As the growing season continues, gardeners both new and experienced may have questions about their crops. Whether you have a challenge with a pest, are wondering about watering, or have some other garden quandary we would love to help think through solutions.Join us for these informal conversation via Zoom to help answer your questions and […]
Join us electronically to kick off the farming season. You will receive an overview of MOFGA’s educational programs and support resources available to apprentices, farm workers and new farmers. Most importantly, it’s a great chance to start meeting apprentices and farm workers from other farms across the state. We look forward to seeing you there! […]
Join MOFGA's Orchard Coordinator, Laura Sieger, for an online presentation about the holistic approaches to orchard care that she and others use at the Maine Heritage Orchard in Unity. These techniques involve the use of organic sprays and amendments, and these approaches are generally a bit more intensive than low-intervention approaches. This session is aimed […]
June 12 – Saturday, Two identical Sessions 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:00-4:30 p.m. Whitney Woodlot, Gray. $25/$20 MOFGA and MWO Members This half-day field course taught by foresters, soil scientists, and experienced landowners, serves as a great introduction to the basics of forest ecology and active stewardship. While touring a recently harvested woodlot owned by […]
June 12 – Saturday, Two identical Sessions 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1:00-4:30 p.m. Whitney Woodlot, Gray. $25/$20 MOFGA and MWO Members This half-day field course taught by foresters, soil scientists, and experienced landowners, serves as a great introduction to the basics of forest ecology and active stewardship. While touring a recently harvested woodlot owned by […]
This workshop 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. Limited to 20 people.REGISTER HEREMOFGA’s Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops are designed for apprentices, farmworkers […]
Worm composting, or vermiculture, makes the world a better place by keeping food scraps out of the solid-waste system and producing fertilizer for plants, indoors and out. Jock Robie has been instructing workshops on how to build a worm bin and how to compost with worms for many years. Join us for this hands on […]
John Twomey and Leigh Norcott have maintained bluebird boxes at their home in Montville for many years. Most years, all of their boxes are occupied by bluebirds, tree swallows or chickadees. Over the past ten years Twomey and Norcott have taught bird box workshops for Aldermere Farm, MOFGA, the Ecology Learning Center, the Midcoast Conservancy, […]
Join MOFGA's Crop Specialist Caleb Goossen for a discussion on plant disease in the garden. Caleb will start by sharing strategies used to minimize the presence of disease from the outset. But we all know that sometimes diseases show up anyway, despite our best efforts or during particularly challenging growing seasons. So Caleb will also discuss what […]
Throughout the COVID pandemic, migrant dairy farmworkers have continued to work day in and day out to produce the milk and dairy products that line supermarket shelves. Yet, there are still many workers who do not have access to decent housing and a dignified workplace on the farms where they work. The Milk with Dignity […]
Free. (Donation optional.)Cows are incredible creatures and might fit in perfectly on your homestead, providing you and your family with high quality, delicious milk for making butter, ice cream, yogurt and more. But it's important to be prepared for what a milking cow requires from you before you take the plunge.Join Jacki Martinez Perkins of MOFGA for this […]
Food dehydration is a simple technique that involves removing water in foods in order to preserve them. However, it also concentrates flavor and results in tasty foods that can be eaten by themselves or used in all kinds of recipes! Dried foods are also nutritious, lightweight, and easy to store and use. Learn best practices […]
Join us for a virtual tour of Pine Root Farm and Seek-No-Further Farmstead, two farms with dedicated models to ensure their fresh produce is accessible to Mainers of all incomes. Sliding scale CSA models, EBT processing and Senior FarmShare will be discussed. REGISTER HERE MOFGA’s Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops are designed for apprentices, farmworkers […]
This event is free (Donation optional.) Composting transforms food waste from our kitchens into a substance (compost!) with a full spectrum of nutrients, lots of organic matter, and microorganisms that benefit soil. Adding compost to our gardens has many benefits, from improving soil structure to helping it retain water. It's a gardener's best friend! Indoor […]
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 farmstand, flower subscriptions and wholesale. Please park at public parking across the street from the farm, 1 minute away. Limited to 20 people.REGISTER HEREMOFGA’s Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops […]
How is your garden growing this season? If you have questions about anything you're noticing in your garden, we'd be happy to help answer them at this Gardening Q&A! Free and open to everyone whether you're just starting your first garden or you've been gardening for years, we'll cover whatever topics are on your mind - […]
Goranson Farm utilizes a diverse array of irrigation systems including drip, overhead rain birds, hose reels, and 3''-6'' pumps to meet crop and farm needs. They look forward to sharing their strategies for each system. Over the years NRCS irrigation projects have included wells, a recently completed in-ground hydrant system, and pump purchases. Parking: In […]
Laura is a longtime MOFGA member, and at her homestead in Dixmont she manages her small, young orchard organically. On this tour, we'll explore the orchard as well as her gardens - a vegetable patch and an herb garden which focuses on both culinary uses and pollinators.Her homestead includes a small woodlot with nearby wetlands. Join […]
Join Joshua Girard and staff from MOFGA Certification Services to discuss the basics of certifying your operation and products as organic according to the USDA National Organic Program standards. Topics will include the application process, review of the Organic System Plan, annual onsite inspections, the federal cost-share rebate program, and compliant record keeping systems. Girard […]
