Calendar

The MOFGA Calendar

February 2012

1 - Mother: Caring For 7,000,000,000. Movie Night at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center. 6:30 p.m. light refreshments and discussion with local farmers and naturalists; 7 p.m. film. Suggested donation $5. Co-sponsored by MOFGA, Sebasticook Regional Land Trust and Maine Farmland Trust. More about the film.
1 - Penobscot Members of MOFGA Gathering and Pot-luck Supper. In Orono, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the home of Sharon Tisher. RSVP: kgreen@mofga.org or 568-4142.
1 & 2 - Nurtured here: Engaging with nutritious medicine and medicinal foods around us. $20 per day. 9 am to 4 pm, Wed. and Thurs. 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
3 - (and the first Friday of every month) MOFGA’s show “Common Ground” on WERU. The theme for the February show will be "Keeping the Family Cow." 89.9 FM and weru.org. 10 to 11 a.m.
4 - Winter Growing Workshop. 9:00 a.m. to noon at Simple Gifts Farm, 1089 N. Pleasant Street in N. Amherst, MA. Instructor: Jeremy Barker-Plotkin. This workshop is geared toward commercial growers. Details.
5 - MOFGA Board of Directors Meeting. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
7 - Winter Growing Workshop. 9:00 a.m. to noon at Natick Community Organic Farm, 117 Eliot St., South Natick, MA. Instructors: Lynda Simkins & Jean-Claude Bourrut. This workshop is geared toward commercial growers. Details.
8 - Respectful And Grateful Killing, Plucking, Drawing and Piecing of Chickens and Other Fowl. $10. Wed., 9 am to noon, 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com, or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
8 - Goose forum. Wed., 1 to 4 pm, no charge. 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com, or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
9 - MOFGA Buildings & Grounds Committee Meeting. 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. For more information, contact Vernon LeCount.
9 - Common Ground Country Fair Steering Committee Meeting. 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
9 - 11 - NOFA Soil & Nutrition Conference. In Northampton, MA. Details.
10 - 12 - NOFA Vermont Winter Conference. At the University of Vermont and Main Street Landing in Burlington. Two Friday seminars and more than 25 weekend workshops are intended for beginning to advanced commercial vegetable and berry growers. Details at www.nofavt.org/annual-events/winter-conference or call the NOFA-VT office at 802-434-4122.
10 & 12 - Felting: Preparing sheep fleece and making felt using wet felting techniques. Fri. and Sun., 9 to 4 pm. $20 per day. 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com, or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
15 - MOFGA Certified Growers’ Meeting. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Federal and State food safety legislation and rules are affecting how farmers grow, harvest, process, package and market. Join MOFGA staff and MOFGA Certification Services staff for a full day meeting covering topics such as Food Safety, Crop Insurance, Technical Assistance, Marketing and Organic Certification. MOFGA wants your feedback on how to improve the services it offers organic producers throughout the state. RSVP by emailing rsvp@mofga.org or by visiting: http://www.formstack.com/forms/MOFGA-rsvp or by calling 568-4142.
16 - Lincoln County Members of MOFGA Gathering / Pot-luck Supper. 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Mobius Community Center in Damariscotta. RSVP: kgreen@mofga.org or 568-4142.
17 - Pruning young apple, pears and stone fruits. Fri., 9 to 4 pm. $20. 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com, or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
