Access to funding is so often a barrier for individuals and communities looking to start food and land-based projects. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are banks and credit unions that specifically focus on making financial resources more accessible to marginalized communities, who are typically excluded from the financial system. CDFIs are commonly used to fund […]
Get in touch with MOFGA at the 2025 Agricultural Trades Show! Join us for the following slate of events: 9-10 a.m. — Coffee Hour Crop Conversation Caleb Goossen, MOFGA Crop Specialist; Jason Lilley, University of Maine Extension; and others Join extension, technical assistance providers, and your peers for a round table discussion on vegetable production. […]
This event has been rescheduled to January 16. Join University of Maine Extension Maple Industry Educator, Jason Lilley, to learn everything you need to know about making your own maple syrup. We'll discuss identifying and tapping trees, collecting and boiling sap, as well as filtering, grading, and canning syrup. Jason will focus on homestead-scale systems […]
*This is a 3 part webinar series with sessions taking place on: January 18, January 19, & January 25 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. All sessions will be recorded & the recordings shared with registrants. We will reserve January 26 as a snow date in case of power or internet outages. About the class: There are […]
*This is a 3 part webinar series with sessions taking place on: January 18, January 19, & January 25 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. All sessions will be recorded & the recordings shared with registrants. We will reserve January 26 as a snow date in case of power or internet outages. About the class:There are so many […]
This winter, MOFGA will be hosting three webinars to introduce tools that are commonly part of a farm's financial records, highlighting and demonstrating effective and efficient ways to use them to assess risks and evaluate opportunities. These online sessions will cover Cash Flow projections, Unit Cost Analysis spreadsheets, and Income Statements’ Chart of Accounts, showing that […]
*This is a 3 part webinar series with sessions taking place on: January 18, January 19, & January 25 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. All sessions will be recorded & the recordings shared with registrants. We will reserve January 26 as a snow date in case of power or internet outages. About the class:There are so many […]
This winter, MOFGA will be hosting three webinars to introduce tools that are commonly part of a farm's financial records, highlighting and demonstrating effective and efficient ways to use them to assess risks and evaluate opportunities. These online sessions will cover Cash Flow projections, Unit Cost Analysis spreadsheets, and Income Statements’ Chart of Accounts, showing that […]
Did you know that there are over 4,000 different wild bee species in the US? We usually think of wild pollinating bees in our gardens and meadows, but many of our wild bee species also rely on forest habitats for part of their life cycle. For example, some are specialized to only collect pollen and […]
Join us for the first of our February farmer-led producer meetings, facilitated by MOFGA’s Organic Crop and Conservation Specialist, Caleb Goosen. Meet with fellow farmers to discuss seeding schedules, both for in the ground in tunnels, and for seedlings.We will dive into topics like:How many successions?When do you start? How much time is between them?This session will […]
Hosted by MOFGA, this webinar will be led by staff members of Ambrook who will share some tips and tools to start off 2025 with strong farm recordkeeping habits. The session will include free resources that help you find funding for your operation, best practices for good books, and an overview of Ambrook's ag bookkeeping software. […]
This winter, MOFGA will be hosting three webinars to introduce tools that are commonly part of a farm's financial records, highlighting and demonstrating effective and efficient ways to use them to assess risks and evaluate opportunities. These online sessions will cover Cash Flow projections, Unit Cost Analysis spreadsheets, and Income Statements’ Chart of Accounts, showing that […]
Join us for the second of our February farmer-led producer meetings, facilitated by MOFGA’s Organic Crop and Conservation Specialist, Caleb Goosen. Meet with fellow farmers to discuss a topic of interest. The topic will be chosen by the farmers in attendance at our February 12 meeting on seeding schedules and announced at a later date. This session […]
Join us for the first of our March farmer-led producer meetings, facilitated by MOFGA’s Organic Crop and Conservation Specialist, Caleb Goosen. Meet with fellow farmers to discuss a topic of interest. The topic will be chosen by the farmers in attendance at our February 27 meeting and announced at a later date. This session will be farmer-led […]
This event is hosted by UMaine Cooperative Extension. Concerned about how a more extreme climate is impacting your farm or landscape? Too much or too little water? Concerned about soil erosion, wind impacts or shifting seasons? Come learn about Climate Adaptation Planning as a tool to assess risks and identify solutions to increase resilience and […]
*In the event of severe weather, the event will take place on Sunday, March 9 at 10 am.Learn to prune fruit trees to encourage vigorous growth, heavy fruit set and quality fruit yield. Fruit tree experts will offer hands-on pruning experience. Collection of scion wood and storage will also be discussed. This workshop is directed […]
MOFGA is bringing back our Spring Growth conference!Building off the conversation that was created in the “Striving to Normalize Farm Financials” session at our Farmer to Farmer Conference last fall, MOFGA is hosting a one day event for diversified mixed vegetable farms in Maine, to generate and share open conversation about farm financial realities. The […]
