 Foliage Report for October 9, 2019: The Colors of Fall are Appearing Throughout Maine for the Long Holiday Weekend
This week's fall foliage report from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry reports peak and near peak conditions throughout most of Maine, with coastal regions (zones 1 and 2) reporting high color (less than 70 percent color change).
Typically, northern Maine (zones 6 and 7) reaches peak conditions the last week of September into the first week of October. The rest of the states progression of color will start occurring from north to south in mid-October. Coastal Maine typically reaches peak conditions mid-to-late October.
"Peak conditions are a projection for the upcoming holiday weekend. Included with the foliage map is a key that indicates color progression. While there is still some green in the canopies (mostly the oak trees, which are very hardy), peak is indicated when the forest is at 70 - 100 percent color," reports Gale Ross, Maines fall foliage spokesperson. From my visual perspective, the entire state is very, very close to peak with low leaf drop, added Ross.
Enjoy one of many fall-themed events taking place over the course of the Indigenous Peoples' Day long weekend. Starting tomorrow, Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta kicks off with a weekend-long lineup of family-friendly, pumpkin-related activities, including pumpkin-boat building, a scavenger hunt, pumpkin pie eating contests, a giant pumpkin catapult a pumpkin slingshot and more. On Friday and Saturday, Acadias Oktoberfest will offer a variety of local foods, beer, wine and crafts. In the mountains, Sunday Rivers Fall Festival is also taking place this Saturday and Sunday, featuring the North American Wife Carrying Championship, New England Corn Hole Championship, music, a wine tent and more.
For foodies, next week is the much anticipated Harvest on the Harbor event, featuring unique culinary experiences and highlighting Portlands incredible food scene.
If you plan to explore Downeast this weekend, take a road trip to Acadia National Park to see the foliage surrounded by mountains, lakes and the Atlantic. Drive up Cadillac Mountain for the ultimate foliage views at the summit and see up to 100 miles, or for outdoor adventurers, hike the mountain. Rent a bike on the island and pedal along the carriage roads to enjoy the foliage from a different perspective.
Autumn enthusiasts can visit the state's official foliage website at www.mainefoliage.com to sign up to receive weekly reports by email, and can share their photos from throughout the state as the progression of color begins. Our Facebook page will include statewide events taking place throughout the foliage season, and our Instagram account (@mainefoliage) will also feature colorful fall shots. For more information about fall activities and events in Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com.
Maine Celebrates Forest Products Week, Oct. 20-26
The Maine Forest Products Council, through the State of Maine, has issued a proclamation celebrating Maine Forest Products Week Oct. 20-26 (in conjunction with National Forest Products Week).
Schools and educators are encouraged to consider teaching a lesson or creating a display, event or other activities to highlight one of Maine’s oldest industries. Perhaps you might partner with local forest-related businesses or organizations, such as your historical society.
The goals of this celebration are to showcase Maine’s rebounding forest products industry — with about $700 million in investments over the past few years — and to showcase forest-related businesses and jobs (more than 30,000) in every county in the state. Here are some reports that might be helpful:
Maine Officially Launches Harvest of the Month Program
The Maine Department of Education’s Child Nutrition Program is excited to announce the official launch of Maine’s Harvest of the Month (HOM) Program. The program was piloted in schools in Spring 2019 with participation from over 165 schools state-wide. The full roll out of the program begins this fall for School Year 2020.
PROGRAM BACKGROUND
Harvest of the Month (HOM) is a nationwide marketing campaign promoting the use of seasonally available, local products in schools, institutions, and communities. Each month, a different local product is highlighted and participating entities pledge to serve the product and promote it through educational materials and activities. The program launched in California and has been replicated by dozens of other states across the country. With Maine’s participation, all New England states now have Harvest of the Month programs.
FARMERS AND LOCAL PRODUCERS
One of the major goals of the Maine HOM program is to support Maine farmers and producers, and therefore Maine’s local economy. To help School Food Service Directors successfully source each month’s product, a list of participating producers has been created to help them connect with local farmers, providers, and distributors. Farmers and producers who provide HOM products to schools have the chance to be highlighted on the DOE website, HOM social media, etc. We would like to add more producers to the list for School Year 2020!
SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE
Participating School Food Service Directors are asked to take a pledge to serve the monthly HOM product at least two times per month in their cafeterias. In addition to this, they pledge to display HOM promotional materials, such as posters, fun facts, and stickers for students who have tried the HOM product. Featured recipes are also provided each month. They also agree to participate in evaluations so that local produce procurement can be tracked and to analyze the success of the program. Local products may be sourced directly from farms, farmer cooperatives, and distributors. When buying produce directly from a farm or farmer cooperative, School Food Service Directors may take advantage of the Local Produce Fund, which reimburses $1 for every $3 spent on local produce.
Agriculture and Education in Partnership
The Maine Department of Education and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry have been exploring more ways to connect farmers and food producers with their local school districts. “School food service programs and local farms can go hand and hand, which is why the Maine Bureau of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is pleased to collaborate with DOE’s Harvest of the Month program,” according to Nancy McBrady, Director of the Bureau of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Resources. “This program allows participating schools to purchase local, nutritious foods which helps boost farm incomes while educating students about local agriculture. The program directly links School Food Service Directors with participating farmers and producers in their community and the Bureau is thrilled that the Local Produce Fund can assist School Food Service Directors in ordering even more local produce. The Bureau encourages local producers to sign up to be a Harvest of the Month source for schools today!”
Maine Sees Steep Increases in Two Tickborne Diseases
Residents and visitors advised to take precautions through November
AUGUSTA – Maine has seen significant increases in reported cases of the tickborne illnesses anaplasmosis and babesiosis in 2019. As of October 1, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded 556 cases of anaplasmosis and 124 cases of babesiosis. That is an all-time annual high for babesiosis, and Maine is on track to surpass the record high of 663 cases of anaplasmosis set in 2017.
These increases in cases of anaplasmosis and babesiosis come as Maine has recorded 684 cases of Lyme disease, the state's most common tickborne illness, since January 1, 2019. The process of confirming a Lyme disease diagnosis through lab testing takes longer than for anaplasmosis or babesiosis, and public health officials in Maine expect total Lyme cases to exceed 1,000 when annual reporting for 2019 is complete. The state recorded 1,405 cases of Lyme disease in 2018 and 1,855 in 2017.
Maine CDC urges the state's residents and visitors to continue taking precautions against tickborne diseases during the year's second peak season for tick activity, which takes place from October through November.
"This has been one of the most active tick seasons we've ever seen in Maine - and it's not over," said Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah. "The risk of tickborne illnesses remains high through November, so we urge everyone to protect themselves from tick bites."
These tickborne illnesses cannot be transmitted directly from human to human.
The best way to prevent tickborne disease is to take preventive steps to avoid tick bites. Maine CDC suggests the No Ticks 4 ME approach, which includes:
- Wearing protective clothing. Light-colored clothing makes ticks easier to see and long sleeves and pants reduce exposed skin.
- Using an EPA-approved repellent and always following the label. Clothing and gear can be treated with permethrin for longer protection.
- Using caution in tick-infested areas. Avoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass and stay in the middle of trails whenever possible.
- Performing daily tick checks. Check for ticks immediately after exiting high-risk areas. Bathe or shower (preferably within 2 hours after being outdoors) to wash off and find ticks on your body. Conduct a full-body tick check. Also examine clothing, gear, and pets.
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