17 - Maine Grain Conference - Commercial Production for Food and Feed. Hosted by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension at the Bangor Banquet and Conference Center (at Bangor Motor Inn). This conference will focus on food and organic feed-grade markets and how to produce quality grains. A panel of grain buyers will discuss what their looking for. Farmer and co-owner of Farmer Ground Flour, Thor Oechsner, will talk about growing, handling, and processing food-grade grains. Elizabeth Dyck, Organic Growers’ Research and Information Sharing Network, will share her insights from working with farmers in New York and Pennsylvania to supply grains to local markets. Jake Dyer, of UMaine and Qualey Farms, will tell how he’s reduce feed costs for the UMaine dairy herd by growing his own barley. Alice Percy, Treble Ridge Farm, will talk about small scale production of feed and food grains. Also, fitting organic grains into forage and crop rotations, UMaine research wheat research results, and more. Register on-line at http://extension.umaine.edu/2012mainegrain/workshop/ or register by phone by calling Meghan Dill at 207-581-3878.
18 and/or Mar. 22 - Elderly apple tree restoration. 9 to 4 pm. $20. 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com, or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
18 - Winter Growing Workshop. 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Brix Bounty Farm, 858 Tucker Road, Dartmouth, MA. Instructor: Derek Christianson. This workshop is geared toward commercial growers. Details.
21 - Winter Growing & Winter Sales Workshop. 9 am to 3 pm, Unitarian Universalist Church, 274 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301. Register by Feb. 14. $15 per person, includes lunch. Register at https://www.events.unh.edu/ or address a check payable to UNHCE and mail to UNH Cooperative Extension, BSC Office, Attn. Winter Growing, Taylor Hall, 59 College Rd., Durham, N.H. 03824. For more information contact Amy Ouellette at 603-796-2151 or amy.ouellette@unh.edu
21 - Home Orchard. Part one of a three-part series. 6:00 p.m. in the Abbott Room of the Belfast Free Library. Sponsored by the Belfast Co-op and Belfast Free Library. All talks in the series will be presented by CJ Walke, MOFGA’s Organic Orchardist.
23 - Swine Health Seminar. 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in room 319 of the Deering Building at the Department of Agriculture in Augusta. $20.00 per person (includes pizza lunch). Pre-registration is required. Contact: Cindy Kilgore at cindy.kilgore@maine.gov or 215-4968.
24 - 26 - Meet Your Farmers and Fishermen: A celebration of Community Supported Agriculture and Fisheries (CSAs and CSFs). At locations statewide. Details.
25 - Winter Growing Workshop. 9:00 a.m. to noon at Indian Line Farm, 57 Jug End Road, South Egremont, MA. Instructor: Elizabeth Keen. This workshop is geared toward commercial growers. Details.
27 - Start Your Farm Business the Right Way - By Planning to Make a Profit! At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Workshop led by Richard Wiswall, owner/operator of Cate Farm in VT, and author of The Organic Farmer’s Business Handbook. $60. Details and registration.
28 & 29 - Functional Sewing Design, for goats and people. Tue. and Wed., 9 to 4 pm. $40. 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com, or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
29 - MOFGA Certified Growers’ Meeting. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Royal River Natural Foods in Freeport. Federal and State food safety legislation and rules are affecting how farmers grow, harvest, process, package and market. Join MOFGA staff and MOFGA Certification Services staff for a full day meeting covering topics such as Food Safety, Crop Insurance, Technical Assistance, Marketing and Organic Certification. MOFGA wants your feedback on how to improve the services it offers organic producers throughout the state. RSVP by emailing rsvp@mofga.org or by visiting: http://www.formstack.com/forms/MOFGA-rsvp or by calling 568-4142.

