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 […]
MOFGA's Climate Cafe is a series of in-person events that will take place around the state inviting farmers and farmworkers to connect over climate concerns, share adaptation strategies and strengthen our networks of support.This Cafe will take place at Beech Hill Farmstead. Moderated discussion will be informal and spontaneous, guided by participants' interests and with […]
This event is a fundraiser for the El Salvador Sistering Committee; co-sponsored by the Maine Grain Alliance.Pupusas — corn-based flatbreads stuffed with cheese, beans, meat or other ingredients — are a traditional and much-loved food in El Salvador. The word “pupusa” may derive from native Central American Nawat words meaning “fluffy,” “fluffy thing” or “puffy.” […]
*This is the second 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 […]
For many of us, gardening is something that happens in small spaces. Raised beds can boast abundance, and are often a more accessible form of gardening for renters or folks with limited space. At the same time, they can also require a bit of advanced planning to get started! In this webinar, Dr. Mariam Taleb […]
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 […]
*Free for Journeyperson program participants and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Scholarship application for anyone interested is available here. Mushrooms are a delicious addition to almost any garden, homestead, woodlot, or farm. In this workshop, learn how to select mushroom logs and varieties, with a specific focus on shiitakes; design an appropriate site for growing […]
This event is hosted by Meeting House Farm.Most medicinal herbs are grown in Europe or Asia Pacific which means that U.S. farmers are missing a HUGE opportunity to provide local herbal medicine to our community. Join us for "Adding Herbs to Your Crop Plan" on April 24 from 4-5:30 p.m. to learn which herbs grows […]
Join us to celebrate (belated) Earth Day with a spring cleanup at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine, on Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.We’ll spend time tidying the grounds to get ready for the upcoming growing season and events we'll be hosting. Tasks include raking, garden bed prep, working […]
*Free for Journeyperson program participants and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Scholarship application for anyone interested is available here.Learn to topwork (graft) new disease-resistant, cider, dessert or heritage varieties onto your existing trees! Topworking is the type of grafting that is done when you have an established tree and you’d like it to produce a different […]
*Registration is free for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members, as well as members of the MOFGA Journeyperson program. Join us on April 28th from 10am to 2pm for a vernal pool field day with Joe Roy, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's Private Lands Wildlife Biologist! We will begin the day […]
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 […]
Being able to diversify the genetics of your herd can be an important asset when working with cattle. However, the lack of contract artificial insemination technicians in Maine means that qualified breeders are often geographically out of reach for most people. Learning to perform artificial insemination can be a step in maintaining your farm’s biosecurity, […]
MOFGA's Climate Cafe is a series of in-person events that will take place around the state inviting farmers and farmworkers to connect over climate concerns, share adaptation strategies and strengthen our networks of support.This Cafe will take place at the Center for an Ecology-Based Economy. Moderated discussion will be informal and spontaneous, guided by participants' […]
*Update: this panel was originally hybrid but is now fully remote (on Zoom). Registrants will receive access to the Zoom link ahead of the event.* Join us for a panel presentation featuring wood bank leaders from around the state of Maine who will share their stories of organizing and running wood banks. Sharing similarities with food […]
*This is the third 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 […]
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 […]
Join us for a discussion on available financial incentives and assistance with the Maine Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service! Financials can be a large limiting factor to stewarding your land well. Luckily, there are resources available - whether you need a new bridge, have an understory of barberry, or simply need an updated forest […]
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 […]
*Registration is free for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members, as well as individuals enrolled in MOFGA's Journeyperson program.Learn about assisted migration efforts at MOFGA's woodlot; strategies for growing nursery stock; planting new trees for assisted migration; as well as more broadly planning climate adaptation efforts. Plus, enjoy lunch with colleagues!REGISTER HEREOur […]
Join us for the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ Farmworker May Days happening on May 19 (LGBTQ+ in Midcoast Maine) and May 26 (BIPOC in Southern Maine)! Over these days, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ farmworkers will build confidence in safety skills, get excited for the farm season and feel connected to identity based community. Workshops include power tool and tractor […]
*Registration is free for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members, as well as members of the MOFGA Journeyperson program. In this session, Dr. Jay Wason and two of his current graduate students, Laura Pinover and Emily MacDonald, will discuss how their recent and ongoing research efforts are helping us understand how forest […]
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.Kickoff the season with a tour of a diversified vegetable farm to see various infrastructure and […]
Join us for the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ Farmworker May Days happening on May 19 (LGBTQ+ in Midcoast Maine) and May 26 (BIPOC in Southern Maine)! Over these days, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ farmworkers will build confidence in safety skills, get excited for the farm season and feel connected to identity based community. Workshops include power tool and tractor […]
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 […]
Come join us for an open, comfortable and facilitated space for parents who farm. Hear from others who know the juggle and the struggle. We will hear about things that have worked... and some epic fails. Division of labor will be a focus topic of the evening. How might roles shift year to year and […]
*Due to extenuating circumstances, this event has been cancelled. We hope to hold it next year! Please reach out to [email protected] for any questions.
*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 sliding scale registration is designed to make attendance as accessible as possible to people with different financial resources, while also ensuring that costs are covered. The recommended price is $190 for MOFGA members; $210 for non-members. Registration is free for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members and those enrolled in the […]
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. This workshop will focus on body mechanics and movement patterns to help avoid potential work […]
*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 […]
June 20th, 6pm-7:30pm Chris Grigsby, MOFGA's Certification Director Meg Mitchell, MOFGA's Climate Smart and Organic Transition Specialist Virtually on Zoom Register Here! Join MOFGA’s certification director, Chris Grigsby, and Meg Mitchell, MOFGA's Climate Smart and Organic Transition Specialist, to learn the basics of organic certification as well as demystifying the process and requirements of […]
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.
