The grants are expected to create jobs in trail design, construction and maintenance and revenue from materials purchases. Maine’s trail systems are considered critical for the outdoor economy.

Recipients include brewers, oyster growers and specialty producers, with award amounts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

The state PFAS Fund has selected seven research projects for funding to better understand so-called forever chemicals, which some 90 farmers unwittingly applied to their soil by fertilizing with municipal sludge.

On Monday, the USDA announced that a portion of the funding for Maine agriculture contracts was being sent out, which followed ag commissioner Amanda Beal's recent appeal.

"If agriculture is your passion, embrace it," says Amanda Beal, commissioner of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

The state says its plan to upgrade parks across Maine represents the first meaningful investment in their infrastructure for over 15 years.

Maine's 53 state parks and historic sites topped 3 million visitors for the first time in history, despite the fact that 10 popular coastal parks were closed in April and May.