March 2012

TBD: Organic Farming: Principles and Practices. Royal River Natural Foods, Freeport. Sponsored by MOFGA; led by Eric Sideman; for those considering converting to organic or starting an organic farm.
2 - (and the first Friday of every month) MOFGA’s show “Common Ground” on WERU. The theme of the March show will be maple syrup production. 89.9 FM and weru.org. 10 to 11 a.m.
2 & 3 - Goats: Raising the bar; milk with terroir. $20 per day, Fri. and Sat., 9 am to 4 pm, 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
3 - NOFA Winter Conference. Details at www.nofanh.org/winterConference.
3 - Environmental Action 2012. Annual conference of the Toxics Action Center. At Northeastern University in Boston. Details.
7 - Bionutrient Rich Crop Production. Course led by Dan Kitteredge, Director of the Real Food Campaign. At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. This is the second of two one-day sessions (the first scheduled on October 12, 2011). Download the brochure for the course. For more information, contact Douglas Williams at doug@realfoodcampaign.org or 603-924-7008.
7 - Tree Fruit Class. Weds., 4 to 8 pm, Epsom Fire Station, 1714 Dover Road (Rte. 4), Epsom, N.H. Registration $10. Sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension. Call Mary West at 796-2151 to pre-register; email: mary.west@unh.edu.
7 - Movie Night at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center, Unity. 6:30 p.m. light refreshments and discussion with local farmers and naturalists; 7 p.m. film. Suggested donation $5. Co-sponsored by MOFGA, Sebasticook Regional Land Trust and Maine Farmland Trust.
7 - 11 - Portland Flower Show. Details at http://portlandcompany.com/flower/
8 - Meeting of the Executive Committee of MOFGA's Board of Directors. 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
8 - Common Ground Country Fair Steering Committee Meeting. 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
8 & 9 - Maine Vegetable and Fruit School. University of Maine Cooperative Extension Highmoor Farm. The day-long school is offered on two dates at two locations: March 8 in Portland or March 9 in Bangor. Pre-registration is required. Registration cost is $35 and includes lunch. Registration deadline: February 22, 2012. Details.
9 & 10 - Preparing pelts to clothe ourselves. $40, 9 am to 4 pm, Fri. and Sat., 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
9 through 11 - Farm Business Skills Weekend Retreat. Friday evening to Sunday noon, Bangor Motor Inn, Hogan Road, Bangor. Learn about farm business management tools: QuickBooks, your farm’s budget and balance sheet, recordkeeping, creating on-line social networks, surveying customer satisfaction. Details: Andrew Files, Maine Sustainable Agriculture Society, 207-843-7581 or afiles@mesas.org; www.mesas.org/
10 - MOFGA's Spring Growth Conference: The Tomato. 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Details.
10 - Winter Growing Workshop. 9:00 a.m. to noon at Noonday Farm, 96 Windsor Road, Winchendon Springs, MA. Instructors: Bob Jennings and Beth Ingham. This workshop is geared toward homestead-scale growers. Details.
14 - MOFGA Certified Growers’ Meeting. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Ellsworth City Hall. Federal and State food safety legislation and rules are affecting how farmers grow, harvest, process, package and market. Join MOFGA staff and MOFGA Certification Services staff for a full day meeting covering topics such as Food Safety, Crop Insurance, Technical Assistance, Marketing and Organic Certification. MOFGA wants your feedback on how to improve the services it offers organic producers throughout the state. RSVP by emailing rsvp@mofga.org or by visiting: http://www.formstack.com/forms/MOFGA-rsvp or by calling 568-4142.
17 - Seed-secure farms and gardens. $20, Sat., 9 am, 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
17 - Maine Grass Farmers Network Conference. At the Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield. Details.
17 - MOFGA's Organic Orcharding Workshop: Pruning. Workshops in Blue Hill and Unity. Learn to prune fruit trees to encourage vigorous growth, heavy fruit set, and quality fruit yield. Workshop is geared toward beginners & experienced growers. Details.