How late can I keep the harvest coming in during the fall months? How can I start growing (and eating) garden produce earlier in the season? We hear these questions from gardeners frequently! In this webinar MOFGA's Crop Specialist Caleb Goossen will talk strategies for growing on the shoulder seasons. He'll share practical approaches to […]
THIS EVENT IS FULLAfter gardening for 20+ years in the woods of central Maine, Dawn moved south to Portland, where she is now growing under an entirely new set of conditions. For the past four years, she has been designing and growing an integrated vegetable and flower garden in her urban front yard. Inspired by Rosamund […]
Co-sponsored by Morning Glory Farm and MOFGA.Fee: $160; $130 for MOFGA members. All meals included, as well as optional camping on-site. Other accommodation options are available in nearby Bethel.Learn to build a cob oven at beautiful Morning Glory Farm in Bethel, Maine! Wood fired earth ovens make it possible to bake incredible crusty breads and pizzas […]
Join members of the Johnny’s team on a tour of their Albion farm fields, with discussion to follow. Collin Thompson, the farm manager, will present on the farming practices implemented at Johnny's research farm, with an emphasis on those used to maintain good soil health. Dr. Lindsay Wyatt will discuss her work breeding squash and […]
Join us for a tour of a permaculture homestead designed and built by Jesse Watson of Midcoast Permaculture Design. Jesse's tour will highlight the joys of eating wild meadow plants, his pollinator gardens, water catchment systems and the aesthetic of woodland and meadow ecosystems that he evokes in his spaces. We'll also take a look […]
Online How is your garden growing this season? If you have questions about anything you're noticing in your garden, we'd be happy to help answer them at this Gardening Q&A! Free and open to everyone whether you're just starting your first garden or you've been gardening for years, we'll cover whatever topics are on your […]
Lakes Environmental Association, Bridgton, ME 8 a.m.-4 p.m each day $200 | $150 for MOFGA members (All women participants with 2 female and 1 male instructor) Course Details: This introductory two-day in-person field course is suitable for new or beginning chainsaw operators. Topics to be covered include personal protective equipment (PPE), saw operation and maintenance, […]
This in-person workshop will be held at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center.$75; $60 for MOFGA members (includes silk scarf & printed materials.)Join this hands-on workshop for an introduction to the world of natural dyeing using plant pigments! Indigenous peoples have been dyeing cloth, baskets and other objects for many generations. Many plants and trees growing […]
Co-hosted by MOFGA and the South Portland Land Trust.Do you want to improve the health of your lawn and gardens organically, but don't know where to start? This webinar is for you! Learn the basics of organic lawn and landscape management from organic landscaping professional Chip Osborne. He'll explain how to build healthy, living soil […]
Last year, during the drought, Caleb Stoll was among a small handful of livestock producers to buy irrigation systems for their pastures. Join us for a discussion with Caleb, and first hand look, at how pasture irrigation differs from drip irrigation in a vegetable production system, the advantages during drought, and the resiliency it can […]
Common Ground Education Center, Unity, Maine.$100; $75 MOFGA members.Learn the basic skills needed to safely use a winch-equipped farm tractor in the woods. This beginner-level course will cover basic tractor and winch operation, building hitches, skid trail layout, landing management and techniques to limit residual stand damage. The course will not include hands-on tree felling […]
Finding a place and resources to farm can be a huge challenge. Whether you’re working as a farmhand, manager or apprentice, it is never too soon to consider your options. Abby Sadauckas, field agent for Land For Good and farmer at Apple Creek Farm, will help you brainstorm about your future farm, the land base […]
POSTPONED TO SEPTEMBER 10 Join us on a tour to see how Ben Marcus & Taryn Hammer, of Sheepscot General Farm & Store, grow CBD hemp organically. We will discuss the emerging market of hemp production from marketing strategies including pick your own to general production practices. In addition to the tour, Gary Fish and […]
If you are interested in attending 2025's Mycology Outside, click here. Presented by The Ecology School, North Spore and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.Join us for Mycology Outside, a weekend of learning all about mushrooms! This event will take place at River Bend Farm, home of The Ecology School, in Saco, Maine. Workshops […]
Join MOFGA and BTLT for a walk through the woods at Crystal Spring Farm guided by Steve Pellitier, a Certified Wildlife Biologist, Professional Wetland Scientist, and licensed Forester with over 25 years of professional experience to learn about forest management practices centered around carbon. You’ll learn the basics of carbon storage and sequestration, ways that […]
Join The Milkhouse crew in Monmouth for a farm tour to learn about organic forage production and grazing management of cows and sheep. We'll give an introduction to dairy farming and talk about on-farm processing of dairy products as well as raising hogs. Limited to 20 people.REGISTER HEREMOFGA’s Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops are designed […]
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 […]
A discussion about root cellars with a friendly panel of experts from the MOFGA community.Root cellars can take many forms - a room in a basement, a separate building, a bulkhead or even built into a hillside! - but they're all great ways to store vegetables through the winter with relatively little effort or energy. […]
Connor and Alexis MacDonald of Bo'Lait Farm have been operating their organic dairy since 2013. Recently, they've worked to reclaim and rejuvenate some of their pastures using various different techniques. Join us for a tour of these fields, and the opportunity to ask questions about what worked well, and what they would choose to do […]
This event is being offered on a sliding scale of $15-$45; please pay what you are able.Often overlooked, nuts are a high energy and nutritious food source that have a long shelf life, making nut trees valuable assets on a farm or homestead. Join Jesse Stevens (owner/operator of a tree nursery in Norway, Maine, and […]
