Many conservationists, farmers, and backyard gardeners find themselves tasked with managing invasive, or introduced, species that outcompete native ones. Limiting the spread of such species, and revitalizing native plant populations, has been identified as a key solution for combatting biodiversity loss. Less widely known are the social aspects of how we manage and discuss invasive […]
This meeting is being hosted by Meeting House Farm. In celebration of the arrival of spring we are happy to announce that our Seedling Sale is coming up May 17 and 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Falmouth, Maine! During the sale, Emily Springer will also offer her popular "Grow Your Own Apothecary" class […]
*This event has been cancelled due to extenuating circumstances. For a previous iteration of this webinar on MOFGA's YouTube channel, click here.Questions? Concatct [email protected]
Learn safe chainsaw operation in these one-and-a-half-day courses. We’ll cover personal protective equipment (PPE) and chainsaw selection, and practice safe handling and open-face bore cutting techniques with instructor supervision. Designed for beginners.REGISTER HERELearn more about MOFGA's chainsaw courses here!$240 general admission and $190 for MOFGA and Midcoast Conservancy members.Questions? Email [email protected]
Are you finally getting that backyard chicken flock you've long dreamed of? Join us for this introductory workshop on keeping backyard chickens, with MOFGA's Organic Dairy & Livestock Specialist, Jacki Martinez Perkins. This workshop will cover topics such as: the basics of chicken care over the seasons; site preparation; and troubleshooting common issues. Participants will […]
*This is the fourth in a series of 9 classes. Registration price covers the whole series. **Registration is free for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members and participants in the MOFGA Journeyperson Program. Join Master Beekeeper Karen Thurlow for our first-ever foray into beekeeping through the seasons. From getting hives going in […]
Join us for this free, hands-on, skill-sharing event! All ages are invited to MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center in Unity for a day of fun and learning focused on sustainable living skills. Come prepared to roll up your sleeves and dig in! Click here for more info. To see the draft schedule, click here.
Solar-powered Moorit Hill Farm & Fiber is home to a small-scale fiber mill, a flock of Icelandic sheep, gorgeous pasture, laying hens, and two adorable livestock guardian dogs. Owners/operators Elizabeth and Josh started Moorit Hill with just 4 sheep in 2017, and have continued to expand their flock, as well as their sustainable agriculture and fiber […]
*This is the fifth in a series of 9 classes. Registration price covers the whole series. **Registration is free for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members and participants in the MOFGA Journeyperson Program. Join Master Beekeeper Karen Thurlow for our first-ever foray into beekeeping through the seasons. From getting hives going in […]
NEW DATE! Our August 9 tour has been rescheduled to August 16 due to rain. Come visit (or re-visit) Alice's off-grid, low-key homestead, featuring a tiny cabin and gorgeous gardens. Ask questions about living small, keeping things simple, and adapting to changing life circumstances and visions over time. Alice held a "beginner homestead" Gather & Grow tour […]
*Free for Journeyperson program participants and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Scholarship application for anyone interested is available here. This workshop is an introduction to the practices involved in growing nursery stock, like apple and other fruit seedling trees. The focus will be on bud grafting, which involves grafting a growth bud onto rootstock in […]
*This event is free for participants in MOFGA's Journeyperson program, as well as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members.Learn to dye fabrics with locally foraged plant materials in this introductory natural dyeing workshop, open to new and experienced dyers alike. Participants will tie-dye cotton bandanas with goldenrod and experiment with wool yarn […]
*This is the sixth in a series of 9 classes. Registration price covers the whole series. **Registration is free for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members and participants in the MOFGA Journeyperson Program. Join Master Beekeeper Karen Thurlow for our first-ever foray into beekeeping through the seasons. From getting hives going in […]
Alan Day Community Garden (ADCG) is home to bountiful veggie gardens, tended to by community members, as well as to a community food forest project. At 1 pm, join Scott Vlaun from the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy in Norway for a tour of ADCG, with a specific focus on the food forest. Learn about the […]
Visit a sweet homestead boasting food forest-inspired fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, and topiary in Mt. Vernon, Maine. Greg and Debbie grow cherries, mulberries, apples, elderberries, chestnuts, hazelnuts, and more. This is a perfect opportunity for those interested in homesteading, having fun with topiary, propagating trees, and/or cultivating fruits and nuts -- especially those less commonly grown in Maine. Learn about Greg's transition […]
Please join us to tour a small hobby urban garden. We'll explore a number of ongoing experiments as well as tried and true techniques. Expect to chat about vertical systems, year-round growing, biochar, earthen flooring and automating rain barrels as well as espaliers, edibles and native mixes. We will explain our adapted greenhouse and adapted […]
