Calendar

November 2009

6, 7 & 8 - MOFGA's Farmer-to-Farmer Conference. At Point Lookout in Northport, ME this year. MOFGA’s annual conference where farmers learn what works and what doesn’t, and get new ideas from university faculty, fellow farmers and others. Details.
7 - Vermont Environmental Action Conference. Saturday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Vermont Technical College, Randolph, Vermont. Speakers, workshops, networking with activists and community leaders from across Vermont and New England to mobilize the grassroots to create healthy communities. Keynote address by Jonathan Isham. Hosted by New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Toxics Action Center, Vermont League of Conservation Voters, Vermont Natural Resources Council, VPIRG, and Vermont Technical College. Information at: www.toxicsaction.org/
7 & 14 - Two-day Workshop on Butchering Beef. Sponsored by Stone Soup Institute. Killing, cleaning, skinning, cutting and packaging an 11-month steer. Intended to teach people to do on-farm butchering for their own consumption. Day 1: Killing, cleaning and skinning, 10 am to 4 pm. 71 George Luce Rd., Waldoboro. Day 2: Cutting and packaging. Location: Avalon Rd., Lyman, Maine. Cost for the 2-day workshop is $70. Limited to 10 participants. For more information, call the Institute at 207-833-2884 or contact Jim Cornish at jcornish@suscom-maine.net or visit the Stone Soup Institute Workshops web page.
7 through 21 - The Crow/USW Eco-Aromatic Activism Tour 2009: Aromatic & Medicinal Plant Wisdom for Our Health, Ecology & Economies. A Cultural Immersion into the Herbal Lore and Traditions of Rajasthan, India Looking for More Spiritual, Sensual and Sustainable Health Care Solutions for the Modern World. Udaipur Shakti Works and David Crow invite you to Udaipur, Rajasthan for an interactive exploration of the past, powers and future promise of the aromatic herbal world. Details.
12 - Meeting of the Executive Committee of MOFGA's Board of Directors. 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
12 - Fair Steering Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
13 & 14 - Juice Conference 2.0, “Building Maine’s Innovation Networks.” Will gather entrepreneurs, artists and statewide leaders to discuss the power of creativity and innovation in transforming Maine’s economy. Friday & Saturday, Camden Opera House, Camden Maine. Registration fee provides admission to all events and sessions on Friday and Saturday, including admission to the Friday night party, light breakfast, break refreshments, and a lunch voucher each day. Registration Pricing: $175 for pre-registration before October 15th; $225 for Registration after October 15th. For group rate and volunteer rate contact info@juiceconference.org. More information at: http://juiceconference.org/conference_details
18 - MOFGA Certification Services, LLC Board Meeting. 2 - 5 p.m. in the MOFGA library.
19 - Thanksgiving Potluck at The Morris Farm, 156 Gardiner Rd. (Rt. 27), Wiscasset. 6 pm. Join us for this wonderful community supper – bring a dish to share. Free! Information about The Morris Farm and event details at www.morrisfarm.org or call 882-4080.
20 & 21 - Low Impact Forestry and Chainsaw Safety Workshops. For beginning and experienced. Sustainable woodlot management, chainsaw safety, logging with animals and low-impact machinery. Details TBA: www.mofga.org.

December 2009

3 & 4 - Young Farmers Conference: Reviving the Culture of Agriculture. Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, Pocantico Hills, New York. Conference designed to help remove obstacles faced by young farmers, such as access to land and capital, working with various distribution channels (markets, cooperatives, institutions), lack of general agricultural skill sets, and more. Network with peers and learn from agricultural luminaries, peers, and advocacy organizations through workshops, keynotes, and panel discussions. Information at: www.stonebarnscenter.org/sb_calendar/eventdetail.aspx?EventID=2663
4 - Deadline for nominations, Natural Resources Defense Council Growing Green Awards for outstanding individual food producer, business leader, thought leader and water steward. A $10,000 cash prize will be awarded to the winning food producer. www.nrdc.org/health/growinggreen.asp
6 - MOFGA Board of Directors Meeting. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
8 - Postmark deadline for Northeast SARE farmer grant applications. www.nesare.org
10 - Fair Steering Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
12 - Christmas Fair at The Morris Farm, 156 Gardiner Rd. (Rt. 27), Wiscasset. 9 am to 1 pm. Hand-made gifts, wreaths and bake sale. Information about The Morris Farm and event details at www.morrisfarm.org or call 882-4080.
13 - How and Why to Keep Bees in Top Bar Beehives. Introductory workshop presented by Gold Star Honeybees. Portland. Contact christy@goldstarhoneybees.com or 207-449-1121.
15 to 17 - New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference, Manchester, N.H. www.newenglandvfc.org
16 – Kitchen Licensing Workshop. Cheryl Wixson, Common Ground Education Center, Unity. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. Coffee served. Program starts at 9:30 a.m. Registration fee (including lunch): $35 for MOFGA members and $40 for non-members. www.mofga.org