Jake Bragg, of Rainbow Valley Farm, didn't want to spend all his energy fencing. He decided to invest in a better kind of fence post to allow himself some peace of mind around infrastructure costs and injuries to cattle. Join us for this pasture walk to discuss the practical application of this kind of fencing, […]
Common Ground Education Center, Unity. Join conservation biologist Aleta McKeage for a tour of the MOFGA forest in Unity. We’ll explore the impacts of non-native plants on forest ecology and regeneration, discuss the challenges and opportunities of controlling invasive plants without the use of herbicides, and demo a variety of mechanical methods land stewards can […]
Celebrate the history, flavor and tradition of Maine Apples!Sponsored by MOFGA & Fedco TreesAdmission by optional donation, at the door.Join us outside at MOFGA for a day of celebration and community. Take a guided tour of the orchards or attend a workshop, participate in cider pressing or trade perennial plants at our plant swap.Come see […]
MOFGA is delighted to offer our first in-person workshop at The Maine Organic Marketplace in Freeport!Emily Springer of Meeting House Farm - a MOFGA certified organic farm in Scarborough, Maine - will lead us for this exciting new workshop. Meeting House Farm grows organic herbs for Infusion Herb Co., a local producer of organic herbal […]
On November 2nd, Question 3 will be on the ballot statewide, giving Mainers the opportunity to vote on whether to enshrine a Right to Food in Maine's Constitution.MOFGA supports Question 3, and we invite you to join us for a conversation featuring leaders of the Yes on 3 Campaign to learn more about it. MOFGA […]
November 1-5, 2021, Monday, Wednesday and FridayVirtual Zoom SessionsNovember 6, 2021, SaturdayVirtual Zoom Intensive: Carbon Farming, aka Soil Carbon Sequestration November 7, 2021, SundayIn-Person Farm Tours and GatheringsAbout the ConferenceMOFGA’s Farmer to Farmer Conference is known for its intimacy, in-depth treatment of topics and profound discussions. The conference offerings are based on the idea that farmers […]
The organic farming revolution that has swept the country over the past decades can trace much of its origins to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, which is celebrating fifty years in 2021. Reviewing the journey in organic farming of the past half-century and looking forward to new challenges and opportunities, The Organic Farming […]
We will be preparing perennial beds and planting bulbs in the Maine Heritage Orchard. Please bring: lunch, water bottle, shovel, work gloves, mask, wheelbarrow (if you have one), knee pads and bulb planting tool or other trowel. We will have extra tools to use if you don't bring your own! ***Please note- masks are required […]
$65 general admisssion; $55 for MOFGA membersBraiding is a great way to prepare garlic to be stored all winter long, hanging from the rafters in your kitchen where you can use it daily. We're excited to host Carole Mapes of Flywheel Flowers who will be teaching us how to braid (and decorate) home grown soft […]
Make Your Own Festive Wreath with organic balsam fir greens!Join Celebration Tree Farm & Wellness Center to learn how to make your own wreath. We'll provide organic balsam fir greens harvested from the forest in Durham, along with dried flowers from Wolfes Neck Farm, pine cones, and ribbons. You'll leave with your own beautiful handmade […]
Online. $25; $15 for MOFGA members; free for those in MOFGA's Journeyperson program, veterans & BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) participants. MOFGA's Kitchen Licensing workshop is back for our winter workshop! This workshop is designed for farmers and aspiring small business operators interested in food processing for resale. We will begin with presentations from Beth Calder of UMaine Cooperative […]
Make Your Own Festive Wreath with organic balsam fir greens!Join Celebration Tree Farm & Wellness Center to learn how to make your own wreath. We’ll provide organic balsam fir greens harvested from the forest in Durham, along with dried flowers from Wolfes Neck Farm, pine cones, and ribbons. You’ll leave with your own beautiful handmade […]
This is a 3 day training (December 6, 8 and 10 from 9 am - 12 pm each day) led by Wabanaki REACH for farmers. This training is offered on a sliding scale from $0-$50, with a suggested registration fee of $30. The training will cover past and current experiences of Wabanaki tribal communities, explorations […]
This is an online event.Join Sally Stockwell of Maine Audubon and Allyssa Gregory from the Maine Forest Service for a presentation on how to manage your woodland to enhance habitat for birds and other wildlife. We will discuss the importance of Maine forestlands for breeding birds, brook trout, and other wildlife; introduce you to 20 priority birds and […]
What lessons can we learn from the pandemic that will help us better support Maine’s farmers and local food system?In 2021, CDI, CEI, MFT and MOFGA joined forces to survey how Maine’s food system is being impacted by COVID-19. While the pandemic is not yet over, and it’s too soon to draw conclusions about long-term […]
Free (Donation optional.) It may seem early to start thinking about next spring's vegetable garden - but now is the perfect time to do so! While we love saving seeds & encouraging others to do so, we also love perusing seed catalogues, dreaming about new things to try growing. With interest in gardening on the […]
Ryan Fitzbeauchamp of Evening Song Farm in Shrewsbury, VT will share their farm's experience integrating high residue no-till production into their farm's four acres of cropped land. This approach has helped Evening Song Farm reduce risk of erosion, grow more high-residue cover crops, improve soil structure, and effectively manage annual weeds. Ryan will share a […]
This workshop is being offered in-person, at MOFGA's new store, the Maine Organic Marketplace in Freeport, Maine. $50 general admission; $45 for MOFGA members.This hands on workshop is part II of the “Art of Blending Tea,” which was offered on October 28th.Are you interested in supporting your health and that of your family with home […]
$70, $60 for MOFGA members.As the colder weather hits and we're drawn indoors it's a great time to craft beautiful things to help keep our spirits high through the winter!Dried flowers make long-lasting wreaths - great for the holidays and beyond. Carole Mapes of Flywheel Flowers will be teaching this class. If you have saved […]