The Climate Forums are brought to you by NOFA-VT and MOFGA. This event is one in a three-part series discussing flooding, excess precipitation, and farm resilience.Farmers throughout New England have been severely impacted by extreme precipitation and flooding. As a result, farms are innovating, exploring creative and meaningful ways to adapt their businesses and production […]
This event is hosted by UMaine Cooperative Extension. Ecological Design is a helpful tool for implementing a Climate Adaptation Plan. In this workshop Jesse Watson from Maine Ecological Design School will introduce the Ecological Design process and principles that go into this type of planning process. Some considerations include: categories of land use; reading the landscape, […]
*In the event of snow or severe rain, the event will take place on Sunday, March 23 at 10 am.Are there old, overgrown fruit trees on or near your property? Don’t give up on them! Join us for this pruning workshop focused on renovating mature or neglected fruit trees.This workshop is appropriate for those who […]
Join MOFGA and Maine Farmland Trust for climate and soil health-focused conversation for farmers and agricultural service providers. We will address climate-driven events on our farms by focusing on our strengths and building our community of resources. This will be a facilitated discussion, led by farmers, about climate needs, concerns, and adaptation strategies. Expect to […]
This event is hosted by Maine Grain Alliance as part of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program. Maine’s grain economy has seen incredible growth over the last decade, driven by a revival of the state’s milling and malting industries.Farmers and producer partnerships made this revival possible and maintaining them will be crucial to meet the […]
The Climate Forums are brought to you by NOFA-VT and MOFGA. This event is one in a three-part series discussing flooding, excess precipitation, and farm resilience.Sean Birkel will review Maine’s historical temperature and precipitation trends and future climate projections, and discuss impacts to the growing season. Sean will give an overview of online tools relevant […]
This event is hosted by UMaine Cooperative Extension. Soil fertility is subject to change over the course of the growing season and requires active management. A good fertility management program helps to ensure that commercial crop and forage production is efficient, as well as economically and environmentally sustainable. In recent years, extreme weather events characterized by […]
Do you have farm animals? Do they have hooves? Do they get their hooves trimmed? Why not?Overlooking the hoof health of our farm animals has economic and welfare consequences. While it can be a valid choice to hire someone to maintain the integrity of hooves on our farms and homesteads, as caretakers we are obligated […]
Join MOFGA and American Farmland Trust for climate disaster relief focused conversation and listening session for farmers and agricultural service providers. Were you impacted by the December 2024 storm? A flooding event? Concerned about how climate-driven events might impact your farm in the future? We want to hear what you think robust disaster relief programs […]
*This event has been rescheduled from March 29 to April 5 due to inclement weather.Learn to prune berry bushes to encourage plant health, vigorous growth, and high fruit yield. Seth Yentes, co-owner and operator of North Branch Farm, will offer guidance on pruning techniques and safety, as well as hands-on pruning experience via some of […]
*This event has been rescheduled from March 29 to April 5 due to inclement weather.Are there old, overgrown fruit trees on or near your property? Don’t give up on them! Join us for this pruning workshop focused on renovating mature or neglected fruit trees.This workshop is appropriate for those who have not pruned fruit trees […]
*Postponed to April 6 due to inclement weather forecast*Kick off the growing season at this free, annual event!Gardeners and orchardists are invited to bring their seeds, scionwood (fruit tree wood for propagating fruit trees), and plants to share. You don't need to bring anything in order to participate! There is always an abundance of seeds […]
Elizabeth Keen from Indian Line Farm in South Egremont, MA will discuss the process of completely remodeling a 1930s dairy barn into an updated wash/pack, using funds from the MA Food Security and Infrastructure Grant. Elizabeth has been managing the farm since 1997. Indian Line has a 250 member CSA, one Saturday market and does […]
The Climate Forums are brought to you by NOFA-VT and MOFGA. This event is one in a three-part series discussing flooding, excess precipitation, and farm resilience. Climate Adaptation Planning is a useful tool to assess risks and identify strategies to increase resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change. This session will discuss the process […]
The Organic Grain & Summit will bring together grain growers and seed savers for a day of educational workshops at Kennebec Valley Community College. Attendees will explore topics such as building soil health, managing weeds organically, growing grains for seed production, and heritage grain seed restoration.Tickets are free for farmers, $50 for non-farmers, or $25 […]
Join us for the first in this webinar series focused on produce safety! Throughout this series of three webinars, Lindsay Werner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry and Robson Machado of the Cooperative Extension will guide farmers through the information needed to build and implement food safety plans. This webinar is intended to prepare […]
Take action to support farmers!The federal funding freeze is just one of many federal actions that is affecting farmers. Cuts in crucial programming and mass firings of vital staffing also have a direct impact on farmers. While some funds have been unfrozen and some staff have been temporarily reinstated, the short-term impacts have been harmful […]