January 2010

5 - Soil Testing Tools and Their Use. Digging Deep: An Advanced Soils Course for Vegetable Growers. Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT. Three All-day Sessions (Jan. 5, 19; Feb. 9). Sessions will focus on tools and practices available to help farmers solve soil and soil fertility problems on their farms. Farmers will develop a soil fertility management plan that addresses nutrient needs, compaction, rotations and tillage. Contact NOFA Vermont at 802-434-4122 or info@nofavt.org to be added to our mailing list. Watch the website for more information: www.nofavt.org/annual-events/digging-deep
Jan. 12, 1:30 p.m. - MOFGA annual membership meeting at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Augusta Civic Center. Hear reports from MOFGA board members, staff and committees; vote on a slate of board members. Q&A period. This is also MOFGA Day at the Trades Show - a full day of presentations and workshops focusing on organic production in Maine.
12 to 14 - Maine Agricultural Trades Show, Augusta Civic Center. www.getrealmaine.com/visit/trades_show.html
13, 14, 15, 19, 20 (snow date Jan. 21) - NOFA Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care. Parker River Wildlife Refuge, 6 Plum Island Tpke., Newburyport, MA. 30-hour course for professionals will provide the education needed for an understanding of organic land care design and maintenance. $550 Course. Early bird discount: -$30 for registrations received by Dec. 18 in MA & CT. NOFA Membership Discounts: -$15. Course fee includes a delicious, catered lunch daily. $150 Exam & Accreditation (optional). Register by calling 203-888-5146 Details here.
16 - 2009 NOFA/Massachusetts Organic Farming Winter Conference. Worcester Technical High School in Worcester, Mass. Saturday. Joel Salatin to present keynote and all day seminar. For more information, visit www.nofamass.org/conferences/w2009/index.php or contact Winter Conference Coordinator, Jassy Bratko, jassy.bratko@nofamass.org 978-928-5646
19 - Using Soil Fertility Practices to Solve Problems on Your Farm. Digging Deep: An Advanced Soils Course for Vegetable Growers. Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT. Three All-day Sessions (Jan. 5, 19; Feb. 9). Sessions will focus on tools and practices available to help farmers solve soil and soil fertility problems on their farms. Farmers will develop a soil fertility management plan that addresses nutrient needs, compaction, rotations and tillage. Contact NOFA Vermont at 802-434-4122 or info@nofavt.org to be added to our mailing list. Watch the website for more information: www.nofavt.org/annual-events/digging-deep
21, 22, 25, 26, 27 - NOFA Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care. Jones Auditorum, CAES, 123 Huntington St., New Haven, CT. 30-hour course for professionals will provide the education needed for an understanding of organic land care design and maintenance. $550 Course. Early bird discount: -$30 for registrations received by Dec. 18 in MA & CT. NOFA Membership Discounts: -$15. Course fee includes a delicious, catered lunch daily. $150 Exam & Accreditation (optional). Register by calling 203-888-5146. Details here.
22 & 23 - 14th Annual VT Grazing & Livestock Conference. Friday & Saturday. Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, Vermont. Keynote speaker Brian Moyer of Rural Vermont. Preconference workshops on business planning, winter animal management, weed control with Kathy Voth. Over 30 workshops on sustainable livestock production: pasture-based research, grazing season extension, soil fertility & productivity, local beef marketing, high quality hay production, transitioning dairy farms to rotational grazing, small ruminant parasite management, swine, poultry and more. Information at: www.uvm.edu/pasture
22, 23 & 24 - Circles of Caring. NOFA-NY Annual Organic Farming and Gardening Conference, Saratoga Hilton Hotel & Conference Center, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. More than 80 workshops, 3 keynote speeches, organic trade show, entertainment and local organic meals. Write: conference@nofany.org or visit: www.events.org/nofany-conference/cpage.aspx?e=21411