Join MOFGA Executive Director, Sarah Alexander, Board President, Stacy Brenner and Communications and Outreach Director, Katy Green for an overview of MOFGA's current social justice and equity work and an update on what's to come. Webinar participants will be able to submit questions in writing using the webinar chat, or may choose to submit questions […]
Pregnancy and the demands of birthing and lactating for livestock come with special challenges around feed changes, monitoring for issues, and supportive care to maintain healthy dams and their young. In this webinar, Jacki Martinez-Perkins, MOFGA's Livestock and Dairy Specialist, will discuss some of the most important mineral balances and energy requirements for each stage […]
Join Isabel Stearns, the fiber artist behind The Felted Acorns, for a hands-on needle felting workshop! This class will be held in a small group setting (limit: 10 people) inside MOFGA's store, the Maine Organic Marketplace, in Freeport, Maine.Needle felting involves rolling up a small amount of wool roving and poking it with a special […]
Join the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the National Agriculture Apprenticeship Learning Network for a virtual 5 part labor management series designed for farmers that employ workers or host apprentices. This series centers farm workers' stories and guides farm managers through crucial aspects of managing including communication, building inclusive workplace cultures, and empowering […]
Do you have any crop related or business and marketing questions? Would you like to hear more about MOFGA's educational programs? Stop on in any time between 9 am and 11 am to meet with one or more various Farmer Programs staff members. No pre-registration required: https://mofga.zoom.us/j/89582309633
This grant writing workshop for farmers, led by MOFGA’s own Grants Manager, Karen Stimpson (who thinks she’s written at least a thousand grant proposals during her time with non-profits), will cover everything a grower should know about grants available and how to get them! The workshop covers grants basics, grant resources and research, preparation for […]
Join staff from MOFGA Certification Services as we discuss the basics of certifying your operation as organic to the USDA National Organic Program standards and answer your certification questions. Topics will include the application process, review of the Organic System Plan (OSP), the Federal Cost Share Rebate program, and the Materials Review process among others.No […]
Please join us for MOFGA’s annual meeting on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 7 p.m. held online via Zoom. At the annual meeting, you’ll hear reports from board members and MOFGA’s executive director on our impact during 2021 and plans for 2022 and also hear from MOFGA farmers and community members about their challenges and successes […]
Produce Farmers Are Food Handlers! Let’s do it safely and effectively.Whether your primary goal is to establish or improve produce safety practices on your farm or to pass a food safety audit, a written food safety plan is a critical and helpful business tool. A food safety plan, written specifically for your farm, provides a […]
The research farm at Johnny’s Selected Seeds manages ten different farm sites, requiring a diverse approach to irrigation and water storage/distribution. Farm Manager Collin Thompson will discuss how Johnny’s has worked to build irrigation capacity at each of its sites using a mix of groundwater, surface water, and stored water. He will also touch on […]
In partnership with Curtis Memorial Library, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is celebrating the recent release of its 50th anniversary book, “The Organic Farming Revolution: Past, Present and Future.” Join us for Reflections on Homesteading in Maine, an evening with contributing writers Karyn Lie-Nielsen and Kirsten Lie-Nielsen. Facilitated by MOFGA’s executive director, Sarah […]
Join the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the National Agriculture Apprenticeship Learning Network for a virtual 5 part labor management series designed for farmers that employ workers or host apprentices. This series centers farm workers' stories and guides farm managers through crucial aspects of managing including communication, building inclusive workplace cultures, and empowering […]
Using social media can be a valuable and cost effective way to drive business for your farm—join this workshop to pick up some communications tips and have an opportunity to ask questions regarding your farm's online presence. During this workshop, Bilal Sarwari will invite you to consider general guidelines when building out your farm's social […]
Produce Farmers Are Food Handlers! Let’s do it safely and effectively.Whether your primary goal is to establish or improve produce safety practices on your farm or to pass a food safety audit, a written food safety plan is a critical and helpful business tool. A food safety plan, written specifically for your farm, provides a […]
Join Jacki Martinez Perkins of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Dr. Glenda Pereira of University of Maine Extension, and Dr. Amy McGee-White DVM and Mitchell White for a 3-part reproductive health and genetic management series designed for livestock farmers to better manage and maintain their herds and flocks. Lunch is included in the registration […]
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, in partnership with Eastern Woodlands Rematriation, is pleased to present an evening of film and discussion. Please join us virtually Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at 5 p.m. for a screening of the 2021 film “Food for the Rest of Us,” a feature-length documentary by Copper Quartz Media. Following […]
This is a 3 part webinar series with sessions taking place on: January 30th, February 6th, & February 13th from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.This series has been priced on a sliding scale of $40-$100 for all three events.There are so many reasons to keep honeybees - from supporting pollinators & healthy ecosystems, to getting to […]
Join Ethan Tapper, the Chittenden County Forester with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation for a discussion about old forests in the Northeast. We’ll explore what old forests look like (it may surprise you!), why they should be important to us, and how we can actively manage existing forests to become more like […]
Produce Farmers Are Food Handlers! Let’s do it safely and effectively.Whether your primary goal is to establish or improve produce safety practices on your farm or to pass a food safety audit, a written food safety plan is a critical and helpful business tool. A food safety plan, written specifically for your farm, provides a […]