Learn how to support your livestock animals’ health by examining their fecal samples for parasites and general markers of gut health. Fecal monitoring is one important way to measure the well-being of your animals, and some fecal monitoring can be done at home with the right knowledge and equipment. In this class, Jacki Martinez Perkins, […]
Join MOFGA and Maine Farmland Trust for a climate and soil health focused conversation for farmers and agricultural service providers. We want to address climate-driven events on your farm by focusing on our strengths and building our community of resources. This will be a facilitated discussion, led by farmers, about climate needs, concerns, and adaptation […]
*In the event of severe weather, this workshop will be held on April 20 at 10 am.Sold Out - to be added to the waitlist, email [email protected] how to reproduce your favorite apple tree varieties through bench grafting — the practice of grafting fruit tree scionwood onto rootstock — in this beginner-level workshop. Bench grafting is […]
Please join us for our next No Till Grower Meeting on Sunday April 27 at Assawaga Farm in Connecticut from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This event is geared toward farmers who are growing using no-till, ecological practices or are actively transitioning to these methods. Also learn about organic mentorship opportunities offered through the Transition […]
Join us for the second event in this series focused on produce safety! Throughout this series of three webinars, Lindsay Werner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry and Robson Machado of the Cooperative Extension will guide us through the information we need to build and implement food safety plans. This workshop is intended to […]
This event is hosted by UMaine Cooperative Extension. Ponds are a key nature-based tool for tackling challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity. In this workshop, participants learn how to build and maintain a pond to enhance their landscape, increase biodiversity, maximize wildlife habitat, and help reach water management goals in a […]
Mushrooms are a delicious addition to almost any garden, homestead, woodlot, or farm. In this introductory workshop, learn how to select mushroom logs and varieties, with a specific focus on shiitakes; design an appropriate site for growing shiitakes outdoors; and practice inoculating logs. Participants will be able to bring home an inoculated shiitake log, which […]
Join us for a deep dive into sugarbush management! This crash course will cover an overview of maple in Maine, habitat assessment (including Bird Friendly Maple! and invasive plants), production, and financial incentives. You'll leave this workshop with resources and knowledge to increase the biodiversity of your sugarbush while accessing financial resources (including NRCS), forestry technical assistance, and a couple different certifications. This […]
Join us for the third event in this series focused on produce safety! Throughout this series of three webinars, Lindsay Werner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry and Robson Machado of the Cooperative Extension will guide us through the information we need to build and implement food safety plans. This webinar is intended to […]
This workshop with Cynthia from Labor Movement will focus on body mechanics and movement patterns to help avoid potential work related musculoskeletal injuries while farming. We will discuss and practice ideal vs real and ways to modify to get the work done safely and efficiently.In addition to the workshop, there will be a table of […]
Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops are designed for journeypeople, farmworkers, and other beginning farmers. They follow an informal format including a farm tour and conversation on the topic of the day. Tour a diversified vegetable farm to see various infrastructure and soil health practices at work. Dharma Farm is a certified organic farm in Washington, Maine, growing […]
Jacki Martinez-Perkins and Nicolas Lindholm of MOFGA, in partnership with the Cumberland County Food Security Council, have built a financial analysis tool to help support and inform historically underserved farmers in Maine raising culturally important livestock species. This spreadsheet tool is meant to use current, real-world data inputs to help growers and technical service providers […]
Farm & Homestead Day at MOFGA is a free, annual, volunteer-run event. The day's activities center around sustainable living and consist of delicious food and opportunities to learn new skills through hands-on workshops for people of all ages. To learn more, visit the event's main page here.What to bring:We are striving for a zero waste event. […]
Please join us for our next no-till grower meeting on Sunday June 22, 1-6:30 p.m. at Tobacco Road Farm in Connecticut. This event is geared toward farmers who are growing using no-till, ecological practices or are actively transitioning to these methods. These events are not intended for gardeners or homesteaders. Participants will also learn about […]
Join us for an immersive and exciting event in June: The ASCFG Equipment & Field Day, hosted by the marvelous Johnny’s Selected Seeds! This event will feature live demonstrations and expert instruction on how to use different farm tools (both hand and tractor scale equipment) on Johnny’s research farm.After a welcome and an introduction, attendees […]
Join Seth Kroeck for an educational field day at Crystal Spring Farm, exploring the topic of small-scale organic grain production on sandy soils. This event will offer grain growers an opportunity to see the farm’s grain operation first-hand and learn from Seth's experience adapting organic production methods to Maine's unique soil conditions.REGISTER HERE.
Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops are designed for journeypeople, farmworkers, and other beginning farmers. They follow an informal format including a farm tour and conversation on the topic of the day. Knowing proper handling and first-aid techniques can save lots of money and grief when raising livestock on your farm. Jacki Martinez Perkins, a long-time homesteader […]
Do you have farm animals? Do they have hooves? Do they get their hooves trimmed? Why not?Overlooking the hoof health of our farm animals has economic and welfare consequences. While it can be a valid choice to hire someone to maintain the integrity of hooves on our farms and homesteads, as caretakers, we are obligated […]
Join us on July for a two-part workshop at UMaine’s Rogers Farm! To start things off, UMaine Extension Professor, Dr. Jaime Garzon, will showcase his legume variety trial and outline the practical applications of this research as cover crops for grain growers. In the second session, UMaine Research Associate Tom Molloy will lead attendees through […]
Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops are designed for journeypeople, farmworkers, and other beginning farmers. They follow an informal format including a farm tour and conversation on the topic of the day. Hall Brook Farm in Thorndike, Maine, grows organic vegetables for wholesale markets on a tractor scale. Come learn about farming practices Hall Brook Farm has implemented […]
Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops are designed for journeypeople, farmworkers, and other beginning farmers. They follow an informal format including a farm tour and conversation on the topic of the day. Come walk through flowers with Swell Farm to learn the basics about flower farming through the seasons in Maine. Different sales channels will be discussed including […]
Do you have farm animals? Do they have hooves? Do they get their hooves trimmed? Why not? Overlooking the hoof health of our farm animals has economic and welfare consequences. While it can be a valid choice to hire someone to maintain the integrity of hooves on our farms and homesteads, as caretakers, we are […]
Join us to learn from the authors of a recent report we developed that details the historical growth trajectory of organic agriculture in Maine from 2007-2022. Report authors Jed Beach of FarmSmart Business Services and Rose Wilson of Rose Wilson Consulting will sit down with MOFGA’s Executive Director, Sarah Alexander, to share how the report […]
Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops are designed for journeypeople, farmworkers, and other beginning farmers. They follow an informal format including a farm tour and conversation on the topic of the day. Join Caleb Goossen, MOFGA’s crop specialist, and Sound Pine Farm in Brunswick, ME, for a tour and discussion on establishing a low-till production system. We will […]
Come join us for an open, comfortable, and facilitated space for parents who farm. Hear from others who know the juggle and the struggle. We will hear about things that have worked… and some epic fails. How might roles shift year to year and season to season as the children grow?Food and childcare provided! Please […]
One of the strategies for avoiding Colorado potato beetles is to plant your crop early. Another strategy is to plant your crop late. Which potato planting timing is right for you and your farm?Join Everett Ottinger of Nettie Fox Farm and MOFGA's Organic Crop Specialist Caleb Goossen for a walk through of an on-farm participatory […]
Do you have farm animals? Do they have hooves? Do they get their hooves trimmed? Why not? Overlooking the hoof health of our farm animals has economic and welfare consequences. While it can be a valid choice to hire someone to maintain the integrity of hooves on our farms and homesteads, as caretakers, we are […]
Join herbalist, farmer, and author Kathi Langelier for a guided tour of Herbal Revolution’s certified organic herb farm in Union, Maine. With over 30 years of experience, Kathi will share insights into cultivating medicinal herbs and running a value- added herbal products business. Come walk the farm and learn the ins and outs of running […]
Join Maine Grain Alliance's Director of Heritage Seed Restoration, Richard Roberts, for a winter grain planting demonstration on September 4! This workshop is an excellent hands-on opportunity for established and/or transitioning organic grain growers of any scale.REGISTER HERE.NOTE: Exact date and field location (Skowhegan area) are subject to change based on weather conditions. Please register […]
The Common Ground Country Fair will be held at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine on September 19, 20, and 21, 2025. MOFGA’s annual celebration of rural living features 1000+ exhibitors and speakers, and emphasizes vibrant communities, sustainable living and local economies, while highlighting organic agriculture. Learn more here.Advance tickets are on sale […]
Join one of Maine's largest organic grain growers, Sean O'Donnell, for a farm tour and field day at Rusted Rooster Farm, featuring an in-depth discussion on grain growing, post-harvest handling, and a (weather-dependent) oat harvest demonstration!REGISTER HERE.
