Sunday, March 24, 2013
A special all-day event this year!
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Doors open at 8:30)
MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center, Unity
There is no admission charge though donations are welcome and benefit our Heritage Orchard.
Ongoing Activities
Seed Swap
Scion Exchange
Learn about GMO- Right to Know Campaign
Learn about MOFGA’s Heritage Orchard
Random Acts of Grafting
Food Vendors *8-1pm
2013 Presentations
Schedule subject to change.
All presentations are one hour unless noted otherwise.
9:00 (Library) Introduction to Perennial Crops Join producers Lisa Fernandes, Aaron Parker, Greg Martin, Max Boudreau and Jack Kertesz for a discussion about perennial crops.
9:00 Hands-on Tour of the Orchards (Meet at Main Entrance)
CJ Walke, MOFGA's Organic Orchardist will lead a walk around the orchards to discuss management, variety selection and pest control.
10:00 (Commons) Seed Saving Talk: Cucurbits
Heron Breen will focus on building intermediate seed saving skill sets.
10:00 (Library) Orchard Management & Spray Schedule
Join us for a discussion of orchard management with a focus on spray schedules. We’ll compare methods of both organic and non-organic producers. Session will be moderated by John Bunker.
11:00 (Commons) Tomatoes
Donna Dyrek will focus on building intermediate seed saving skill sets.
11:00 (Library) Orchardist Roundtable
Join us with your questions for an open-ended discussion of apple growing methods including renovating old orchards, transitioning to organic and more. Session will be moderated by Eliza Greenman.
12:00 NOON Socializing and Lunch – Food for sale in Exhibition Hall
12:00 NOON (Library) Cidermakers Panel
Come to meet and hear from some of Maine’s commercial cider makers. Session will be moderated by John Bunker.
1:00 (Commons) Beans
Sam Birch will focus on building intermediate seed saving skill sets.
1:00 (Library) Grafting Fruit Trees (Special 2 Hour Session)
Join Mark Fulford for an in-depth discussion and demonstration of grafting techniques.
2:00 (Commons) Biennial Roots
Will Bonsall will focus on building intermediate seed saving skill sets.
The Maine Tree Crop Alliance, the Maine Seed Saving Network,
Fedco and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will host the twelfth annual combined
Seed Swap and Scionwood Exchange, in MOFGA’s Common Ground Exhibition Hall in Unity. For gardeners and orchardists, it’s like the most wonderful flea market in the world. Not only that but most of the best stuff is free!
Please bring any seeds, scionwood, or cuttings you have to share freely with others. Don't have seeds to contribute? Bring some baked goods instead! The day is all about learning and sharing from your neighbors. Last year we gave away scionwood from well over 100 fruit varieties. These contributions are what make the day a success. We’ll supply the labels, tape and markers. On sale will be T-shirts, books, grafting supplies and rootstock.
Not sure how to store your scion wood?
In order to store scionwood for later grafting, the wood must remain dormant and protected from drying out. An effective way to achieve this is to store the scions triple-bagged in zip-loc bags, and keep in the back of the refrigerator. You can add a small piece of damp, not wet, paper towel in with the scions to help retain moisture. The back of the refrigerator is best because temperatures are more stable than near or on the door. Do not store in the freezer. Further Questions? Contact CJ Walke, MOFGA's Organic Orchardist by phone 207-568-4142.