Join Tamiko Ambrose Murray (Ambrose Consulting) and Marisol Jimenez (Tepayac Consulting) to engage in a liberatory approach to racial equity. This workshop series is designed to invite farmers to develop a foundational understanding of racial equity work; to strengthen their community engagement approaches; and to deepen their leadership practices to advance racial equity efforts. The four […]
Join us for our first Gardening Q&A of the new year! As you dream through your seed catalogs and begin to map out your plans for the year, we'd love to chat with you about any questions on your mind to help you get set up for a great growing season. This is a free, informal […]
Join the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the National Agriculture Apprenticeship Learning Network for a virtual 5 part labor management series designed for farmers that employ workers or host apprentices. This series centers farm workers' stories and guides farm managers through crucial aspects of managing including communication, building inclusive workplace cultures, and empowering […]
Join University of Maine Extension Professional Jason Lilley to learn everything you need to know about making your own maple syrup, including identifying and tapping trees, collecting and boiling sap, as well as filtering, grading, and canning syrup. Jason will focus on homestead-scale systems that require a limited initial investment in equipment. Designed for beginners.REGISTER
Produce Farmers Are Food Handlers! Let’s do it safely and effectively.Whether your primary goal is to establish or improve produce safety practices on your farm or to pass a food safety audit, a written food safety plan is a critical and helpful business tool. A food safety plan, written specifically for your farm, provides a […]
This event is being offered on a sliding scale from $0-$25. Please pay what you are able!Come dream about summer flowers with us! We'll be joined by Carole Mapes, owner of Flywheel Flowers, for this primer on growing cut flowers. This webinar is aimed at gardeners who want to grow more flowers specifically for harvesting […]
Join Jacki Martinez Perkins of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Dr. Glenda Pereira of University of Maine Extension, and Dr. Amy McGee-White DVM and Mitchell White for a 3-part reproductive health and genetic management series designed for livestock farmers to better manage and maintain their herds and flocks. Lunch is included in the registration […]
Join MOFGA and Alex Redfield, Farm Viability and Farmland Protection Specialist at Maine DACF, to hear more about the policy objectives and goals of the AIIP grant opportunity to help inform your application. All signs indicate that these awards will be incredibly competitive, so bring ideas and questions to workshop to ensure your proposal is […]
Join the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the National Agriculture Apprenticeship Learning Network for a virtual 5 part labor management series designed for farmers that employ workers or host apprentices. This series centers farm workers' stories and guides farm managers through crucial aspects of managing including communication, building inclusive workplace cultures, and empowering […]
Produce Farmers Are Food Handlers! Let’s do it safely and effectively.Whether your primary goal is to establish or improve produce safety practices on your farm or to pass a food safety audit, a written food safety plan is a critical and helpful business tool. A food safety plan, written specifically for your farm, provides a […]
PFAS have been in the news a lot lately. This lunchtime conversation with MOFGA's Executive Director, Sarah Alexander and Organic Crops and Conservation Specialist, Caleb Goossen, will explore what we know now and help to answer your questions.The event is free, but registration is required.If you have specific topics or questions that you'd like us […]
Join Tamiko Ambrose Murray (Ambrose Consulting) and Marisol Jimenez (Tepayac Consulting) to engage in a liberatory approach to racial equity. This workshop series is designed to invite farmers to develop a foundational understanding of racial equity work; to strengthen their community engagement approaches; and to deepen their leadership practices to advance racial equity efforts. The […]
This event is priced on a sliding scale of $0-$15; please pay whatever you're able to.Some vegetables should always be planted outside in the ground, directly from seed (like carrots & radishes). But in our climate, other vegetables – like tomatoes, onions and Brussels sprouts – should be planted in pots or trays indoors, before […]
Produce Farmers Are Food Handlers! Let’s do it safely and effectively.Whether your primary goal is to establish or improve produce safety practices on your farm or to pass a food safety audit, a written food safety plan is a critical and helpful business tool. A food safety plan, written specifically for your farm, provides a […]
Fermentation is one of the oldest and most effective ways to preserve food. Not only does it expand the storage life of produce, making it possible to eat locally or home-grown food in the middle of winter, but it also enhances flavor and significantly boosts nutrition! This workshop is designed with total beginners in mind, […]
Join Jacki Martinez Perkins of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Dr. Glenda Pereira of University of Maine Extension, and Dr. Amy McGee-White DVM and Mitchell White for a 3-part reproductive health and genetic management series designed for livestock farmers to better manage and maintain their herds and flocks. Lunch is included in the registration […]
Join the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the National Agriculture Apprenticeship Learning Network for a virtual 5 part labor management series designed for farmers that employ workers or host apprentices. This series centers farm workers' stories and guides farm managers through crucial aspects of managing including communication, building inclusive workplace cultures, and empowering […]
This informational webinar will focus on the concerns and questions of Maine food buyers and retailers who are facing increasing interest and awareness from customers around the issue of PFAS, food safety, testing, and more. Join MOFGA’s Executive Director, Sarah Alexander and Organic Crops and Conservation Specialist, Caleb Goossen, who will explore what we know […]