17 & 18 - Top Bar Beekeeping 101. At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Gold Star Honeybees’ founder Christy Hemenway will teach this class. Co-sponsored by MOFGA. Two full days of learning with a group of like-minded folks, concerned about our environment and the health of the honey bee. For more information, call 207-449-1121 or visit www.goldstarhoneybees.com.
17 to 19 - New England Products Trade Show. Portland Sports Complex (The Dome), Portland, Maine. The only wholesale buyers show in the country dedicated to presenting hand-crafted giftware, home & garden furnishings, and specialty foods exclusively created within New England. Information: www.nepts.com/
20 - Season Extension. Part two of a three-part series. 6:00 p.m. in the Abbott Room of the Belfast Free Library. Sponsored by the Belfast Co-op and Belfast Free Library. All talks in the series will be presented by CJ Walke, MOFGA’s Organic Orchardist.
22 - Basic Goat Production Series. 1st of five classes (may sign up for one or all), 6 to 8 pm, UNH Cooperative Extension office, 315 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH. $40.00 for all 5 sessions or $10.00 per session, per person. Pre-enrollment required. For details, call or email: Mary West, mary.west@unh.edu or Dot Perkins, Dorothy.perkins@unh.edu, UNH Cooperative Extension, Merrimack County, 603-796-2151.
24 - MOFGA’s Organic Orcharding Workshop: Renovating Old Trees. Locations in Swanville and on Mount Desert Island. Details.
25 - Seed Swap & Scion Exchange. Noon to 4:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Gardeners and orchardists are invited to bring seeds, scionwood and cuttings to share, and participate in educational workshops. Free! Details.
25 - Maine Maple Sunday. Most Maine sugarhouses offer free tasting and live demonstrations of how syrup is produced from tap to table. Many offer a variety of other treats and activities including syrup on pancakes or ice cream, sugarbush tours, sleigh or wagon rides, live music and lots more.
28 - MOFGA Certified Growers’ Meeting. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Crow's Nest Restaurant in Presque Isle. Federal and State food safety legislation and rules are affecting how farmers grow, harvest, process, package and market. Join MOFGA staff and MOFGA Certification Services staff for a full day meeting covering topics such as Food Safety, Crop Insurance, Technical Assistance, Marketing and Organic Certification. MOFGA wants your feedback on how to improve the services it offers organic producers throughout the state. RSVP by emailing rsvp@mofga.org or by visiting: http://www.formstack.com/forms/MOFGA-rsvp or by calling 568-4142.
29 - Basic Goat Production Series. 2nd of five classes (sign up for one or all) from 6 to 8 pm, UNH Cooperative Extension office, 315 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH. $10.00 per session, per person. Pre-enrollment required. For details, call or email: Mary West, mary.west@unh.edu or Dot Perkins, Dorothy.perkins@unh.edu, UNH Cooperative Extension, Merrimack County, 603-796-2151.
30 - Natural Resources Conservation Service begins its second 2012 ranking period for applications for technical and financial assistance for on-farm energy, organic, and seasonal high tunnel conservation initiatives. Details.
30 & 31 - Baskets from your backyard. $40, Fri., and Sat., 9 am to 4 pm, 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
30 to 31 – 30th National Pesticide Forum, Healthy Communities: Green solutions for safe environments, Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Convened by Beyond Pesticides, Environment and Human Health, Inc., and the Watershed Partnership, Inc. www.beyondpesticides.org/forum/
31 - Rural Living Day. A day long event featuring a variety classes focused on gardening, forestry and rural life. Administered by the Waldo County Extension Association and co-sponsored by MOFGA. The event will take place in Thorndike and will be a fundraiser for a local scholarship given to graduating Waldo County high school students pursuing higher education. For more information, contact the Extension office at 1-800-287-1426.

