MOFGA Volunteer Committees (click on a Committee below for details)

Agricultural Services     The Agricultural Services Committee provides guidance for MOFGA's Agricultural Services Programs, which include Technical Services and marketing activities. The Committee identifies technical support and marketing priorities for farmers and other MOFGA members. The Committee schedules its meetings on a rolling basis. If you would like to join this Committee, please contact our Agricultural Services Director, Dave Colson.   Buildings & Grounds     The Buildings & Grounds Committee develops long-term planning strategies for the facilities at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center and the 250+ acres that go along with it. The Committee develops and oversees a budget for maintenance and new projects, and meets regularly to help the administrative staff prioritize projects. Buildings & Grounds works closely with related subcommittees, namely Landscaping, Farm and to some extent, Orchard and Low Impact Forestry. There are many opportunities to help with maintenance of buildings and grounds on a year-round basis. Many of our large-scale utilities are managed totally by volunteers so we are especially appreciative of those who have training in electrical systems, plumbing, carpentry, and farm equipment repair. Our long-range plans entail construction of new buildings so architectural and construction talents are also welcome.   Certification Services     If you are interested in assisting MOFGA Certification Services, please contact Mary Yurlina by email at yurlina@mofga.org or by phone at 207-568-4142.   Educational Programs     MOFGA's Educational Programs Committee provides to the Association's constituencies educational opportunities in the form of publications, events and programs regarding the rationale, history, practices, philosophies, and environmental and health benefits of organic agriculture. It strives to promote the availability of practical knowledge about organic farming and gardening while making the connection between healthful, local food and sustainable community building. The Committee works independently and in coalition with other groups to offer programming that is accessible, is geographically diverse, and takes place throughout the year. The Committee also provides direction for MOFGA's Journeyperson and Apprenticeship programs, which train people to become skilled organic farmers and gardeners. The Committee appreciates help with all aspects of MOFGA's developing Educational Programs division. There are opportunities to help organize events, write and edit publications, and coordinate farmer training programs. Anyone interested in joining the Educational Programs Committee should contact Committee Chair Richard Rudolph or Educational Programs Director Andrew Marshall.   El Salvador Sistering     This committee maintains a relationship between MOFGA and two Salvadoran grassroots organizations working toward sustainable agriculture. The committee explores issues such as organic certification, free trade, marketing, etc., that affect farmers in both countries. Several delegations from Maine have visited El Salvador. Anyone interested in joining the El Salvador Sistering Committee should contact Paul & Karen Volckhausen.   Fair Planning Team     The Fair Planning Team is comprised of every person who coordinates some aspect of the Fair. Membership is open to any volunteer wishing to assume a leadership role in coordinating Fair volunteers for a specific area of the Fair. The Fair Planning Team is always looking for new members to help coordinate every area of the Fair. For just about every area of the Fair, there are small subcommittees that meet anywhere from once to several times a year. Anyone interested in joining the Fair Planning Team should contact the Fair Office.   Fair Steering     The Fair Steering Committee is responsible to the MOFGA Board for the annual presentation of the Common Ground Country Fair. The Committee provides leadership for the large corps of volunteers on the Fair Planning Team. It makes decisions on policy and issues relating to the Fair, and plans for the future of the Fair making proposals to the MOFGA Board. The Steering Committee implements the policies and goals of the Association through the Fair. It maintains current and historical records giving an overview of the operation of the Fair. Members of the Fair Steering Committee are appointed on an annual basis, although all meetings are open to interested people. Generally, folks join the Steering Committee after they have participated in the Fair Planning Team for a few years. For more information about the Steering Committee, contact the Fair Office.   Fundraising     The Fundraising Committee is responsible for developing and pursuing a long-term fund raising campaign for the Association. The Committee can always use help organizing fundraising events. Many organizations throughout the state invite MOFGA to have exhibits at various local events. These are perfect volunteer opportunities as they help the organization spread information about its programs while creating important relationships with communities and other organizations. There are lots of opportunities to help with mailings to members, and to help sell MOFGA and Common Ground Country Fair merchandise. Anyone interested in joining MOFGA's Fundraising Committee should contact Chris Hamilton.   Landscaping     The Landscaping Committee creates a vision for MOFGA's Living Collections around the Common Ground Education Center. It also provides guidance to our Landscaping Staff. Volunteer landscapers help maintain perennial and herb gardens on MOFGA's property. During the growing season, gardeners are always welcome and needed to help manage the many beautiful gardens around our property. In the late fall, we also need help putting the gardens to rest for the winter. Anyone interested in joining MOFGA's Landscaping Committee should contact Joe Dupere, our Landscape Coordinator.   Low-Impact Forestry     The Low Impact Forestry Committee oversees MOFGA's woodlands for the purposes of sustainable harvesting, instruction about safe and appropriate woodsworking skills, and demonstration of proper forest management practices. These activities take place primarily during the Common Ground Country Fair in September and the Low Impact Forestry Workshop in November. MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center is a comfortable venue for the November workshops where foresters of all different backgrounds can come together and share experiences and passion for working in the woods. There are lots of opportunities for volunteers to help with logistics of forestry programs being offered at the Common Ground Country Fair. The Committee also needs volunteers to help coordinate the Low Impact Forestry Workshops in November. The Committee will make arrangements for volunteers to work either in the kitchen or the woodlot in lieu of a workshop registration fee. Anyone interested in joining the Low-Impact Forestry Committee should contact Low Impact Forestry Coordinator Andy McEvoy.   Orchard     Through workshops and demonstration orchards, this committee teaches organic orcharding to the MOFGA membership and the public at large. The Committee needs help with maintaining the demonstration orchards at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center. Volunteers may also assist with organizing workshops. Anyone interested in joining MOFGA's Orchard Committee should contact MOFGA's Orchardist C.J. Walke.   Public Policy     The Public Policy Committee reviews existing and pending federal and state legislation relevant to organic gardening and farming, sustainable agriculture, natural resource protection, and food safety, and, makes the results of this review known to the Board of Directors. The Committee may introduce and support legislation, subject to authorization by the Board of Directors. It occasionally drafts and disseminates action alerts to MOFGA's membership when controversial legislation is being considered in the State House or in Washington, DC. Politically active volunteers may have an interest in joining this committee and taking part in legislative initiatives. The Committee often needs help writing op/eds and letters to editors, and drafting and circulating action alerts relating to specific pieces of legislation or committee hearings. It also can use help organizing the Public Policy Teach-in at the Common Ground Country Fair. Anyone interested in joining the Public Policy Committee should contact Chris Hamilton.