March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Cranberry confusion

I have had it with people who want to speak about the cranberry industry with very little knowledge about the facts they speak of. William Butler wrote a guest column on March 26 and spoke on a subject that he only knows about through attending forums and that is just about it….

Too many people in the counties of Hancock, Washington, and other counties that make up the bulk of the northern and central parts of this state are earning minimum wage and are on some form of either state or federal aid. It would make sense to take a small farm and put it into cranberries instead of selling it for development.

This industry appears to have an image problem in Maine. No one can put chemicals on that have not already been approved by the State of Maine. Very complex information has to be recorded for the Environmental Protection Agency. If you sell to Ocean Spray, you have to prove any and all chemicals used and nothing can be used for a period of time prior to taking your berries in for processing.

Since spring and summer are almost upon us, watch how some of the other agriculuture industries apply chemicals. Ask yourself what happens to all of these chemicals when the rains come. As we get close to harvest, watch what is applied and when and how. With the passing of L.D. 97 you will find that it is not a free-for-all on our wetlands, but there are restrictions that this industry has put into place that will make the cranberry industry use good management skills.

I would like to point out that this industry buys equipment, gas, supports building material companies, pays taxes that help the state, gives water protection in areas that have no or limited water supplies available. Eventually this industry will have fairs, it will increase tourism in these counties, etc. It would behoove people to learn all they can about something before they assume the role of spokesperson. Conrad L. Carpenter Calais


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