Join Tamiko Ambrose Murray (Ambrose Consulting) and Marisol Jimenez (Tepayac Consulting) to engage in a liberatory approach to racial equity. This workshop series is designed to invite farmers to develop a foundational understanding of racial equity work; to strengthen their community engagement approaches; and to deepen their leadership practices to advance racial equity efforts. The […]
MOFGA Spring Growth Conference—March 5-6, 2022Soil Health WorkshopMarch 5, 2022 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., online.This interactive workshop will support farmer decision making about soil health and nutrient management. Growers will learn step-by-step tools to easily understand and interpret soil tests, calculate nutrients, and build a soil amendment plan. Growers will also have the opportunity […]
MOFGA Spring Growth Conference—March 5-6, 2022 Soil Health Workshop March 5, 2022 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., online. This interactive workshop will support farmer decision making about soil health and nutrient management. Growers will learn step-by-step tools to easily understand and interpret soil tests, calculate nutrients, and build a soil amendment plan. Growers will also […]
These workshops have been re-scheduled to Sunday, March 13th due to the forecasted winter storm.4 Locations:Unity, Springvale, Bethel, and Mount Desert Island.Fee: $45; $30 for MOFGA membersFree for Journeyperson program participants, veterans and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color)Scholarships available – apply here before February 18th.Learn to prune fruit trees to encourage vigorous growth, healthy fruit […]
$45, $30 for MOFGA members. Free for Journeyperson program participants, BIPOC registrants (Black, Indigenous People of Color) and veterans. Scholarships also available; apply here. This workshop is being offered in 3 other locations on March 19th, 2022; click here for more information. Do you have an old apple or pear tree on your property that […]
Join Joe Dembeck from the Somerset County Soil & Water Conservation District to learn about USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) cost-share programs available to provide financial support to woodland owners managing their land for timber quality, wildlife habitat and forest health. We’ll discuss both the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the new Conservation […]
Join Tamiko Ambrose Murray (Ambrose Consulting) and Marisol Jimenez (Tepayac Consulting) to engage in a liberatory approach to racial equity. This workshop series is designed to invite farmers to develop a foundational understanding of racial equity work; to strengthen their community engagement approaches; and to deepen their leadership practices to advance racial equity efforts. The […]
Tour the hobby-scale maple sugaring operation at Tessier's farm in Skowhegan. We'll see the Tessier's 50 bucket system, learn how they balance boiling with the rest of their farm operation and discuss how they designed and built their own flat pan evaporator.REGISTER HEREQuestions? Email [email protected]
Join Tamiko Ambrose Murray (Ambrose Consulting) and Marisol Jimenez (Tepayac Consulting) to engage in a liberatory approach to racial equity. This workshop series is designed to invite farmers to develop a foundational understanding of racial equity work; to strengthen their community engagement approaches; and to deepen their leadership practices to advance racial equity efforts. The […]
Join us for a relaxing evening of felting moisturizing bars of goat milk soap! Sarah Perkins of Ledgeway Farm will guide us through the age-old process of wet felting a full-sized bar of soap using roving wool. Felted soaps are not only beautiful to look at, but provide aromatherapy benefits and add antibacterial qualities to […]
$45, $30 for MOFGA members. Free for Journeyperson program participants, BIPOC registrants (Black, Indigenous People of Color) and Veterans. Scholarships also available; apply here before February 18th.Do you have an old apple or pear tree on your property that hasn’t been touched in years? These trees have an amazing capacity to produce beautiful fruit for […]
The Seed Swap and Scion Exchange is returning!This will be a unique version of this beloved event. We'll be mostly outdoors, so wear your woolies and come enjoy a warm drink, see old friends, meet new friends and bring home some scionwood for grafting and seeds for planting! We will also have pruning demos and […]
Please join us for learning and conversation about growing fruit trees, offered as an online complement to our annual Seed Swap and Scion Exchange! Both webinars are free but registration is required. For more info on the Seed Swap and Scion Exchange in general visit this page.Please join us for one or both! (Register once & receive […]
Please join us for learning and conversation about seeds & seed breeding, offered as an online complement to our annual Seed Swap and Scion Exchange! Both webinars are free but registration is required. For more info on the Seed Swap and Scion Exchange in general visit this page. Jack Kertesz, MOFGA's Landscape Coordinator, will be […]
Join us for this virtual workshop and learn to reproduce your favorite apple tree varieties! Bench grafting is a very cost-effective way to create (graft) new small trees for planting. Instructor Matt Kaminsky will explain why to graft and will demonstrate several different types of graft (whip and tongue, bark, and z-grafting). We encourage you […]
Join for a special apple talk with apple expert John Bunker as Manoff Market Cidery in New Hope, Pennsylvania opens for the season. The cidery will be open for tastings and bottle purchases. A speaking program will be followed by an opportunity for book signing and apple IDing by John. John Bunker is an orchardist, gardener, […]
Join us for a special apple evening with apple expert John Bunker and fruit explorer artist William Mullan. A short speaking program and cider tastings from our wonderful friends and sponsors (Westwind Orchard, Finger Lakes Cider House, Black Diamond Cider, and Eve’s Cidery) will be followed by an opportunity for book and calendar signing.John Bunker […]
Join us for this annual MOFGA event to learn the basics of organic gardening. We'll talk about some soil science basics, composting, crop rotation, green manures, weed management, and more.This is a great event to join if you're planning your first garden this season, or if you've been growing for a couple of years and want […]
