Category: Blog

After months and months of careful research I was on a mission—to track down some of the oldest apple trees on Great Cranberry and capture their essence.

Kendra Chubbuck of Shore Shop Gifts on Isle au Haut is an entrepreneur who knows the value that conserved lands can bring to local businesses. On the doorstep of a beautiful section of Acadia National Park, her store focuses on providing high-quality, Maine-made products to the varied tourists that come through the island. The following interview gives insight into her winning strategy.

The Island Institute, in partnership with the Chebeague Community Forum, is pleased to announce that two great Maine companies, Lobster Unlimited and Herbal Revolution, will be receiving $3000 each as part of their participation in the preliminary round of the Greenlight Maine competition.

Which species of shellfish will grow in the waters near me?
What do I need to be concerned about if I want to grow mussels?
How should I be thinking about my business if I am going to start growing oysters?
What does aquaculture gear look like?
Where do I go for more information or resources about starting an aquaculture business in Maine?

Slow, unreliable broadband is a problem for all of Maine’s unbridged islands. Since the launch of the Island Institute broadband connectivity project a year ago, I’ve learned that while the 15 islands face many of the same challenges, they each bring their unique approach to solving these problems. Their progress bringing faster internet to their communities has been astoundingly thoughtful and quick.

Joanne’s Angels had been plagued with a never ending slew of mishaps which forced Zach Lunt to pull his boat out for almost three months. Those three months without a boat in the water meant no income for him and his stern man while having to wrestle with a heap of unplanned expenses. This is a part of being a captain of a lobster boat that many don’t think about; I certainly didn’t until I saw the process unfold in front of me.

On Swan’s Island, Brian and Kathy Krafjack got the right financing to expand their island store and begin grocery delivery to Frenchboro.

The lobster: one of the most iconic creatures in Maine. Mainers and tourists alike enjoy this tasty crustacean, but many are unaware of the changing conditions and pressures that face lobstermen out on the water every day. With new ocean development, increased shipping and recreational traffic, and changing ecosystems, there are many things lobstermen have to consider nowadays.