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.This session is designed for farmworkers currently working on commercial farms in Maine or people interested […]
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 […]
Join us for a No-till Growers and TOPP (Transition to Organic Partnership Program) Meeting on Sunday, July 7, 4-7 p.m. at Frith Farm in Scarborough, Maine. This meeting is geared toward farmers who are growing using no-till, ecological practices or are transitioning to these methods. There will be opportunities to learn about transitioning to 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 […]
*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 […]
*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. […]
Are you interested in climate adaptation and mitigation projects on your farm or forest land? The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to plan and implement conservation work. Come visit a farm that has completed a conservation plan with NRCS, and learn about the process and outcomes. This is also an […]
For nearly two decades, the Maine Grain Alliance has been uniting bakers, millers, maltsters, brewers, grain professionals, and farmers, through meaningful conversations aimed at strengthening our regional grain economy. This year's 17th annual Kneading Conference (July 25-26) will see the introduction of the first-ever Organic Farmer Track— a series of educational workshops focused on organic […]
Learn about how we’re fighting to end PFAS contamination on farmland!Join MOFGA on July 25 from 12 to 1 p.m. for an interactive discussion about PFAS and learn about why we’re suing the EPA.Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals,” are industrial chemicals that persist in the environment indefinitely. Due to the practice of […]
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 […]
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.Suncatcher Flower Farm leases 1 acre of land from Crystal Spring Farm in Brunswick. Joined by […]
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. REGISTER HERE *This sliding scale registration is […]
Are you interested in climate adaptation and mitigation projects on your farm or forest land? The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to plan and implement conservation work. Come visit a farm that has completed a conservation plan with NRCS, and learn about the process and outcomes. This is also an […]
Join us on Wednesday, August 7 at 10:30 a.m. for a Field Day at Aurora Mills and Farm in Linneus, Maine. This free event, designed for farmers, is part of the Maine Grain Alliance’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program grant. The day will feature a tour of the farm, mill, equipment, and buildings. Sara Flewelling […]
Join Nurture Through Nature for a fun-filled day of learning how to build your very own backyard oven! Get your hands dirty as you work alongside experienced instructors to create a beautiful and functional oven that you can use to bake delicious pizzas, bread, and more. This hands-on workshop will teach you the ins and outs of […]
Join our Low-Impact Forestry Specialist for work in our Assisted Migration plot. Assisted Migration is the practice of aiding species in their movement as a response to climate change. MOFGA has set aside a small plot in our woods as a place for experimentation with Assisted Migration.Work in this area may include building or maintenance, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Join the Low-Impact Forestry program as we learn from Sarah Robinson from Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District and Dustin Small from Bissel Brothers Three Rivers about identifying and sustainably harvesting forest foods. Together, they will teach us about common edible plants found in Maine's forests - right here in Unity at the MOFGA campus.Please bring […]
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.Wild Few Herb Farm is a no-till medicinal herb farm growing 30 different varieties of herbs […]
*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 […]
This event has been cancelled due to low registration.Join MOFGA as we are guided by Elizabeth Grey and Alice Hotopp through a morning exploration of the Ecology of Grief.Ecological grief is the sense of loss that accompanies bearing witness to the changing landscape as a result of climate change and environmental destruction. As a landowner, the […]
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.Come tour Second Frost Farm, a MOFGA-certified organic vegetable farm in Monroe offering a wide range […]
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 […]
View the Early Schedule REGISTRATION CLOSED - See you next time!*Participants in MOFGA's Journeyperson program and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members are welcome to register at no cost.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 […]
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 […]
Join our Low-Impact Forestry Specialist for work in our Assisted Migration plot. Assisted Migration is the practice of aiding species in their movement as a response to climate change. MOFGA has set aside a small plot in our woods as a place for experimentation with Assisted Migration.Spend the afternoon helping us remove invasive plants from […]
Join Richard Roberts, the Director of Maine Grain Alliances’s Heritage Seed Restoration Project, for a free educational workshop on planting winter grains. Attendees will have the opportunity to see small-scale cultivation equipment in use and discuss strategies for overwintering small grains in Maine – including soil fertility management, understory seeding for weed control, insulating your […]
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.New Spoke Farm grows diversified, vibrant vegetables for CSA, markets and wholesale. They utilize a variety […]
Join the O’Donnells at Rusted Rooster Farm for a grain harvest field day demonstration and a discussion on drying, storage, and post-harvest grain handling practices.REGISTER HERE.
Join MOFHA, Downeast flower farmers, and farmworkers for three flower farm visits in the Downeast area. We will gather first at Salt Farm Flowers for a welcome activity and a tour, and then head out to see Solid Roots Flower Farm and Seal Point Farm. Bring your own lunch and snacks. Carpooling between sites throughout […]
The workshop is part of our three-part Starting Your Farm online series. First up is Accessing Resources. If you are interested in starting a farm, it is never too soon to consider your options of how to access land and capital resources. Join Maine’s field agent for Land For Good and Bo Dennis, MOFGA’s Beginning […]
*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 […]
*Registration is free for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) community members and MOFGA Journeypersons.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 logs harvested from the MOFGA woodlot. Please […]
*This event has been moved from its previously scheduled date, June 14.Learn the art of baking in 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 outdoors at home. In this one day workshop you will learn to bake using […]
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 […]
DESCRIPTIONJoin farm-based educators and farm to school practitioners for a hands-on, farm-based learning experience this October! This day-long experience invites you into peer-facilitated conversations around topics of your choosing: early learners on the farm, balancing production and education, favorite farm programs for teens, summer camp, running a mission-based organization, and more. The morning will include […]
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; […]