Come join us for this in-person workshop at MOFGA to learn how to reproduce your favorite apple tree varieties! Bench grafting is a very cost-effective way to create (graft) new small trees for planting. This class will be taught by Laura Sieger, MOFGA's Orchard Coordinator, and Jacob Mentlik of After the Fall Farm and Fedco. […]
Join us to celebrate Earth Day with a spring cleanup at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity on Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We'll get ready for the coming growing season, learn about mulching and work in the orchard. This is a great way to enjoy some fresh air and the company of […]
This workshop has regretfully been cancelled.A three part webinar series taught by Michael Phillips with sessions on April 24th, May 8th, May 22nd. By signing up below you are registering for all 3 sessions. All sessions will be recorded.Michael Phillips, author of The Apple Grower, will lead the group through a comprehensive exploration of orchard health strategies […]
FREE! Many backyard gardeners & homesteaders begin dabbling in raising livestock by getting laying hens. Another great starting point for adding animals to your homestead is with broilers - or chickens being raised specifically for meat. Broilers are small and easy to handle, they stay on your farm for just a short period of time, […]
Learn how to grow a garden of beautiful & medicinal plants that can be used to care for yourself and your family. Emily Springer of Meeting House Herb Farm in Scarborough, Maine, presents a workshop on how plants have been used for centuries in home apothecaries, and offers tips on how you can establish your […]
Join Michael Friedland to learn about Maine's lumber economy. Friedland is the owner of a socially and environmentally conscious lumberyard in Southern Maine that uses a farmers' market model to aggregate and sell products from small sawmills. We will discuss the difference between sustainable forestry and sustainable forestry products and explore opportunities and obstacles to […]
Want to learn how to install a native garden from scratch and get your hands dirty while you're at it? MOFGA and Wild Seed Project (WSP) are teaming up to offer a hands-on planting workshop. You will learn how to match the right plant to the right place, put into practice a tried-and-true sheet mulching […]
Join MOFGA’s Crop Specialist Caleb Goossen and a local organic crop farmer for an introductory workshop on organic crop farming principles. Goossen will cover theory and best practices for organic management of soils and crops, while the farmer will share a virtual farm tour to see things in action. Bring all your crop-farming questions! REGISTER HERE.MOFGA’s […]
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 and MOFGA's dairy specialist, will demonstrate livestock handling with an interactive Q&A at Misty Brook Farm. Please wear footwear that can be bleached for biosecurity purposes. REGISTER HERE.MOFGA’s Farm Training Project […]
Learn how to grow a garden of beautiful & medicinal plants that can be used to care for yourself and your family. Emily Springer of Meeting House Herb Farm in Scarborough, Maine, presents a workshop on how plants have been used for centuries in home apothecaries, and offers tips on how you can establish your […]
This introductory one and half-day in-person field course is suitable for new or beginning chainsaw operators, and is designed to serve women and non-binary participants. Our overwhelming focus is on safety and creating a space where participants feel comfortable asking questions and learning at their own pace. Chainsaws are serious business. Topics to be covered […]
Join Conservation biologist Aleta McKeage to learn about the role assisted tree species migration may play in maintaining resilient forests in Maine and help MOFGA and Waldo SWCD establish a small climate-adapted tree research site. During this hands-on volunteer workday, we'll briefly discuss the stresses native trees are currently experiencing, explore the risks and benefits […]
This class will be held in person in Damariscotta. Fee: $45; $30 for MOFGA members Free for Journeyperson program participants, veterans and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) Scholarships available – apply here Learn to topwork (graft) new disease-resistant, cider, dessert or heritage varieties onto your existing trees! Top working is the type of grafting that […]
This class is taught and hosted by the Maine Ecological Design School. It is being held at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Course Dates: May 21-22, June 11-12, July 8-10, July 29-31, August 26-28 The Permaculture Design Certificate Course (also known as a PDC) is offered all over the world in various formats […]
This event is priced on a sliding scale; please pay what you are able. Suggested pricing is $75 ($60 for MOFGA members.)Join this hands-on workshop for an introduction to the world of natural dyeing using plant pigments! Indigenous peoples have been dyeing cloth, baskets and other objects for many generations. Many plants and trees growing […]
Join us for The Maine Organic Marketplace’s inaugural seedling sale! The frost has passed, the soil’s warming up, and it’s time to start putting your seedlings in the ground. From 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. seedlings and plants will be available to purchase outside of our storefront in Freeport on the lawn. We are excited […]
Farmer to Farmer in the Field is a series of monthly free farmer-led, farm-based tours and education geared towards advanced and established farmers.Join us at South Paw Farm to discuss the practice and benefits of soil moisture monitoring. We will tour some fields and discuss how the South Paw crew have utilized this practice to […]
This workshop 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. After the workshop with Cynthia, there will be a tour of Wolfe Neck Center’s vegetable […]
Hosted by the Monhegan Historical & Cultural Museum Association. Todd Little-Siebold is a Professor of History at the College of the Atlantic and works with the Maine Heritage Orchard at MOFGA tracking down, documenting and preserving Maine's heirloom apples. He has focused on the history of apples in downeast Maine for over a decade working […]
Join Emily Springer from Meeting House Herb Farm and Herb Growers Collaborative for an introductory workshop on organic medicinal herb growing in the Northeast. Emily will cover herbs that grow well in the northeast, herbs that can improve soil health and compliment a vegetable crop plan, pricing and markets, drying room tips and safe processing. […]
