MOFGA hosts consistently high numbers of fairgoers at the 49th Annual Fair
The annual Common Ground Country Fair, hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), is the largest organic fair in the country. This year, MOFGA hosted over 64,420 fairgoers on the fairgrounds at the Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine; became internationally recognized as a Certified Tree Farm; and hosted a visit from Governor Janet Mills.
The goal of the Common Ground Country Fair is to support the organic farming and gardening community and provide all fairgoers with organic and sustainable living educational opportunities. This year, the event reached fairgoers from around the Northeast and beyond who came to enjoy live music, organic food, Maine-made crafts, and over 500 educational presentations.
“We’re seeing a longtime trajectory of increasing attendance numbers,” says April Boucher, Common Ground Country Fair Director. “There is consistent high interest in the Fair. At 64,420 fairgoers this year, we had a vibrant Common Ground Country Fair and enjoyed beautiful weather.”
On Friday afternoon, Gov. Mills and Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal visited the fair to participate in our Year of Youth in Agriculture event.
“Today’s Year of Youth in Agriculture event at the Common Ground Country Fair shined a spotlight on the next generation of Maine farmers, food leaders, and innovators. The energy, ideas, and passion that these young people bring is truly inspiring. I’m also grateful to Governor Mills for taking time to walk the fair with Sarah Alexander, executive director of MOFGA, meeting with exhibitors and fairgoers,” said Beal in a press release published at Maine.gov.
On Sunday afternoon, MOFGA was presented with a Certified Tree Farm sign in recognition of MOFGA’s commitment to sustainable forestry practices. MOFGA’s woodlot, spanning Unity and Thorndike, was reviewed and inspected to become a Maine Tree Farm. Maine Tree Farm certification was pursued to show landowners in Maine the opportunity to engage with a larger community of land stewards and promote low-impact forestry as a method of managing a woodlot for timber. The new Maine Tree Farm sign, presented by Allyssa Gregory, Maine Forest Service District Forester and Maine Tree Farm County Chair and Inspector, will hang along route 139/220. The MOFGA campus and woodlot is open to visitors year-round.
“It’s absolutely unique,” says MOFGA’s executive director, Sarah Alexander. “We might be the only fair in the nation with such strict sustainability standards. When people come to the fair, they know that they are supporting local organic farmers, local artisans, and the sustainable products created from our beautiful Maine landscape.”
While fairgrounds clean-up is still underway, the fair’s planning team has already begun preparing for the 50th Annual Common Ground Country Fair in 2026. Learn more about the fair here: mofga.org/the-fair.
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), formed in 1971, is the oldest and largest state organic organization in the country. MOFGA’s vision is a future where local organic farming nourishes all people, and sustains thriving ecosystems, healthy communities, and fair economies. We accomplish this through our mission to transform our food system by supporting farmers, empowering people to feed their communities, and advocating for an organic future. Learn more at mofga.org.
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