CGCF Farmers' Market Area

• 2005 Participants Letter
• Farmers' Market Area Guidelines
• 2005 Farmers' Market Area Application (PDF format, 91Kb)

Meet farmers Aaron Bell and Carly Delsignore (pictured here with Hailey, Paige and Yoda) from Tide Mill Farm. Enjoy their display that highlights their historic farm and its offerings of MOFGA-certified organic meats and vegetables.

With oil prices rising, it's good to know that our food can be grown close to home. Stock up for a meal, a month or a winter. We offer cheeses, frozen meats, milk, cider, apples, pies, honey, preserves, plants, fruits, flowers, herbs, vegetables and much more. Don't forget to buy garlic to plant in your own garden this fall! Our farmers will be glad to hold your purchases while you enjoy the Fair. Bring a cooler, a basket, a cart...and take home the taste of Maine.

Farmers at the 2005 Fair Market

Key: Farm Name/Farmer(s)/Town/Days In Market/Products

Bluebird Hill Farm/Rosey Guest/Jefferson/Sun/watermelons, leeks, tomatoes, peppers, onions, potatoes, shallots, pumpkins, winter squash, Sweet Annie, amaranths, fresh & dried flowers, tomatillos, maple cream, maple syrup, salsas, jams, pickles, dried tomatoes, potted herbs, grapes

Brae Maple Farm/Andrea Smith/Union/Fri, Sat, Sun/tomatoes, basil, cukes, peppers, onions, winter squash, pumpkins, gourds, dried flowers and herb plants, catnip toys, sheep fleece Christmas ornaments, custom spun yarn

Brighton Farm/Robert & Arleen Lovelace/Athens/Fri, Sat, Sun/"Salsa Bolsa," maple syrup, carrots, apples, plums, onion braids, herbs, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, squash

Broken Acres Farm/Teresa Johnston/Jefferson/Fri, Sat, Sun/veggies

Checkerberry Farm/Jason Kafka/Parkman/Fri, Sat, Sun/mixed veggies, potted peppers, Sweet Annie, flowers, garlic

Crooked Row Farm/Mike Gold & Kelly Martin/Benton/Fri, Sat, Sun/potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, squash, tomatoes, peppers, herbs

Curra Family Farm/Pete Curra/Knox/Fri, Sat, Sun/leeks, shallots, onions, Indian corn, pumpkins, winter squash

Darthia Farm/William Thayer/Gouldsboro/Fri, Sat, Sun/mixed veggies, garlic braids, herbal vinegars, jams, jellies, chutneys, salsa, herbal salve, sauerkraut

Fire Flower Garden & Pottery/Barbara Walch/Thorndike/Fri, Sat, Sun/dried flowers, bouquets, wreaths, arrangements, potpourri, grapes, pumpkins, gourds, fresh & dried herbs, chili peppers, winter squash, broom corn, fresh flowers, tomatoes, plums, crabapples, basket willow products

Fire Fly Farm/Billi Barker/St. Albans/Fri, Sat, Sun/Sweet Annie, Sweet Annie crowns with dried flowers, Sweet Annie armbands, peas, onions, garlic, pumpkins, winter squash, hot peppers, sweet peppers, potatoes, turnips, beets, tomatoes, green beans, swiss chard, kale, mixed greens, celery, eggplant, carrots, sunflowers

Fishbowl Farm/Christopher Cavendish/Unity/Fri,Sat, Sun/tomatoes, potatoes, garlic, onions, winter squash, cucumbers, dried flowers, flowers, beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, spinach, lettuce, mesclun mix, pumpkins, melons, peppers, scallions, cauliflower, eggplant

Fisher Farm/Joe & Rose Fisher/Winterport/Fri, Sat, Sun/mixed veggies, cut flowers, catsup, hot sauce, dried tomatoes, dried flowers

Herbal Designs/Deborah Voigt/Whitefield/Sat, Sun/ornamental corn, wheat, millet, oats, broom corn, sorghum, dry flower bunches, fresh flower bouquets, Sweet Annie crowns, dried and fresh herb bunches, gourds, potted ornamental kale & cabbage, dried flower & grain wreaths and arrangements, whole dill pickles, pesto