We hope you'll join us for our next Gardening Q&A! Whether you've been gardening for decades or you're daydreaming about starting your first garden this year (or somewhere in between), these informal Zoom conversations are a chance to discuss whatever gardening topics are on your mind. Bring your questions for a casual conversation and a […]
Learn about native plants that will help pollinators feel at home in your garden, via this weeknight webinar with Ivonne Vazquez of Bas Rouge Farm & Forge. Participants will learn about plants native to their region in Maine; how gardeners can attract pollinator species by stewarding native plants; and get tips on some native plants that would be […]
*This is the seventh in a series of 9 classes. Registration price covers the whole series. **Registration is free for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members and participants in the MOFGA Journeyperson Program. Join Master Beekeeper Karen Thurlow for our first-ever foray into beekeeping through the seasons. From getting hives going in […]
Join MOFGA and the Ecology Learning Center for a screening of “Seeds of Change,” a film that chronicles the intersecting stories of lifelong farmer Mark McBrine and several incarcerated men as they grow their own food in a 5-acre prison garden. An organic farmer in Maine sets out to transform the prison food system. Filmed over […]
The Common Ground Country Fair will be held at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine on September 20, 21, and 22, 2024. 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 […]
Aprenda sobre las plantas nativas que ayudarán a los polinizadores en su jardín, en este seminario web entre semana con Ivonne Vazquez de Bas Rouge Farm & Forge. Participantes aprenderán sobre plantas nativas de su región en Maine y cómo los jardineros pueden atraer especies polinizadoras cuidando las plantas nativas. También, obtenga consejos sobre algunas […]
Esta clase ha sido cancelada debido a circunstancias atenuantes. Si quieren recursos de este tema, pueden enviar un correo electrónico a [email protected]. ¿Quieres crecer más verduras durante los meses fríos? Participe en este webinar sobre extendiendo la temporada de jardinería. Con Ivonne Vazquez de Bas Rouge Farm & Forge, aprenderan acerca de usar cubierta de fila; […]
Learn to preserve the bounty and bold flavors of summer by mixing fruit and peppers in your jams in this early fall workshop. Participants will learn the basics of making delicious jams -- including safe and sanitary jarring practices -- and work together on making fruit + hot pepper jams to take home. Each participant will walk […]
*Registration for this workshop is full. To join the waitlist, please email [email protected] Emily Springer of Meeting House Farm – a MOFGA-certified organic herb farm in Scarborough, Maine – to learn about the history and art of blending tea/tisane. Meeting House Farm grows organic herbs for Infusion Herb Co., a local producer of organic herbal products.Using locally-sourced herbs, […]
*This is the eighth in a series of 9 classes. Registration price covers the whole series.**Registration is free for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members and participants in the MOFGA Journeyperson Program.Join Master Beekeeper Karen Thurlow for our first-ever foray into beekeeping through the seasons. From getting hives going in March to […]
As the growing season comes to a close, spend an evening with Ivonne Vazquez of Bas Rouge Farm & Forge for this webinar on garden clean-up. Participants will receive guidance on how to clean up their gardens, while accounting for aesthetics, sustainability, and next year's growth. This webinar will include a Q&A section.This webinar will be recorded; and the […]
Have fun with fermenting in this hands-on workshop, wherein participants will turn the season's harvest into delicious kimchi, kraut, and takuan. Instructor Rich Lee of Tendersoles Farm will teach participants about these particular types of ferments; guide participants through collaboratively making kimchi, kraut, and takuan; and discuss the various steps in the fermentation process. Participants will walk away […]
This event will take place at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center in Unity, ME with a mix of outdoor and indoor activities. Donations gratefully accepted at the door to support this and other MOFGA programming.Fall fruit season is here! Join us at MOFGA for a celebration of apples & other delicious tree fruit!The day’s offerings […]
In this follow-up to The Art of Blending Tea on October 9, participants will learn about blending teas/tisanes for medicinal purposes. Learn from Emily Springer of Meeting House Farm – a MOFGA certified organic farm in Scarborough, Maine. Meeting House Farm grows organic herbs for Infusion Herb Co., a local producer of organic herbal products. This class will focus on the medicinal […]
*This is the final class in a series of 9 classes. Registration price covers the whole series.Join Master Beekeeper Karen Thurlow for our first-ever foray into beekeeping through the seasons. From getting hives going in March to feeding and putting them to rest in November: this series will trace the shifting activities, challenges, and hive […]
What does it mean to practice biology as a feminist? To grapple with the colonial and racist histories of modern plant sciences? To move toward a feminist, decolonial botany? Explore these questions with Dr. Banu Subramaniam: Luella LaMer Professor of Women's and Gender Studies at Wellesley College, plant evolutionary biologist, and author of Botany of Empire: Plant Worlds and […]
