Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA)

It's a good time of year for Mainebiz reporters and photographers to get out on the road.

About two-thirds of the state has slid to a warmer half zone since that last edition in 2012, according to the USDA. As the climate has changed, so have farming plans in Maine.

The funding goes to four Maine farms and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and will support a wide range of projects aimed at expanding the organic food market.

More than 64,000 visitors attended the event in Unity last weekend. That total is the third-highest since the fair began in 1977.

A bill introduced by Maine's congressional delegation aims to help farmers affected by man-made forever chemicals known as PFAS that are used in industry and consumer products and can lead to serious health effects.

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is joining with other groups to urge the French producer to consider a reprieve for 89 organic dairy farms, including 14 in Maine.

The Common Ground Country Fair in Unity and the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival in Dover-Foxcroft both announced the cancellation of their in-person events, which typically draw thousands.

The Maine Organic Marketplace will expand opportunities for producers and extend the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association's presence. The marketplace is also a win for Freeport, which has long been looking for a tenant at the historic building.

Nearly a dozen organizations and government entities administered a variety of surveys that looked at the impact of the pandemic on the farming industry and what will be needed for recovery, and the findings will be discussed by a panel representing the groups.

Developments from Scarborough to Bangor get MEREDA nods; the latest on Portland house pricing trends, including April highest and lowest; Build Conference set for June; and some ribbon-cuttings and spring plantings.