Do you have a small number of fruit trees and wish they produced a nice crop of tasty fruit, but don't want to use chemicals or commit to a complicated, time-intensive management routine? Join us for this workshop on low-intervention, yet effective, methods of organic fruit tree care. Edgar Evenkeel, orchardist & arborist, will talk […]
This event is being offered on a sliding scale from $0-$25. Please pay what you are able. Join MOFGA’s Orchard Coordinator, Laura Sieger, for an online presentation about the holistic approaches to orchard care that she and others use at the Maine Heritage Orchard in Unity. These techniques involve the use of organic sprays and amendments, and […]
This introductory one and half-day in-person field course is suitable for new or beginning chainsaw operators. Our overwhelming focus is on safety and creating a space where participants feel comfortable asking questions and learning at their own pace. Chainsaws are serious business. Topics to be covered include personal protective equipment (PPE), saw operation and maintenance, […]
Learn to build a cob oven at the beautiful Lundquist homestead in Wilton, Maine! Wood fired earth ovens make it possible to bake incredible crusty breads and pizzas outdoors at home. We will construct an earth oven during this hands-on 2-day workshop, giving participants the skills and confidence to build their own.Jesse Stevens, experienced outdoor […]
Please join us at the Portersfield Cider Tasting Room in Pownal, Maine, to celebrate the extraordinary past nine years of growth since the inception of the Maine Heritage Orchard to this momentous stage in raising $2 million as a part of MOFGA’s “Together We Grow” 50th anniversary campaign to endow the future of the orchard […]
Join the farmers of Sound Pine Farm and MOFGA’s Crop Specialist, Caleb Goossen, for a tour focused on how to use soil health practices for crop production on leased land. Sound Pine Farm is a diversified vegetable farm offering a free choice CSA to the greater Brunswick area. REGISTER HERE.MOFGA’s Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops […]
Well-managed pasture leads to healthier, more productive animals and healthier soils. At the same time, poorly handled manure can be a breeding ground for unwanted bacteria and pathogens and can increase fly populations. One creature that ought to come up more during conversations about manure management & pasturing animals is the scarab beetle, commonly known as […]
Join Isabel Stearns, the fiber artist behind The Felted Acorns, for a hands-on needle felting workshop! This class will be held in a small group setting (limit: 10 people) inside MOFGA’s store, the Maine Organic Marketplace, in Freeport, Maine. At this workshop you’ll be introduced to the basic techniques of needle felting as you create […]
This event is part of the The Maine Conference for Jewish Life. This year is shmita, meaning “release,” also referred to as “the sabbath for the land”. According to Jewish law farmers are meant to “release” their land every seven years, take an agricultural sabbatical and let their fields lie fallow. What can we learn […]
Join us at Calyx Farm for pizza, childcare and a farmer-led conversation about farming while raising a family! Come connect on a variety of topics from tactics, failures and resiliency. Please pre-register for this session so we can provide adequate food and fulfill childcare needs.REGISTER HERE.Farmer to Farmer in the Field is a series of […]
Seek-No-Further Farmstead is a small, queer-owned and operated farm in Monroe. They produce vegetables year round, goat milk and yogurt, and early season tulips using sustainable practices that maintain and improve soil and pasture health. In this workshop and tour, they will share their diversified farming practices, including rotational grazing and intensive vegetable gardens. REGISTER […]
MOFGA’s orchards celebrate and preserve our heritage of tree fruit diversity, demonstrate innovative polycultural orcharding and regenerate soil vitality. The Maine Heritage Orchard is a ten-acre educational preservation orchard with more than 300 varieties of apples and pears traditionally grown in Maine. We are adding more varieties each year. The collection includes varieties from all […]
The Blue Hill Public Library will sponsor a talk with Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Executive Director Sarah Alexander about PFAS on Thursday, June 23 at 6:00pm in the library's Howard room as part of the Slaven Lecture Series. PFAS, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a hot topic in the agricultural […]
This event is hosted by the Maine Grain Alliance and precedes Bread & Brews, a celebration of local grains, which begins at 2:30 pm, right as this workshop ends.Whether you are a home pizza aficionado or looking to start a pizza program at your pub or brewery, this workshop will equip attendees with ways to use […]
Join us on the MOFGA grounds for a celebration of Maine-grown grain & the people who use it to make bread and beer! Try beer from local breweries, learn about grain at demos & workshops, and enjoy good food and music. Local breweries will be sharing their brews alongside music, food vendors and workshops all afternoon.The […]
Have you had any questions on your mind as you work in your garden this season? Perhaps you have a pest you're dealing with or are wondering about succession planting. Or maybe you want some tips on how to help your growing plants thrive! Join us for a lunchtime Gardening Q&A so we can help […]
Join for a conversation on equity and justice in agriculture, grounded in self reflection of our own power and privilege, and how our position influences our work as farmers. There will be pre-work expected for all attendees. In addition to this conversation, we will tour the Gemstead where Genna and Gina, both past apprentices and […]
This introductory one and half-day in-person field course is suitable for new or beginning chainsaw operators. Our overwhelming focus is on safety and creating a space where participants feel comfortable asking questions and learning at their own pace. Chainsaws are serious business. Topics to be covered include personal protective equipment (PPE), saw operation and maintenance, […]
Stonecipher Farm is an organic vegetable farm in Bowdoinham, run by Ian Jerolmack and Emily Goodchild. They converted from 12 acres tilled, to 4 acres no till starting in 2019. They earn more money, have better products, water less, fertilize less, have no weeds and enjoy a more tranquil environment because of it. Ian and […]
