November 2009

• 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 here: 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
• 5 – UMaine Cooperative Extension Beef Conference, "Cattle Health – Putting the Pieces Together," Ramada Inn, Bangor. Registration and trade show begin at 8 a.m. FMI: Dee Potter, UMaine Cooperative Extension, 1-800-287-1421 (in Maine) or 207-834-3905
• 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. Sold Out! Call the MOFGA office at 568-4142 to be placed on a waiting list. Led by Cheryl Wixson, MOFGA's Resident Chef and Organic Marketing Consultant. At the Common Ground Education Center in 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.

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.
• 15 - Deadline for applying for MOFGA’s journeyperson program. www.mofga.org
• 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
• 29 - Organic Farmer Loan Fund application deadline. www.mofga.org
• 29 to 30 - Maine Farmers’ Market Convention, Belfast, Down East Business Alliance, www.downeastbiz.org/. FMI: Sarah Joy Salagala, sjsalagala@whcacap.org. 207-664-2424 ext. 4460

February 2010

• (TBA) – Cooking and Preparing Fresh Fish, Cheryl Wixson of MOFGA, and Port Clyde Fresh Catch. Common Ground Education Center, Unity.
• 3 - MOFGA Certified Growers' Meeting. 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. at Royal River Natural Foods in Freeport. MOFGA Certification Services staff interact with and receive feedback from constituents; growers discuss issues as a group; MOFGA’s organic marketing coordinator, Melissa White Pillsbury, talks about marketing and MOFGA’s online directory. We will post details in January.
• 4 to 5 - Introduction to Organic Farming Short Course, Island Institute, Rockland. www.mofga.org
• 6 - Aroostook Organic Growers' Seminar. 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. MOFGA Certification Services and MOFGA Agricultural Services Staff will hold a Saturday seminar in Aroostook to cover certification questions and issues, organic crop improvement topics and food safety. We'll post details in January.
• 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 - MOFGA Certified Growers' Meeting. 1:30 - 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. MOFGA Certification Services staff interact with and receive feedback from constituents; growers discuss issues as a group; MOFGA’s organic marketing coordinator, Melissa White Pillsbury, talks about marketing and MOFGA’s online directory. We will post details in January.
• 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.
• 27 - Maine Grass Farmers Network conference, Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield. Keynote speakers Troy Bishop, Rachel Gilker and Seth Wilner. www.umaine.edu/umext/mgfn/
• 28 - Maine Community Supported Agriculture and Fisheries (CSA and CSF) Fair, 1 to 4 p.m., locations statewide. FMI: www.mofga.org, melissa@mofga.org, 207-568-4142

March 2010

• 4 to 6, Maine Fishermen's Forum, Rockport; www.mainefishermensforum.org
• 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 2010

• 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.
• 17 - Earth Day Work Day, MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center, Unity. Help us wake up the gardens for the season! www.mofga.org
• 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 2010

• 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 2010

• 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

September 2010

• 24, 25 & 26 - Common Ground Country Fair. MOFGA's signature event, celebrating Maine's organic bounty. Always the third weekend after Labor Day. Mark your calendars! Details.

October 2010

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