AUGUSTA, Maine – On Wednesday, Governor Paul R. LePage will join hundreds of agriculture enthusiasts at Maine Farm Days in Clinton. Misty Meadows Farm will host the event, which is one of the state’s largest agricultural attractions.
Maine Farm Days features activities for both farmers and non-farmers alike, and takes place between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. August 20 and 21. Admission is free and open to the public. Governor LePage will deliver remarks at the Commissioner’s Breakfast on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
“This is a time of great promise and opportunity for Maine agriculture. While the number of farms in the U.S. has decreased, Maine has added farms and increased the market value of its agricultural products by 24 percent, to $763,062,000,” said Governor LePage. “Maine Farm Days is an excellent opportunity to meet some of the people contributing to this growth and learn how much of our food is produced and where it comes from.”
“Maine farmers work hard to bring food to our tables every day and ensure the viability of agriculture,” Commissioner Walt Whitcomb said. “This annual event gives the public a chance to experience how farms operate and for farmers to showcase and share innovation. It all is done in a fun educational atmosphere.”
Maine Farms Days has a wide range of agribusiness exhibits, equipment dealers, wagon tours, children’s learning center, craft tent, farmers market, and presentations. It is a virtual cornucopia of animals, farm information, interesting people, equipment, food and entertaining displays. A chicken lunch, sponsored by Pine Tree Camp, will be served each day.
Misty Meadows Farm is owned and operated by John and Belinda Stoughton of Clinton. The farm currently ships 38,000 pounds of milk daily to Oakhurst Dairy in Portland, with an average of 87 pounds per cow for their 530 cow herd. The Stoughton’s have a total of 850 dairy animals, and manage over 900 acres of cropland to produce feed for their herd.
For more information about the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, go to www.maine.gov/acf
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