Photo blogger Susan Bennett documented one of the many wonders at this time of year — sunflower fields, or as Susan describes them, “an ocean of yellow,” buzzing with important little pollinators. The field pictured above is in central Pennsylvania, but we have them in Maine too, especially in Aroostook County. There’s even a Maine Sunflower Festival at Pumpkin Valley Farm in Dayton, far south of Aroostook. So stay on alert for oceans of yellow as you travel our rural state in September. (Photo courtesy of Susan Bennett from her blog, Downeast Thunder Farm)
Happy Wednesday!
New this week:
Join Rudman Winchell attorneys on Thursday, October 27th, from 7:45 am to 12:45 pm for a free, in-person only seminar at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bangor. This event includes employment law & legislative updates; round-table discussions of hot topics; in-person networking and more. Register here.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension will offer a two-part online training for adults interested in becoming 4-H volunteers from 6–7 p.m. Oct. 19 and Oct. 26. “Start Your 4-H Volunteer Journey” will explore the ways volunteers can become involved with UMaine Extension 4-H, what the 4-H youth development program is about and requirements for becoming a volunteer. Participants will also hear from youth and volunteers currently active in Extension 4-H and do a hands-on activity together. The training is free; registration is required by Oct. 12. Register on the event webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Jennifer Lobley, 207-255-3345; jennifer.lobley@maine.edu.
USDA Rural Development Single Family Housing Programs includes loans and grants to repair and rehab a house. Download this factsheet on their 504 Repair & Rehabilitation Loan program. For more information, see the announcement in this newsletter under Favorite Resources, or contact Sean Thibeau (Sean.thibeau@me.usda.gov, 207-760-4587) and Stacey Summerson (Stacey.summerson@me.usda.gov, 207-760-4606).