This is an informative, casual opportunity to connect and learn about sound breeding principles for many breeds and management styles. An approved analyzer from aAa Weeks will give a brief presentation on aAa Analysis and analyze the Wolfe's Neck Dairy herd. Different breeds and age groups will be present to provide a variety of examples. The analysis […]
Increasingly employees entering the Maine job market are also in need of housing. Offering a housing option can help to keep a dairy farm competitive in the job market as well as increase the value of the overall real estate, and potentially, allow a diversification in one’s business model. Melissa Harvey, state equal opportunity officer […]
Matt Dow of Sweetland Farm in Albion has worked extensively on land he purchased in 2017 to boost fertility and increase yields. Faced with challenging markets, and the costs of starting a dairy, Dow has worked to find cost-effective ways to achieve his land fertility goals. Please join us for a field walk and conversation […]
MOFGA’s Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops are designed for apprentices, Journeypeople, farmworkers and other beginning farmers. They follow an informal format including a farm tour and conversation on the topic of the day. All events are free but require registration.Knowing proper handling and first-aid techniques can save lots of money and grief when raising livestock […]
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 […]
Spencer Aitel of Two Loons Farm has been growing a small amount of organic grains for years. He has many tips and tricks for both planting and harvest of immature forages and fully mature grain crops. Please join us for a tour of his current planting and to ask questions around all aspects of organic […]
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 […]
*Registration is free for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members, as well as members of the MOFGA Journeyperson program.Join Jacki Martinez Perkins, MOFGA’s Dairy & Livestock Specialist, to learn how to safely and humanely process chickens at the home or small farm scale. In this hands-on workshop, participants will be involved in each […]
MOFGA’s Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops are designed for apprentices, Journeypeople, farmworkers and other beginning farmers. They follow an informal format including a farm tour and conversation on the topic of the day. All events are free but require registration.Rainbow Farm is a diversified pasture based farm specializing in poultry including layers, broilers and turkeys. […]
The Dostie Farm and their family have generations of knowledge on feeding dairy cows, and the equipment to harvest and store high quality fermented forages, including high moisture ear corn, which can be valuable in helping to balance rations looking to move away from imported concentrates. While they no longer milk cows, they have maintained […]
If you're planning to welcome a small group of into your life, you'll want to be prepared! Join us for this introductory workshop on small-scale shepherding, with MOFGA’s Organic Dairy & Livestock Specialist, Jacki Martinez Perkins. This hands-on workshop will cover topics such as: ensuring appropriate space and resources for your flock; grazing; herding; seasonal care tasks; troubleshooting […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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, […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
*This workshop has reached capacity. To be added to the waitlist, please email [email protected] you're grazing livestock on pocket-sized pastures, join us to learn strategies for managing pasture health on homesteads with limited acreage. This workshop will take place at a small homestead, where pastures are managed on a tight rotational grazing plan. MOFGA's Livestock & Dairy Specialist, Jacki […]
This event has sold out. To be added to the waitlist, please email [email protected] the art of cheese making from Jean Koons, from Kennebec Cheesery in this evening workshop! This workshop will begin with an introduction to the history of cheesemaking, dairy cultures, and sanitation practices. Jean will then talk through the process of making yoghurt and cheeses while attendees participate […]
*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, […]
