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 […]
Join Caleb Goossen, MOFGA's Crops Specialist, for a "walk & talk" at a community garden in Portland with a focus on identifying and learning how to deal with common vegetable crop pests & diseases. Caleb will help identify pest or disease issues that we find in the gardens and share his go-to methods mitigating their […]
This half-day field course taught by foresters, soil scientists and experienced land managers is a great introduction to the basics of forest ecology and active stewardship. While touring Hidden Valley Nature Center, we will cover woodland ecology, silviculture, legal issues, management plans, forest tending activities and more. Designed for those with beginner to intermediate experience […]
For nearly a decade Graham and Emily Mallory have been working to reclaim farmland and develop silvopastures at their land in Jackson to create a biodiverse landscape supporting livestock and wildlife. Wood harvests large and small, forestry mulching, pastured broilers, hog tillage, frost seeding, bale grazing and both intensive and extensively managed ruminant grazing have […]
Join us for our first Gather & Grow tour of the season! Since moving to South Portland in 2016, Travis and Anne have worked to reclaim their half-acre backyard from a thicket of invasives and create a small suburban homestead. Along the way they've built a four season irrigated garden, greenhouse, and chicken coop. The […]
Becoming a licensed dairy producer can be a daunting task. Please join Grace Pond Farm and MOFGA’s dairy specialist Jacki Perkins for a farm tour and lively discussion of dairy production, and its counterpart, the value added market. Grace Pond Farm's organically certified dairy herd spends long, happy, grass-fed days chewing the cud. Their dairy […]
Join Emily Springer from Infusion Herb Company and learn how to make a soothing skin salve from sunny Calendula blossoms. This is a hands on workshop and participants will go home with a handout and their own hand crafted salve made during the class. The class will focus on the herbal benefits of calendula for […]
Join us to learn some new skills & enjoy a summer's day on the MOFGA grounds!This free & family-friendly event is open to all. All workshops are hands-on ... come learn with us • Try out a scythe or expand your scything know-how! Learn about sharpening & peening a blade; mowing technique; making hay and […]
Join MOFGA executive director Sarah Alexander for sun tea, local, organic baked goods, and a special tour of Triple Chick Farm with new farm managers Adam and Anna Perkins.This event is free but requires registration.REGISTER HEREQuestions? Contact Elizabeth Lucy: [email protected]
Join us for a tour of Kiwihill Farm in Sidney, Maine! You may have seen Tom swapping treasures at the Seed Swap & Scion Exchange, at the Common Ground Country Fair teaching about garlic, or lending a hand at the Maine Heritage Orchard. Now you can join him for a tour at his place, where […]
Hear from Brady Hatch of Morning Dew Farm on how they approach making financially informed decisions on the farm, including record keeping systems, accessing TA and grant resources, and financial tools that have been important at various stages of their farm's 18 year history. Brady will give specific examples related to the recent building of […]
Join us on the MOFGA campus for this immersive, hands-on workshop about dyeing with indigo! Japanese Indigo (Persicaria tinctoria) grows vigorously in Maine and can be used to dye fabric and wool many shades of blue. Come learn how to dye using fresh indigo that we'll harvest together as part of the workshop!The class will […]
Learn the basics of flower farming through the seasons in Maine by walking through the flowers at Lazy Acres Farm. Lazy Acres Farm is a small family farm in Farmingdale, focusing on specialty cut flowers and pastured pork. They sell their flowers through a CSA, wholesale to florists, at their on-farm stand, through wedding and design […]
Saturday, August 13th, 12 noon - 4 pm, andSunday, August 14th, 9 am - 4 pmThis workshop is being offered on a sliding scale from $100-$200. Please pay what you can afford.Learn to build, and then bake, in a cob oven at beautiful Morning Glory Farm in Bethel, Maine! Wood fired earth ovens make it […]
Join us for a moderate hike to explore both managed forests at MOFGA and unmanaged old forests along the Hills to Sea trail. We’ll discuss the value of unmanaged, late-successional forests for carbon storage and healthy ecosystems, and see some spectacularly large, old trees. Leaders Buck O'Herin and Aleta McKeage will also share information about […]
The Safe Labor Movement Workshop covers better body mechanics and movement patterns in order to increase workforce productivity efficiency and help decrease workplace injuries. Time will be spent in an interactive atmosphere moving through four basic movement patterns: hinge, squat, push and pull, along with kneeling patterns, rotation and core stability. Each participant will leave […]
Calling all cider makers, orchardists, fruit enthusiasts and apple nerds! Come learn about innovative orcharding methods, identifying and preserving heritage varieties, foraging wild fruit, cider making and lots more. Meet other orchard and apple enthusiasts while spending the weekend on a beautiful lake in Midcoast Maine!Camp will take place in a new location this year: […]
Do you want to take better care of the small engines that you rely on for work? In this workshop we will cover anatomy, tuneups, unflooding and your own questions! Please bring a gasoline-powered 2 stroke unit to practice on and learn more about (trimmer, chainsaw, etc). This workshop will not cover riding mowers, tractors, […]