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 […]
Learn to sustainably forage white pine needles, and to make salve with your harvest in this evening workshop led by Emily Springer of Meeting House Farm, and organized by The Ecology School & MOFGA.The class will focus on the herbal benefits of white pine for skin, as well as how to make a salve from infused white pine oil. […]
*The snow date for this event is December 13.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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
Are you curious about adapting your garden to the changing climate? Learn about how climate change affects how we grow in Maine, and how gardeners can adapt their gardening practices to mitigate the effects of climate change on their harvest while supporting their local ecosystem. In this webinar, Sean Birkel, Maine State Climatologist and Research […]
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 […]
We hope you'll join us for our first Gardening Q&A of 2025! Whether you've been gardening for decades or you're daydreaming about starting your first garden this year (or somewhere in between), these informal Zoom conversations are a chance to discuss whatever gardening topics are on your mind. Bring your questions for a casual conversation 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 […]
This event is hosted by UMaine Cooperative Extension.Sean Birkel, Assistant Professor and Maine State Climatologist, and Rebecca Long, Coordinator of Horticulture Training Programs for UMaine Cooperative Extension, will discuss climate change in Maine, impacts important to your garden and explore how to make your garden more resilient. This webinar will lay the groundwork for the […]
Speaker: Caleb Goossen, Crop and Conservation Specialist, MOFGAThis class is held online via Zoom.REGISTER HERELearn an organic approach to insect and disease management with an overview of IPM practices. Caleb will discuss common and newly-emerging pests and diseases in Maine and share management strategies, including cultural methods.1 Pesticide Credit
This event is hosted by the UMaine Cooperative Extension.In this webinar, participants will learn about the interdependence of pollinators, plants, and the environment. We will cover what participants can observe in their own backyards and actions everyone can take to create resilient backyard habitat for pollinators now and in the future.Please note: This webinar will […]
Are you curious about adapting your garden to the changing climate? In this webinar, learn some key climate adaptation strategies for gardeners that will help you grow successful veggie and fruit crops while supporting your local ecosystem. Meg Mitchell, MOFGA's Climate Smart and Organic Transition Specialist, and C.J. Walke, MOFGA's Orchard Program Manager, will offer their […]
This event is held by the Southern Aroostook Soil & Water Conservation District, as a part of their Winter Ag School.Speaker: Daniel Mays, Frith Farm and author of "The No-Till Organic Vegetable Farm"Two options for viewing the class:1. Online via Zoom – REGISTER HERE2. Group viewing of online class in the library at Houlton High […]
*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 […]
This event is held by the UMaine Cooperative Extension.Here in Maine we’re now dealing with more periods of intense heat, prolonged drought, dramatic rain, and a slew of pests and diseases. How do we stay sane, prepare our gardens for success, and bounce back from the inevitable challenges? This workshop will cover a variety of […]
About the class:Grow Your Own Organic Garden covers all the basics of organic gardening — such as supporting soil and plant health, starting seeds indoors and outdoors, interplanting, pest management, watering, and harvesting. Participants will have plenty of time to ask questions and connect with one another about shared experiences in their gardening journeys so […]
*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 […]
Herbaceous perennial plants are an important part of home gardens. They provide food for wildlife and pollinators and provide interesting flowers and forms that change throughout the year. As perennials and long-term plants in the garden, they can be susceptible to changes in climate, including fluctuations in temperature, rainfall, and snowfall. Stephanie will discuss things […]
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, […]
*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 […]
*This event has been cancelled due to low registration. If you would like to take the class at the Augusta location on April 30, click here.About the class:Grow Your Own Organic Garden covers all the basics of organic gardening — such as supporting soil and plant health, starting seeds indoors and outdoors, interplanting, pest management, […]
Are you curious about adapting your garden to the changing climate?In this webinar, learn some key climate adaptation strategies for gardeners to help your native plants and ornamentals thrive; as well as how what you choose to grow can support your local ecosystem and preservation efforts amid climate change. Learn from Emily Baisden, Wild Seed […]
About the class:Grow Your Own Organic Garden covers all the basics of organic gardening — such as supporting soil and plant health, starting seeds indoors and outdoors, interplanting, pest management, watering, and harvesting. Participants will have plenty of time to ask questions and connect with one another about shared experiences in their gardening journeys so […]
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