Hoof 'n Paw Farm/Bob Basile & Karla Bock/New Sharon/Fri, Sat, Sun/dry beans, garlic, hot pepper plants, herb plants, onions, potatoes, gourds, 'Jack Be Little' pumpkins, mixed vegetables, hot pepper strings, dried flowers, Sweet Annie, pumpkins, fleece, roving, spun yarn

Mooarhill Farm & Greenhouses/John & Michele Pino/Mt. Vernon/Fri, Sat, Sun/seedlings, garlic, mixed veggies, Sweet Annie, cut flowers

NorthWoods Naturals/Sarah & Joseph Baker/Bingham/Fri, Sun/garlic, onions, broccoli, kale, carrots, celery, chard, beets, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, summer squash, winter squash, green beans, pumpkins, cucumbers, fresh herbs, dried herbs, dried flowers

Peacemeal Farm/Mark Guzzi/Dixmont/Fri,Sat,Sun/greens, beans, herbs, carrots, onions, beets, potatoes, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, garlic

Ricker Hill Orchards/Peter Ricker/Turner/Fri, Sat, Sun/apples, pears, peaches, small fruits, cider, organic apple pies, organic apple sauce & butter, winter squash, summer vegetables

Sparky's Apiaries/David Smith/Peaks Island/Fri, Sat, Sun/honey, comb honey, creamed honey, candles, beeswax, pollen, propolis

Stoneset Farm/Clara Poland & Nathan Rutenbeck/Brooklin/Fri, Sat, Sun/blueberries, jam, potatoes, onions, garlic braids, onion braids, eggplant, winter squash, beets, carrots, dried flowers, yarn, sheep skins

The Apple Farm/Steven Meyerhans/Fairfield/Fri, Sat, Sun/apples, apple cider

The Little Garlic Girl Farm/Anthony Swebilius/Morrill/Fri, Sat, Sun/culinary and seed garlic, garlic braids & wreaths, shallots, onions, leeks, tomatoes, squash, dried flowers

The Painted Pepper Farm/Jordan Godino/Steuben/Fri, Sat, Sun/maple syrup, maple cream, maple candy, maple pecan pralines, garlic braids, garlic elixir, blueberry jam, blueberry-rhubarb jam, blueberry butter, rhubarb-ginger sauce, apple butter, strawberry-rhubarb jam, blueberry-raspberry jam

Tide Mill Farm / Tide Mill Produce/Carly DelSignore & Aaron Bell/Edmunds/Fri, Sat, Sun/pork, chicken, mixed veggies, fresh & dried herbs

White's Orchard/Ann Wilson & Cecil Linscott/Frankfort/Sat, Sun/milk, cider

Wintergreen Herbs & Vegetables/Kathleen Newkirk/Winslow/Fri, Sat, Sun/garlic, shallots, mixed veggies & herbs, dried herbs & spices, herb teas, dried & fresh edible flowers

Enclosed is this year's application for the Farmers' Market area of the Common Ground Country Fair. Fair dates for this year's fair are Sept. 23, 24 and 25. You may apply for one, two or all three days. We continue to receive many compliments about the market. Thanks to all of you for making it such a great success. With your continued support we will have an even better market this September!

All non-certified vendors in addition to signing an affidavit stating that they are growing according to MOFGA's Certification Standards may be visited by MOFGA staff during the growing season for verification of organic growing practices. Please note the additional information requested on the application. The certification standards are available on line at www.mofga.org and from the Fair Office. Please familiarize yourselves with the standards and be aware that misrepresentation of conventionally raised produce is subject to a substantial federal penalty.

The "MOFGA Certified Organic" metal signs will be provided for those Farmers' Market vendors who are certified. The signs are also available for purchase through the Fair Office. With these signs, Food Area vendors in need of additional, certified organic produce can easily identify the certified farms. After the Fair, MOFGA will collect the signs for use next year.

We have changed Farmers' Market Area Guideline #5 in an effort to clarify value-added items, such as pickles, pies, etc. where the farm supplies the primary ingredients. Note that any purchased ingredients for value added items must be Certified Organic, must comply with the Food Area Guidelines and receipts must be available for inspection at the Fair. The Farmers Market is subject to the same standards as the Food Area, including accountability.

Here are the important dates relating to the Farmers' Market Area:

March 31 Applications, application fee and affidavits must be postmarked by this date. Mid April Fair office notifies applicants of their status. April 30 Farmers' Market contracts, proof of insurance and booth fee deposits due. July 1 Balance of Farmers' Market booth fees due. Mid-August Fair office sends out confirmation packs. September 23, 24 & 25 Fair!

Please send your application and $5.00 application fee directly to the Fair office as soon as possible. Applications not postmarked by March 31st may be subject to a late fee. Feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions.

Sincerely,

John Belding & Mary Burke
Farmers' Market Area Coordinators
Phone 583-4891 or 583-6047

Guidelines for the Farmers' Market Area

Purpose: The purpose of the Farmers' Market is to provide an outlet for organic growers in Maine to sell their produce and to educate fairgoers about the quality, variety and feasibility of organic farming in Maine.

1. Farmers' Market vendors are required to follow the general guidelines of the Common Ground Country Fair.
2. Produce, prepared food, and value-added food items sold in the Farmers' Market Area are subject to the same standards as food sold in the Food Area of the CGCF.
3. Farmers' Market vendors whose produce or plants are not MOFGA-certified organic must submit with their applications an affidavit stating that they are growing organically and thus that their produce or plants are certifiable. During the growing season, a member of MOFGA's Staff may pay random visits to non-certified Farmers' Market vendors for verification of organic growing practices.
4. The CGCF will provide "MOFGA-Certified Organic" signs to certified organic vendors in the Farmers' Market. Vendors should post them on the booths. The CGCF will collect the signs on Sunday at the close of the Fair.
5. A vendor may sell value-added items provided the primary ingredients are grown, raised and processed on the farm. All non-farm ingredients must be third party Certified Organic. Acceptable sweeteners include Maine Honey and Maple Syrup. Certified vinegar is currently available from a couple of Maine sources. SEE FOOD AREA GUIDELINES AND BE SURE TO FILL OUT A FOOD INGREDIENT FORM IF YOU ARE SELLING VALUE ADDED ITEMS. RECEIPTS OR PROOF OF PURCHASE FOR ALL PURCHASED INGREDIENTS WILL BE CHECKED AT THE FAIR.
6. In light of the increasing ecological concerns about genetic engineering and agriculture, the CGCF strongly encourages Farmers' Market vendors to raise fiber producing animals on grain that is free of genetically modified organisms.
7. All vendors providing fresh produce, food, or processed food products must show proof of insurance covering general liability. The Fair office will accept a photocopy of the vendor's policy. The Common Ground Country Fair Food Vendors' Association offers a group rate for vendors who need insurance only for Common Ground. Vendors may contact Pauline Baker at Keyes/Philbrick/Finley/Mullen Insurance, PO Box 100, Skowhegan, ME 04976. Phone: 474-9576.
8. The Farmers' Market Area Coordinator assigns to each vendor space that is large enough for the vendor's vehicle and display table (approximately 14' X 20').
9. The CGCF does not provide shelter to Farmers' Market vendors.
10. The CGCF does supply a limited amount of electricity for Farmers' Market Vendors, for perishable food safety. Electrical hookups are only available in a limited area of the Market, near the Information Booth and are subject to availability. An electrical supply form will need to be requested from the MOFGA office and a fee will apply.
11. Prepared foods sold at the Farmers' Market must be intended for off-site consumption. However, vendors may offer samples of their products for promotional purposes.
12. Vendors contract for space on a daily basis, paying $40.00 per day. All accepted vendors may reserve booth space for $10.00 per day until a designated date in July when the contract balance is due.

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