Food Studies Commons^™

Black-Capped Chickadee (Parus Atricapillus) Food Preference, Isabelle Gilbert

Thinking Matters Symposium

All animals must make decisions on where to find, select, capture, and eat food. These factors contribute to a species’ food preference, such as making decisions on what food to eat based on calories. Optimal foraging theory predicts how an animal behaves when searching for food, including optimization of food type, patch choice, time spent in patches, and movement. All animals also make decisions based on predation risk by avoiding predators and making trade-offs on time spent searching for, pursuing, and handling food. The objective of my study is to examine food preference of black-capped chickadees (Parus atricapillus). Birds may …

Solar Farming In Maine: An Objective Overview, Carmen Demartis

Student Policy Briefs

The US Energy Information Administration predicts that there will be 28% more energy use globally by the year 2040 (1). Coupled with this, is an increase in awareness of the negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment. These two facts are among the main drivers behind the heightened interest and investment in renewable energy sources. Solar energy, with carbon emissions estimated as 43 times less than natural gas (2), is a particularly attractive source of renewable energy.

Maine has the distinction of being both one of the highest per capita consumers of fossil fuels in the nation (3), …

Solar Energy On Farmland, Eden Martin

Student Policy Briefs

The large-scale use of agriculture and land alteration has caused the concentrations of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere to rise in the last 250 years (Janke, 2010). The majority of greenhouse gas emissions is caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are a threat when it comes to the health of our planet but they are also abundant and affordable (Janke, 2010). This threat has caused many to start exploring the use of alternative energy sources that are renewable; solar technology, wind power, geothermal, and ocean energy (Janke, 2010). According to Rebecca Hernandez, “solar energy has one of …

Maine's State Policy For Solar Farms On Agricultural Land., Elliot James Lee

Student Policy Briefs

A change is coming to the Northeast, and Maine is not prepared to handle it. Across the Northeast, agricultural land is being converted to solar farms, with no policy in place to handle it. Opening Maine up to numerous problems with, permitting, regulations, taxes, best management practices, size of these farms, and lack of infrastructure to name a few. All of which need to be addressed, while dealing with the general instability of policies surrounding green energy and green technology like solar panels. This change is coming quickly, and although we need this policy soon, it cannot be rushed, or …

Solar Energy On The Farm, Kate Mccarty

Student Policy Briefs

Solar energy production accounts for less than one percent of energy produced in Maine, but nonetheless, the number of agricultural solar projects in the state is growing (ix, xi). While Maine currently lacks policies that encourage solar installations, such as tax credits and rebates, the next state administration could implement such policies, further resulting in an increase in the number of solar projects. The installation of commercial-scale solar projects is particularly attractive to farmers as it offers diversified income that protects against the unpredictable nature of farming. The Maine Legislature should consider adopting policies around the use of large-scale solar …

Solar Farms On Agricultural Land, Rebecca Pratt

Student Policy Briefs

With farmers today facing economic hardship, many are looking for alternative sources of income. A recent trend has farmers considering turning their agriculture fields into solar farms. While there is a global push for more renewal energy, using agricultural lands to accomplish this goal is being widely debated. The opposition argues that the solar farms may come with unintended consequences including economic, environmental and even social problems (Tromans and Jackson, 2015). One of the most pressing questions is who, if anyone, should regulate the development of solar farms. Currently, there is no legislation in Maine regulating the installation of solar …

Solar Farms & Agriculture – Mutually Beneficial Or Problematic?, Catherine Darragh

Student Policy Briefs

Solar Farming has become increasingly adopted by farmers to diversify their income. This has raised concerns regarding the loss of agricultural land, impact on the environment, and application of policies to land that may have shifted from an agricultural to energy production focus. The following brief examines the benefits and disadvantages of solar farming for farmers and the environment and how new policies might affect the situation.

Franklin County Community Food Resources, Emily Couture

Franklin

Food resources found in Franklin County, Maine:

• Farm stands
• CSA farms
• Farmers' markets
• SNAP office
• WIC office
• Additional resources

Somerset County Community Food Resources, Michela Desjardins

Somerset

Food resources found in Somerset County, Maine

• County statistics
• Local producers
• Local markets
• University of Maine (UMO)
• Recreation

Waldo County Community Food Resources, Liesel Krout

Waldo

Food resources found in Waldo County, Maine:

• Community supported agriculture
• Harvest Bucks accepted
• Community resources
• Food pantries

Washington County Community Food Resources, Richard Sawyer

Washington

Food resources found in Washington County, Maine:

• Facts about food insecurity
• Snap and WIC
• WIC certified stores
• Farmers' markets
• Harvest Bucks
• Food pantries
• Resources for children

Washington County Community Food Resources, Hannah Bonnie

Washington

Food resources found in Washington County, Maine:

• Farm stands
• Food pantries
• Harvest Bucks
• Farmers' markets
• Department of Health and Human Services offices

York County Community Food Resources, Christin Mcdonough

York

Food resources found in York County, Maine:

• Food pantries
• Farmers' markets
• Farm stands
• Other resources

Somerset County Community Food Resources, Jason Scott

Somerset

Food resources found in Somerset County, Maine:

• Good Shepard Food Banks partners
• Harvest Bucks/EBT Farmers' Markets
• Farm stands
• CSA farms
• Other food resources

York County Community Food Resources, Jennifer Curtis

York

Food resources found in York County, Maine:

• Local school pantries
• Farms
• Farm stands
• Good Shepard Food Bank partners
• Emergency food

Sagadahoc County Community Food Resources, Liesel Krout

Sagadahoc

Food resources found in Sagadahoc County, Maine:

• Farms - community supported agriculture
• Farm stands (Harvest Bucks)
• Farmers' market (EBT)
• Mobile market
• Food pantries

Hancock County Community Food Resources, Savannah Lowrey

Hancock

Food resources found in Hancock County, Maine:

• Farm stands
• Farmers markets
• CSA farms
• Food pantry
• Community centers

Waldo County Community Food Resources, Christin Mcdonough

Waldo

Food resources found in Waldo County, Maine:

• Food pantries
• Farm stands
• Farmers markets
• Other resources

Penobscot County Community Food Resources, Savannah Lowrey

Penobscot

Food resources found in Penobscot County, Maine:

• Farm stands
• Farmers' markets
• Food pantries
• CSA farms
• Community centers

Oxford County Community Food Resources, Laura Mills

Oxford

Food resources found in Oxford County, Maine:

• Farmers' markets
• Food co-operatives
• Cooking classes
• CSA farms
• Farm stands
• Farm stands that accept Husky Bucks
• Retail Stores

Piscataquis County Community Food Resources, Samantha Machado

Piscataquis

Food resources found in Piscataquis County, Maine:

• Local farmers' markets
• Local farmers' markets (SNAP, WIC, and/or EBT)
• Free meals through the month (churches)

Piscataquis County Community Food Resources, Tiia Kand

Piscataquis

Food resources found in Piscataquis County, Maine:

• Food banks
• Food pantries
• Food resources
• Additional resources
• Demographics

Knox County Community Food Resources, Mikayla Libby Gilbert

Knox

Food resources found in Knox County, Maine:

• Farmers' Markets (EBT and Harvest Bucks)
• Retailers (Harvest Bucks)
• DHHS office
• Meals on Wheels
• Food Pantries
• Meal Sites

Kennebec County Community Food Resources, Mikayla Libby Gilbert

Kennebec

Food resources found in Kennebec County, Maine:

• Farmers' markets (EBT)
• Retailers (Harvest Bucks)
• DHHS office
• Meals on Wheels
• Food pantries
• Meal sites