Did you know that MOFGA has two orchards on our grounds in Unity and also manages the Maine Heritage Orchard – a young preservation orchard in a former gravel pit just down the road? Over 300 varieties of apples and pears traditionally grown in Maine are growing there. Our orchard crew works hard to care for all these trees using organic methods, all year long. Each year more and more trees begin to produce fruit. This year we are harvesting lots of apples – from the early Chenango Strawberry to the soon-to-ripen Starkey. We want to share the harvest with you!
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To celebrate our newly-opened store – the Maine Organic Marketplace in Freeport – we’ll be hosting MOFGA’s orcharding crew outside the store on September 24th. Drop by anytime between 3 & 6 pm to see educational displays about Maine apples and to sample a selection of apple varieties. We will also be selling bags filled with a selection of heritage apples from our orchards so you can enjoy them at home!
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MOFGA’s Orchard Coordinator, Laura Sieger, as well as other members of the orchard crew will be available to answer questions about your fruit trees, too! After all, it’s the perfect time of year to begin thinking about preparing for winter – putting on tree guards, adding compost, seaweed or hardwood chips around the base of your trees, and preparing sites for spring planting.
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You can shop for local, handmade crafts and gifts (including many items usually found for sale at the Common Ground Country Fair) at our store in downtown Freeport every day of the week!
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The store is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. We’ll be open late on Friday September 24th for this event.