Blueberries Blueberry plants are plentiful in Maine because their hardy nature allows them to withstand the harsh weather and rough soil that are common in the rural parts of this state. With over 98% of the nation's low bush blueberries harvested in Maine this fruit has become one of Maine's larger exports. Blueberries are commonly used in jams, jellies, pies and fruit salads. For more information about Maine blueberries, check out http://www.wildblueberries.com
Maine Lobsters This tough looking shellfish thrives in the cold waters off the coast of Maine. People from all over the world savor the taste of fresh Maine lobsters, making this crustacean a vital part of Maine's economy. Over 90% of the nation's lobsters are caught all along the Maine coast. For more information about Maine lobsters, check out https://www.maine.gov/dmr/science-research/species/lobster/index.html
Potatoes Maine ranks as one of the top three potato producing states in the country. These hardy vegetables are predominantly grown in the Northern Maine county of Aroostook. For more information about Maine potatoes, check out http://www.mainepotatoes.com
Maple Syrup Maine maple syrup is usually harvested during the cold winter months from the thousands of maple trees which dot the Maine countryside. Over 11% of the nation's maple syrup comes from the state of Maine. For more information about Maine maple syrup, check out http://www.mainemapleproducers.com/
Pulp, Paper and Wood Products Almost 89% of Maine is forested, making it a prime location for the production of wood and paper products. Maine is currently the home of many of the largest paper producing mills in the country. Many forms of Maine paper products are used in schools and offices throughout the country. For more information on the paper making process in Maine, check out http://www.umche.maine.edu/pilot/Services.htm
Apples Every fall, orchards all over the state are bustling with activity as apples become ripe for picking. Many different varieties of apples are grown in the state of Maine, including Macintosh and Yellow delicious. In 1997, approximately 1,524,000 bushels of apples were harvested in Maine. For more information about apple production in Maine, check out https://maineapples.org/orchards/
Tourmaline This gemstone has the distinction of being the official mineral of Maine. Tourmaline stones can be found in a variety of colors ranging from black to light pink and are often fashioned into beautiful jewelry. In the late 1800's, Maine became established as one of the best places in North America for tourmaline mining. For more information about tourmaline, check out http://minerals.er.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/gemstones/sp14-95/tourmaline.html