April 2012

TBD - MOFGA Certified Growers’ Meeting. Farmington. This meeting with have a special focus on livestock. Federal and State food safety legislation and rules are affecting how farmers grow, harvest, process, package and market. Join MOFGA staff and MOFGA Certification Services staff for a full day meeting covering topics such as Food Safety, Crop Insurance, Technical Assistance, Marketing and Organic Certification. MOFGA wants your feedback on how to improve the services it offers organic producers throughout the state. RSVP by emailing rsvp@mofga.org or by visiting: http://www.formstack.com/forms/MOFGA-rsvp.
1 - MOFGA Board of Directors Meeting. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
4 - Grow Your Own Organic Garden. 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at locations around the state. Evening workshops throughout Maine give gardeners skills and knowledge to transition from conventional to organic gardening. Details. Anyone interested in being an instructor should contact Abby in the MOFGA Office at 207-568-4142 or abbys@mofga.org.
4 - Kitchen Licensing Workshop. At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. This class is designed for farmers and others interested in home-food processing for resale. Details.
4 - Basic Goat Production Series. 3rd of five classes (may sign up for one or all) from 6 to 8 pm, UNH Cooperative Extension office, 315 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH. $10.00 per session, per person. Pre-enrollment required. For details, call or email: Mary West, mary.west@unh.edu or Dot Perkins, Dorothy.perkins@unh.edu, UNH Cooperative Extension, Merrimack County, 603-796-2151.
5-7 - Traditional wooden contraptions; design and construction. $60, Thu., Fri., & Sat., 9 am to 4 pm, 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
6 - (and the first Friday of every month) MOFGA’s show “Common Ground” on WERU, 89.9 FM and weru.org. 10 to 11 a.m.
10 - Grow your Own Organic Garden. Part three of a three-part series. 6:00 p.m. in the Abbott Room of the Belfast Free Library. Sponsored by the Belfast Co-op and Belfast Free Library. All talks in the series will be presented by CJ Walke, MOFGA’s Organic Orchardist.
12 - MOFGA Buildings & Grounds Committee Meeting. 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. For more information, contact Vernon LeCount.
12 - Common Ground Country Fair Steering Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
12 - Getting The Most Out Of Your Commitment To Local AND Organic Foods. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. An event exclusively for Maine food retailers who are committed to purchasing food from local farms. Please register by sending an email to RSVP@mofga.org with the name, contact information and any dietary restrictions for each person attending. You may also call 207-568-4142.
12 - Basic Goat Production Series. 4th of five classes (may sign up for one or all) from 6 to 8 pm, UNH Cooperative Extension office, 315 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH. $10.00 per session, per person. Pre-enrollment required. For details, call or email: Mary West, mary.west@unh.edu or Dot Perkins, Dorothy.perkins@unh.edu, UNH Cooperative Extension, Merrimack County, 603-796-2151.
13 - Grain Conference. At the Jacksonville Grange in E. Machias from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Speakers will include Alice Percy, Albie Barden and Will Bonsall. For more information, contact Judy Caden.
13 & 14 - Wood-fired Oven Intensive. Hands-on baking class hosted by the Stone Turtle Baking and Cooking School in Lyman. 10% discount to MOFGA members. Details.
14 - Apple Tree Pruning & Grafting Class. At Highmoor Farm in Monmouth. Details.
14 & 15 - Maine Medical Cannabis Expo. 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center. There will be more than 100 exhibitors along with physicians to network with patients and caregivers. For more information visit http://mainecannabisexpo.com or contact Charles Wynott at charleswynott@yahoo.com or 207-854-8863.
18 & 25 - Organic Farming: Principles & Practices. Location to be determined. This two-day course, sponsored by MOFGA and led by Eric Sideman, is geared for those who are considering converting to organic production or starting an organic farm. Details.
19 - Basic Goat Production Series. 5th of five classes (may sign up for one or all) from 6 to 8 pm, UNH Cooperative Extension office, 315 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH. $10.00 per session, per person. Pre-enrollment required. For details, call or email: Mary West, mary.west@unh.edu or Dot Perkins, Dorothy.perkins@unh.edu, UNH Cooperative Extension, Merrimack County, 603-796-2151.
19 - 22 - Timberframe Class. At Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson. Learn the basics of post and beam construction, starting with standing trees and ending with a finished handsome and rugged small building. Program cost is $500 ($450 for HVNC, SWOAM & MOFGA members), and includes breakfast, lunch and all materials. No previous carpentry experience is necessary. Co-sponsored by MOFGA, which offers some scholarships. For more information, call 586-6752, send an email to gary@hvnc.org or visit www.hvnc.org.
21 - Earth Day Work Day at MOFGA. and At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Help us wake up the MOFGA grounds and prepare for the growing season. RSVP - volunteers@mofga.org.
21 - Earth Day Work Day at MOFGA; and 2012 Permaculture Design Certification Weekend Course. At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Cosponsored by MOFGA and Portland Maine Permaculture - www.meetup.com/portlandpermaculture/events/34491902/.
22 & 29 - Chainsaw Safety Class. At Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson. One and a half day class learning about chainsaw safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), saw chain and saw tooth filing, maintenance, and what to look for when buying a chainsaw. Co-sponsored by MOFGA, which offers some scholarships. Registration fee: $110 ($100 for HVNC, SWOAM and MOFGA members). No previous is experience necessary and, while technical, it will be low-stress and supportive. For more information, call 586-6752, send an email to gary@hvnc.org or visit www.hvnc.org.
27 - Let's Plant Nut Trees! No charge. Fri., 9 am to 4 pm, 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
28 - Empty Bowl Supper. To benefit MOFGA's El Salvador Sistering Committee. At the Unitarian Universalist Church in Belfast. 6:00 p.m. $15.
28 - Organic Orcharding Workshop: Grafting Fruit Trees. Somesville and at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Learn to propagate and reproduce your favorite fruit tree varieties. Details.

