Susan Hunter is a farmer who lives in Unity, Maine. She and her husband were longtime dairy farmers, and after her husband passed away Sue turned to hay farming. A few years ago, testing of her soil - which she talks about in this conversation - revealed that her land was heavily contaminated with PFAS - human made organofluorine chemical compounds that are known as forever-chemicals. Sue decided to partner with researchers from UMaine and then other organizations, to find out ways that PFAS contamination can be addressed. That research is ongoing today.

Sue was part of the 2025 Maine Science Festival, on a session we held about PFAS research.

This conversation was recorded in June 2025.

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The Maine Science Podcast is a production of the Maine Discovery Museum. It is recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. The Maine Science Podcast is hosted and executive produced by Kate Dickerson; edited and produced by Scott Loiselle.

The Discover Maine theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker.

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