Join us for a farm field day at Sasanoa Brewing – Maine's only certified organic brewery! This event will feature a tour of Sasanoa's brewing operation with owner Kyle DePietro, alongside Seth Kroeck of Crystal Spring Farm and Ian Gerring of Blue Ox Malthouse. They will share insights on growing, sourcing, and brewing with organic […]
Join us for our three-part, online series: Starting Your Farm.First in the series is Accessing Resources. If you are interested in starting a farm, it is never too soon to consider your options of how to access land and capital resources. Join Maine’s Field Agent for Land For Good and Bo Dennis, MOFGA’s beginning farmer […]
This event is hosted by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Join us for a webinar exploring three essential pillars of running a successful native plant nursery: passion, patience, and product. We’ll dive into the practical, logistical, and personal aspects of starting and sustaining a nursery business, including day to day operations. Whether you’re just […]
Join us at the Blue Hill Co-Op for a cider and apple tasting to celebrate fall!The cider and apple tasting will begin at 4 pm. Sarah Alexander, Executive Director of MOFGA, will speak at 5:00 p.m. to share news, updates, and discuss the work ahead.RSVP HEREQuestions? Email Joseph Nowak at [email protected].
This event is hosted by the Maine Tasting Center. Join Waldoberry Farm, a local farm specializing in aronia berries and other unique fruits, for a deep dive into one of Maine’s most underappreciated superfruits! If you’ve never heard of aronia, you’re not alone—this class will introduce you to its history, flavor, and potential health benefits, all […]
Join us for our three-part, online series: Starting Your Farm.Next in the series is Selecting Enterprises. Once you have begun to explore your options for starting a farm, it is important to consider what you plan to grow and sell. Join Nicolas Lindholm, MOFGA’s business and marketing specialist, for an interactive workshop on enterprise selection […]
This by-donation event and will take place at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center in Unity, ME with a mix of outdoor and indoor activities. Join MOFGA for a celebration of apples and the fall harvest! This event's mainstay is the apple, and the fruit is central among many of our vendors, workshops, and activities.This family-friendly event […]
Join us for our three-part, online series: Starting Your Farm.The final part of our series is Planning for Your First Year in Production. Designed for participants who have attended session one and two, this workshop will cover how to create a production plan for your first year. This interactive workshop will guide you through the […]
*Registration for this workshop has closed. To be added to the waitlist, email [email protected] us for a three-day workshop that will bring you through the process of slaughtering and butchering a pig, so that you can do so confidently, humanely, and safely with pigs at home or on-farm. On Day 1, participants will learn from Jason Tessier, […]
*The snow date for this event is December 8.Join MOFGA for our annual Kitchen Licensing Workshop!This in-person workshop is designed for farmers, homesteaders, and aspiring small business owners interested in producing value-added food products (e.g. cheese, ice cream, baked goods, preserves, ferments) to sell for retail in Maine. Participants will learn about the process of […]
This event is hosted by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.Julia Baecher started East of Eden as a backyard passion project in 2012 and has since farmed at three different scales; from a home plot to a six-acre leased (and later owned) property, and back again. Each move brought new lessons in efficiency, investment, and […]