May 2012

TBD – Conservation projects farm tour. Tour a farm with MOFGA’s technical services staff to see practices that protect natural resources and benefit farmers; learn about programs that help implement these practices.
2 - Movie Night at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center, Unity. 6:30 p.m. light refreshments and discussion with local farmers and naturalists; 7 p.m. film. Suggested donation $5. Co-sponsored by MOFGA, Sebasticook Regional Land Trust and Maine Farmland Trust.
4 - (and the first Friday of every month) MOFGA’s show “Common Ground” on WERU, 89.9 FM and weru.org. 10 to 11 a.m.
5 - Spring Grafting of Fruit Trees. $20, Sat., 9 am to 4 pm, 3 Streams Farm, Belfast. For details contact Rose Whitehead, 322-3654, rosewhitehead@live.com or Shana Hanson, 338-8980, 209 Back Belmont Road, Belfast ME 04915.
5 - Orcharding Workshop: Orcharding 101. At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Join Michael Phillips, author of The Apple Grower, for a comprehensive exploration of organic disease and insect strategies. Pre-Registration is required. Details.
10 - Common Ground Country Fair Steering Committee Meeting. 12:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
10 - Meeting of the Executive Committee of MOFGA's Board of Directors. 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
12 - Maine Farm to School Conference, , 9 am to 4 pm, Mt. View High School, Thorndike; for educators, growers, school food service and community members. Workshops and panel discussions on curricula, school gardens, policy, food service/procurement, community. FMI: Ken Morse, ken@healthyoxfordhills.org
12 and 13 - Farm Tractor Workshop; safety, maintenance, operation; MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center, Unity. Register at mofga.org. $150.
13 – Temple Grandin speaking at Pineland Center, New Gloucester, Maine. http://umaine.edu/livestock/mgfn/
15 - Pollinator Training. At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Co-sponsored by MOFGA and the Xerces Society. Attendees get a crash course in basic bee field identification, pollinator biology and habitat requirements, habitat restoration, bee-friendly farm management practices, and incorporating pollinator conservation into federal conservation programs. For more information on upcoming pollinator conservation planning short courses, contact Eric Mader at eric@xerces.org.

June 2012

Weekly Through August - Farm Training Project Workshops. At locations around the state. Workshops give apprentices and other young, beginning, and aspiring farmers the chance to visit other farms, learn from farmers about their areas of expertise, and network. Details.
1 - (and the first Friday of every month) MOFGA’s show “Common Ground” on WERU, 89.9 FM and weru.org. 10 to 11 a.m.
1 - Natural Resources Conservation Service begins its third 2012 ranking period for applications for technical and financial assistance for on-farm energy, organic, and seasonal high tunnel conservation initiatives. Details.
3 - MOFGA Board of Directors Meeting. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
14 - MOFGA Buildings & Grounds Committee Meeting. 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. For more information, contact Vernon LeCount.
14 - Common Ground Country Fair Steering Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
23 - Organic Orcharding Workshop: Managing Fruit Trees Organically. At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Join C.J. Walke, MOFGA’s Organic Orchardist, as he discusses organic orcharding methods and explains how he manages MOFGA's orchards. Details.

July 2012

6 - (and the first Friday of every month) MOFGA’s show “Common Ground” on WERU, 89.9 FM and weru.org. 10 to 11 a.m.
12 - Meeting of the Executive Committee of MOFGA's Board of Directors. 3:00 to 5:30 at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
12 - Common Ground Country Fair Steering Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
26 & 27 - The Kneading Conference. At the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds. The conference brings together novice and professional bakers, grain farmers and millers, researchers, wood-fired oven enthusiasts and lovers of handcrafted breads for workshops, presentations, and panel discussions. MOFGA is a sustainaing sponsor of this event. Details.
28 - Artisan Bread Fair. At the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds. More than 70 vendors. Tour the Somerset Grist Mill. Live music. Details.
28 - Organic Orcharding Workshop: Bud Grafting. Thorndike. Bud grafting is a great way to start your own fruit trees as well as many ornamentals. Details.