Join us for a free webinar!The hour-long discussion will include a comprehensive overview of volunteering with MOFGA, including year-round opportunities, the Common Ground Country Fair and navigating MOFGA's new volunteer website mofga.vomo.orgThere will be time for questions at the end of the presentation. This event is free but requires preregistration. REGISTER HEREQuestion?Email [email protected]
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 instruction. Please bring a lunch.$100; $75 MOFGA members.REGISTER […]
Join us for this webinar about adding an equine to the homestead!Before you either flat-out refuse, or fully commit to owning an equine, there are lots of important things to consider! How much acreage does one need to own a horse? Will they really need access to hay year round? Aren't they prone to intestinal […]
Join Fedco Seeds and Foxfire Farm to learn about seed saving and integrating seed trialing into your farm business. This will be a good opportunity for vegetable growers to compare and contrast different varieties over a wide range of crops. Foxfire Farm is a small-scale, diversified farm in Palermo, committed to growing healthy and nutritious […]
Join Daisy Beal (Daisychain Farm in Belfast) and Seth Yentes (North Branch Farm in Monroe) for this online talk about growing berries. Daisy will talk about raspberries & strawberries and Seth will cover high bush blueberries. They both grow organic berries commercially but will be sharing advice directed at gardeners, homesteaders and home-scale growers during […]
Learn safe chainsaw operation in this one-and-a-half-day course open to femme, non-binary, trans and women participants. 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. Our overwhelming focus is on safety and creating a space where participants feel comfortable asking […]
Registration & scholarship deadline: Monday, Sept 5Presented by The Ecology School, North Spore and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.This event is priced on a scale from $335-$455. Scholarship applications have closed as of 09/06/22.Our second annual weekend full of all things mushrooms! Intended for mushroom enthusiasts from beginner to intermediate.This event will take place at River […]
Co-sponsored with MFT, UMaine Extension, Wolfe's Neck Center and MDACF.Join us virtually to hear from our farmer panel on how they deal with using tarps on their farm. Then engage in an active discussion amongst all participating farmers. We will delve into how to move tarps efficiently and effectively and much more!REGISTER HERE.Farmer to Farmer […]
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 Gardening Q&A so we can help answer your […]
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. Maine’s field agent for Land For Good and Bo Dennis, the Beginning Farmer Specialist at MOFGA, will help you brainstorm about your future farm, the […]
The Common Ground Country Fair will be in-person at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine on September 23, 24, and 25, 2022. 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 professional sawyer Nick Zandstra for a hands-on opportunity to learn about portable bandsaw mills. The course will cover basic mill operation, mill yard layout and techniques to maximize lumber quality while milling hardwood and pine logs harvested from the MOFGA woodlot.Please note: Though the course will be taught using a fully-hydraulic Woodmizer mill, the […]
This is an in-person workshop being held at MOFGA's Education Center in Unity, Maine.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 a passionate grower […]
At MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine.Sponsored by MOFGA and Fedco Trees.Admission free / optional donation. This event will be mostly outside, with some workshops indoors.Fall fruit season is here! Join us at MOFGA for a day of celebration of apples & other delicious tree fruit. There will be guided tours of the […]
Logan Higger of Sowbelly Butchery and Jacki Martinez Perkins, MOFGA's Dairy & Livestock Specialist, will lead this workshop about processing chickens at home or on your small farm.In this workshop you will be guided through a safe and humane process for turning live birds into oven-ready roasters. We will have small-scale processing equipment (plucker, cones, […]
$65 general admission; $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 […]
Did you know fall is a great time to plant native species? Want to learn how to create a garden and get your hands dirty while you're at it? MOFGA and Wild Seed Project (WSP) are teaming up to offer a second planting workshop this October. We will continue planting native shrubs and perennials at […]
See Dewey’s Lumber and Cedar Mill in operation and learn how they’ve succeeded by staying small and producing a high-quality, specialized product.REGISTER HERE.Questions? Please email [email protected]
We're looking for help to get the MOFGA fairgrounds in order before the snow flies!We'll be working on various jobs around the fairgrounds to get everything situated after the excitement of the Fair.Volunteers will leave with a T-shirt (various years designs available) lunch and a token of appreciation!For more information and to sign up to […]
$50 general admission; $45 for MOFGA membersJoin Emily Springer of Meeting House Farm - a MOFGA certified organic farm in Scarborough, Maine - for a workshop of blending herbal tea and tisanes. Meeting House Farm grows organic herbs for Infusion Herb Co., a local producer of organic herbal products.We will learn the art of blending […]
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