"The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination."
- John Scharr
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PO Box 170
Unity, ME 04988
Phone: 207-568-4142
Fax: 207-568-4141
Email: mofga@mofga.org
Physical Address:
294 Crosby Brook Road, Unity, ME
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Put Your Hoe Down – A Raucous Square Dance Party in Celebration of Maine Farmers
Saturday, July 26, 8 p.m., at Topsham Grange, Topsham
Vermont Dance Caller Will Mentor and Old Time Fiddle Tunes by Sassafras Stomp
This is a celebration for all the alumni of MOFGA's farm apprenticeship program, for apprentice host farms and for current and future apprentices!
All are welcome to join the fun! Sliding scale admission $5-$20, to benefit MOFGA's new farmer programs.
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Organic and Sustainable Agriculture News
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Organic dairy farms being crushed by factory operations
The Capital Times (Madison, WI) - 1/29/2010.By Mark Kastel – Family farmers who produce organic milk are petitioning for the swift adoption of new strict rule-making that would rein in the abuses of a handful of factory farms, which are violating both the spirit and letter of the federal organic law. |
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Six Meaningless Claims on Food Labels
The New York Times - 1/28/2010.By Tara Parker-Pope – Although food labels are supposed to tell us exactly what’s in the food we’re buying, marketers have created a language all their own to make foods sound more healthful than they really are. Today’s “Consumer Ally” column on AOL’s WalletPop site explores misleading food-label lingo, noting that some commonly used phrases have “almost no meaning.” |
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And the winner of the USDA food safety sweepstakes is …
Grist - 1/26/2010.By Tom Laskawy – Dr. Elizabeth Hagen! No, you’re not expected to know who she is. Suffice it to say that, as anticipated, USDA Chief Tom Vilsack turned to an under-the-radar choice for Under Secretary of Food Safety. Hagen, currently the USDA’s Chief Medical Officer, will, if confirmed, take charge of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), which is responsible for the safety of meat and poultry products. The interesting aspect of this pick is that she is an infectious disease doc and public health specialist who has been working at USDA for several years – and thus should have a good grounding in food safety methods. |
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Organic or conventional, farmers are working in unison
Kennebec Journal - 1/26/2010.Op-Ed by Jon Olson, Maine Farm Bureau – Maine agriculture is on a roll. While the number of farms in the United States is declining, the number of Maine farms is growing. The last U.S. Department of Agriculture census counted 8,136 Maine farms in 2007. That's a gain of over 2,000 farms in the last 10 years. Farmers markets are increasingly popular and more and more people are signing up to buy directly from farmers through CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture). |
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Check out MOFGA's
online community!
Create your own profile website
List products and services that you offer
Post classified ads
Join forum discussions |
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Market Truck by campo di fiori: "1993 Chevy 930 white step van, #6000 registered weight, dual tires in rear, rebuilt engine at 175,000 miles, many new repairs..." |
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certified organic straw by Benedicta Grain Co.: "30 4 x 4 net wrapped round bales of certified organic winter rye straw. Delivery available or you pick up. Call/Email Jake ..." |
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Antique Hay Rake - *FREE* by Ken Fengler Landscaping: "This is a beautiful antique hay rake, and it is free for the taking! Will deliver within 30 minutes of Scarborough, Maine. Em..." |
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July 24-25 - Maine Grain Alliance Kneading Conference
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Thursday, 8 a.m., to Friday 5 p.m. Details. Two-day conference fee is $300 (includes delicious meals). Many participants arrive on Wednesday, July 23 and stay to attend the free Artisan Bread Fair on Saturday, July 26. Registration.
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July 26 - Maine Artisan Bread Fair
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Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Skowhegan State Fairgrounds. Free! Over 60 vendors. Parking $2. Details.
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July 27 - Farms & Gardens to Visit
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Balfour Farm, Pittsfield; Khadighar, Industry; General Farm Tour; Harvest Moon Produce, W. Paris. Details. |
July 26 - Put Your Hoe Down - A Raucous Square Dance Party in Celebration of Maine Farmers |
Saturday, 8 p.m., at Topsham Grange, Topsham. Vermont Dance Caller Will Mentor and Old Time Fiddle Tunes by Sassafras Stomp. This is a celebration for all the alumni of MOFGA's farm apprenticeship program, for apprentice host farms and for current and future apprentices! All are welcome to join the fun! Sliding scale admission $5-$20, to benefit MOFGA's new farmer programs. |
July 29 - Farm Training Project workshop: Avena Botanicals
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Tuesday, 5 p.m., Avena Botanicals, Rockport. Training workshops schedule. |
July 30 - Waldo Organic Growers potluck and program
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Wednesday, 6 p.m., at the Unity Barn Raisers Community Center, 32 School Street (Route 139), Unity. Sara Trunzo, the Veggies For All director and Farm Viability Project manager for Maine Farmland Trust, will speak. Bring your own dinner service (no kitchen facilities or supplies are available at the site), a dish to share, your own beverages and maybe a friend or two who might be interested in learning about this community project and WOG – a MOFGA chapter. |
August 1 - MOFGA’s Common Ground radio show
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Friday, 10 to 11 a.m., WERU, 89.9 and 99.9 FM and weru.org
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August 3 - Scatterseed Project Tour
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2 p.m., rain or shine. Khadighar, Industry, Maine.
Details. |
August 4 - MOFGA Volunteer Workday: Putting Food By
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Join us in MOFGA's kitchen on Monday, August 4th from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. MOFGA's own Cheryl Wixson will teach us the art of canning as we work to preserve the harvest. There will be lunch and T-shirts for all our volunteers. Please contact Anna Libby at alibby@mofga.org or 568-4142 with any questions or to RSVP.
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August 9 - MOFGA's Organic Orcharding Workshop: Bud Grafting with Seth Yentes
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Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., North Branch Farm, Monroe. Details. |
August 13 - Conservation Farm Tour, Aroostook County
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Wednesday, 4 p.m., Good Dirt Garlic, 518 Fletcher Rd., Monticello, Maine. Learn about the diverse benefits of cover cropping sequences during this informal farm tour and discussion. The tour is free, but please RSVP to Katy Green at MOFGA if you plan to attend: kgreen@mofga.org or 568-4142.
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August 14 - The Art of Giving Gala to Benefit MOFGA
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Thursday, 5:30-9:00 p.m., Portland Company Complex. In honor of its 60th anniversary, Down East magazine is partnering with six Maine artists to raise money for Maine organizations. Artist William Wegman is joining Down East's Art of Giving Gala to help raise money for his organization of choice: MOFGA! More about William Wegman and his work. Meet the artists, win art, and enjoy Maine foods and music! More information. |
September 6 - Seed Saving Workshop with Will Bonsall
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Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Deer Isle Hostel, Deer Isle, Maine. $40 (lunch included). Early registration recommended. Sponsored by MOFGA. Details. |
September 6 - Seed Saving 101 & The Scattered Seed Project |
Saturday, 4 p.m., Blue Hill Library (Howard Room), Blue Hill. Free. Presented by Deer Isle Hostel; co-sponsored by the Blue Hill Public Library and MOFGA. Information.
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September - 19, 20 and 21 - MOFGA’s Common Ground Country Fair
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Friday, Saturday, Sunday, MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center, Unity, Maine.
Details. |
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See the full calendar ... |
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