Maine Calling

Eliot Coleman is a pioneer of the organic farming movement. He joins us to discuss the revised and expanded edition of his classic work. He presents the simplest and most sustainable ways of growing top-quality organic vegetables and updates practical information on marketing the harvest, small-scale equipment, and farming and gardening for the long-term health of the soil.

As another allegation surfaces and the future of Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court nomination remains up in the air, we discuss the latest news on possible Senate testimony and take your calls on the controversial nomination.

The Common Ground Fair begins today, so what better time than now to look at the fiber arts in Maine? Maine has a rich community of people who work in fiber arts — from people who spin wool and knit to those who paint silk or create cloth sculptures. We'll learn more about the wide range of creations that fiber artists make, the practical uses, and the contributions of fiber artists to Maine's economy and brand.

What is it like to be an immigrant in Maine – how are they received and perceived? We'll learn about the opportunities and challenges facing those who are new to the state, and how they become part of the greater community. We’ll also hear about a state-wide art project that addresses the theme of migration—and how it applies to our immigrant population.

How can the arts contribute to rural community development in Maine? Some of our state's smallest and most isolated towns have found that promoting arts and cultural opportunities have brought them new life. In advance of the Maine Arts Commission's conference on this subject, we explore the role of the arts in rural development.

Falls are a leading cause of injury for older people in Maine. Our panel of experts offers practical solutions for people of any age to prevent falls and to recover from them.

Sara Just was named Executive Producer of "PBS NewsHour" after more than 25 years at ABC News, where she had most recently served as ABC’s Washington Deputy Bureau Chief and Senior Washington Producer for "Good Morning America." She previously spent 17 years at Ted Koppel’s "Nightline."

Bowdoin College biology professor emeritus Nathaniel T. Wheelwright shares his latest project — a series of videos filmed almost entirely in Wheelwright's backyard that are designed not so much to entertain and astonish, but to encourage mindfulness and curiosity among viewers; to educate and empower them to make their own discoveries about nature. Joining Nat will be Patty Jones, Bowdoin assistant professor of biology and director of the Bowdoin Scientific Station on Kent Island.

Service animals don't just help those who are disabled, and they're not just dogs. We learn about different categories and species of service animals, as well as what regulations exist to stem the trend toward over-using the term 'therapy' animal.

What is the role of school counselors in Maine? With societal pressure on children growing, is there a growing demand for counselors at all grade levels?