February 2010

(TBA) – Cooking and Preparing Fresh Fish, Cheryl Wixson of MOFGA, and Port Clyde Fresh Catch. Common Ground Education Center, Unity.
7 - Windsor Historical Society sleigh rides at the Windsor fairgrounds; Farmers' Draft Horse, Mule and Pony Club. www.farmersdraftclub.org/
9 - Putting a System Together on Your Farm. Digging Deep: An Advanced Soils Course for Vegetable Growers. Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT. Three All-day Sessions (Jan. 5, 19; Feb. 9). Sessions will focus on tools and practices available to help farmers solve soil and soil fertility problems on their farms. Farmers will develop a soil fertility management plan that addresses nutrient needs, compaction, rotations and tillage. Contact NOFA Vermont at 802-434-4122 or info@nofavt.org to be added to our mailing list. Watch the website for more information: www.nofavt.org/annual-events/digging-deep
10, 11, 12, 15, 16 - NOFA Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care. Antun’s, 35 Valley Ave., Elmsford, NY (Westchester County). 30-hour course for professionals will provide the education needed for an understanding of organic land care design and maintenance. $550 Course. Early bird discount: -$30 for registrations received by Jan. 29 in NY & RI. NOFA Membership Discounts: -$15. Course fee includes a delicious, catered lunch daily. $150 Exam & Accreditation (optional). Register by calling 203-888-5146. Details here.
14 - World's Greatest Sleigh Rides, Lisbon Falls; Farmers' Draft Horse, Mule and Pony Club. www.farmersdraftclub.org/
22, 23, 24, 25, 26 - NOFA Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care. Save the Bay Center, 100 Save the Bay Drive, Providence, RI. 30-hour course for professionals will provide the education needed for an understanding of organic land care design and maintenance. $550 Course. Early bird discount: -$30 for registrations received by Jan. 29 in NY & RI. NOFA Membership Discounts: -$15. Course fee includes a delicious, catered lunch daily. $150 Exam & Accreditation (optional). Register by calling 203-888-5146. Details here.

March 2010

8 to 9 - Farm Business Course, MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center. www.mofga.org
13 - Spring Growth Conference, MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center, Unity. www.mofga.org
20 - MOFGA Organic Orcharding Workshops: Pruning Fruit Trees and Early Spring Orchard Care. Snow date March 21. Locations TBA. www.mofga.org
20 - Beginner's Level Sheep Shearing School. Saturday, at Sun Rise Acres in Cumberland (Cumberland County). Sponsored by the Maine Sheep Breeders Association and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. $30.00 per person. Fee includes personal instruction, hands-on learning, lunch and a reference note book on sheep shearing. Enrollment limited to 22 participants. For more information, contact Extension Educator, Richard Brzozowski, rbrz@umext.maine.edu; 207-780-4205.
20 & 21 - New Hampshire Old House & Barn Expo. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Radisson Hotel, 700 Elm Street, Manchester, NH. One-stop-shopping trade show helps old house and barn owners and enthusiasts with appropriate and affordable solutions. Meet knowledgeable suppliers of repair and restoration products and services; gather valuable ideas from hourly live talks and demonstrations. Energy savings, window repair, weatherization techniques featured. Presented by New Hampshire Preservation Alliance. $10 adults; $5 seniors and children. Contact: 603-224-2281 or www.nhpreservation.org
27 - Seed Swap and Scion Exchange. www.mofga.org

April

1 - Grow Your Own Organic Garden workshops. www.mofga.org
10 - Beginner's Level Sheep Shearing School. Saturday, at Arledge Farm in Littleton (Aroostook County). Sponsored by the Maine Sheep Breeders Association and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. $30.00 per person. Fee includes personal instruction, hands-on learning, lunch and a reference note book on sheep shearing. Enrollment limited to 22 participants. For more information, contact Extension Educator, Richard Brzozowski, rbrz@umext.maine.edu; 207-780-4205.
24 - MOFGA Organic Orcharding Workshop: Grafting Fruit Trees with Tim Seabrook and Delton Curtis, Unity. Demonstrations of Whip & Tongue and T-Budding (indoors) as well as outdoor grafting (top working) of established trees. 10 am to 3 pm. Bring bag lunch. www.mofga.org

May

8 - MOFGA Organic Orcharding 101 with Michael Phillips, author of The Apple Grower. Unity. $35 for members, $40 for non-members. Comprehensive exploration of organic disease and insect strategies, including lectures, discussions, question and answer periods inside and out. 10 am to 3 pm. Bring bag lunch. www.mofga.org
31 - Postmark deadline for Northeast SARE graduate student grant application. www.nesare.org

July

31 - MOFGA Organic Orcharding Workshop: Bud Grafting. Led by Delton Curtis at Curtis Pond Nursery, Thorndike. "Budding" uses individual buds from this year’s new growth to graft onto rootstock already set in the nursery. All major tree fruit species will be covered. 10 am to 1 pm. MOFGA will supply buds and rootstock. Participants should bring their own knives. Knives will also be available for purchase at the workshop. www.mofga.org

October

23 - The Great Maine Apple Day. www.mofga.org