August 2012

3 - (and the first Friday of every month) MOFGA’s show “Common Ground” on WERU, 89.9 FM and weru.org. 10 to 11 a.m.
9 - MOFGA Board of Directors Meeting. 1:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
9 - MOFGA Buildings & Grounds Committee Meeting. 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. For more information, contact Vernon LeCount.
9 - Common Ground Country Fair Steering Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
10 - 12 - NOFA Summer Conference. Amherst, MA. Details.

September 2012

7 - (and the first Friday of every month) MOFGA’s show “Common Ground” on WERU, 89.9 FM and weru.org. 10 to 11 a.m.
13 - Meeting of the Executive Committee of MOFGA's Board of Directors. 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
13 - Common Ground Country Fair Steering Committee Meeting. 6:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
19 - Common Ground Country Fair Planning Team Pot-luck Supper and Meeting. 6:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
21 - 23 - Common Ground Country Fair. MOFGA’s premier event celebrating rural living. Three full days of educational talks and demonstrations, entertainment, delicious Maine-grown, organic food and products from local artisans. Details. To volunteer contact volunteers@mofga.org.

October 2012

3 - Common Ground Country Fair Planning Team Wrap-up Meeting. 6:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
5 - (and the first Friday of every month) MOFGA’s show “Common Ground” on WERU, 89.9 FM and weru.org. 10 to 11 a.m.
6 - 8 - Nose to Tail Pork Processing. At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. This workshop covers all aspects of raising, humanely slaughtering, and processing pigs. Registration opens June 1st. Details.
11 - MOFGA Buildings & Grounds Committee Meeting. 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. For more information, contact Vernon LeCount.
14 - MOFGA Board of Directors Meeting. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
14 - Common Ground Country Fair Steering Committee Meeting and Pot-luck Lunch. 9:00 a.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. The afternoon session will be a joint meeting of the Steering Committee and the MOFGA Board of Directors.
21 - Great Maine Apple Day. At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Celebrate the history, tradition, and flavor of Maine apples with MOFGA. Rare and heirloom apple displays, educational talks, as well as apples and apple products for sale. Details.
24 - Food Day. Food Day seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life to push for health, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way. www.foodday.org.

November 2012

2 - (and the first Friday of every month) MOFGA’s show “Common Ground” on WERU, 89.9 FM and weru.org. 10 to 11 a.m.
8 - MOFGA Fundraising Committee Meeting. 10:00 a.m. to noon at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
8 - MOFGA Finance Committee Meeting. Noon to 2:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
8 - Meeting of the Executive Committee of the MOFGA Board of Directors. 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
8 - Common Ground Country Fair Steering Committee Meeting. 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
9 - 11 - Farmer to Farmer Conference. At Point Lookout in Northport. This is MOFGA’s annual conference for farmers - a great opportunity to talk about what works and what doesn’t while learning new ideas from University faculty, fellow farmers, and others. Registration will open in early August. Details.
TBD - Low Impact Forestry Workshops. At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. For people who want to learn and practice sustainable woodlot management, as well as logging with animals and low-impact machinery. Details.
TBD - Chainsaw & Forestry Safety Courses. At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Level I is a two-day course covering many aspects of chainsaw use including; the basics of saw mechanics, operation, maintenance, and safety and an opportunity to learn and practice safe felling techniques. Level II is offered on Friday only and is designed for the saw operator who has experience, but wants to practice and improve upon their technique. This course is open to graduates of the Level I course with one year of practice. All students are expected to provide a tuned saw, tools, PPE (steel toed boots, leg protection, hearing, eye and head protection) and gloves. Details.
10 & 11 - Maine Harvest Festival. At the Bangor Auditorium. MOFGA will have an exhibit. Details.

December 2012

2 - MOFGA Board of Directors Meeting. 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.
5 - Kitchen Licensing Workshop. At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. This class is designed for farmers and others interested in home-food processing for resale. Details.
7 - (and the first Friday of every month) MOFGA’s show “Common Ground” on WERU, 89.9 FM and weru.org. 10 to 11 a.m.
13 - MOFGA Buildings & Grounds Committee Meeting. 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. For more information, contact Vernon LeCount.
13 - Common Ground Country Fair Steering Committee Meeting. 5:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity.