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| Eric Sideman - MOFGA Organic Crop Specialist |
MOFGA's Agricultural Services Program provides farming, gardening and marketing assistance to growers in Maine and beyond. Program staff members and volunteers assist seasoned organic growers, help new organic farmers get started, and educate conventional farmers concerning the benefits of organic methods. Whether you're growing acres of vegetables, producing organic milk, or planting your first garden, we want to help you succeed!
Our Agricultural Services Program publishes many resources on organic farming and gardening:
Program Summary: MOFGA was the first organization in the country to provide technical assistance in organic farming and gardening. Since 1986, Eric Sideman, MOFGA's Organic Crops Specialist, has helped hundreds of farmers solve growing problems and improve their soils. Eric is the author of many of MOFGA's fact sheets on organic farming and gardening. During the growing season, he produces a weekly pest report, which identifies local insect and disease problems, and provides organic solutions. Currently, Eric is working on a farmer-to-farmer directory of sustainable farming practices in Maine. The report will be available in 2007. Our Organic Livestock Specialist, Diane Schivera, assists farmers with questions about raising farm animals organically. Diane works closely with the Maine Alternative Poultry Association (MAPA), and the Maine Grass Farmers' Network. She coordinates workshops and pasture walks on alternative livestock health practices, and management. Diane also writes fact sheets on livestock issues. Both Eric and Diane provide technical assistance through on-site farm visits, phone conversations and written and email correspondence. Eric works from an office in Greene (phone 207-946-4402). Diane works from the MOFGA offices in Unity (phone 207-568-4142).
MOFGA also provides marketing assistance for Maine's organic farmers. Melissa White, our Organic Marketing Coordinator, helps MOFGA farmers identify appropriate markets, and assists markets in securing reliable sources of farm goods. Cheryl Wixson is working with MOFGA to develop a strategic marketing plan for organic, locally-grown foods. A primary focus of MOFGA's organic farm marketing efforts is developing the network of Community Supported Agriculture farm programs (CSAs), and increasing the number of Maine households participating in the model.
Other MOFGA resources available to growers and consumers include: directories of local and organic farms and markets; organic crop price reports; and power point presentations about organic farming and gardening.
Our Agricultural Services staff also works closely with Maine's Farms for the Future Program, which helps farmers develop business plans.
MOFGA's volunteer Agricultural Services Committee provides guidance to our staff. As most members are farmers, Committee meetings happen primarily outside the growing season. MOFGA's Executive Director, Russell Libby, supervises the program activities. Our Educational Programs Director, Andrew Marshall, and our Certification Services Director, Mary Yurlina, also work closely with the program.