Description of Common Ground Country Fair

Celebrate Rural Living in Maine With The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association

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The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) sponsors the Common Ground Country Fair each year on the third weekend after Labor Day. The event serves as the organization's major educational event and largest fundraiser. Vendors, demonstrators, entertainers and exhibitors are from Maine, and almost all of the food is organic and locally grown. MOFGA places a great deal of emphasis on educating people about available alternatives for living healthily, happily and comfortably within the many confines of the northeast bioregion. Common Ground fairgoers have become so numerous since its modest beginning in 1977 that the event relocated from the Windsor Fairgrounds in 1998 to a permanent homesite in the town of Unity.

The Fair hosts 50 to 60 thousand visitors each year. Since 1977, more than a million visitors have come through the gates. But, don't worry about fighting your way through legions of fairgoers. The Fair's activities will be spread out over 35 acres of newly tended land adorned by beautiful perennial gardens, walkways, orchards, rest and relaxation areas, and organic food booths. Whether you follow a strict macrobiotic diet or enjoy a daily regimen of meat and potatoes, there will be plenty of culinary delights for you at the Fair.

The development of MOFGA's permanent home is a dream come true for many of the organization's members. For almost seventeen years, MOFGA planned to develop a permanent site not only for the Common Ground Country Fair, but also for various workshops, conferences, demonstrations and gatherings relating to sustainable agriculture. In 1996, MOFGA took a giant step toward that goal by purchasing 200 acres of land in Unity and Thorndike. Since the grand opening of the education center in 1998, MOFGA staff and volunteers have hosted dozens of educational workshops and gatherings. As the center grows, so will the diversity and frequency of programs.

The Common Ground Country Fair's home is located on the Crosby Brook Road off of route 220 on the Unity and Thorndike town line. The farm belonged to the Maxim family who primarily grew corn and potatoes. The site is being used year-round to promote organic agriculture and sustainable living in Maine. MOFGA plans to continue farming some of the land for educational programs. The site has an impressive timber-frame exhibition hall, livestock barns, an amphitheater for entertainment, and its very own station on the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad.

MOFGA has received many generous donations from members, Common Ground Country Fair vendors, Maine businesses and several foundations. Some notable in-kind donations include an heirloom apple orchard which will showcase many of Maine's oldest apple varieties, demonstration herb and perennial gardens, a gazebo and ticket buildings. The success and continued growth of the Fair is attributable to MOFGA's remarkable volunteer community.

The Fair goes on rain or shine. Gates open at 9:00 a.m. each day. On Friday and Saturday booths stay open until 6:00 p.m., and evening entertainment begins at 7 p.m. The Fair closes at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. MOFGA's new home is located on the Crosby Brook Road in the town of Unity. The Crosby Brook Road is a horseshoe road that begins and ends on Route 220.

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA)
Common Ground Country Fair
PO Box 170
Unity, ME 04988
Phone: 207-568-4142
Fax: 207-568-4141
Email: cgcf@mofga.org