The State of Maine Agricultural Trades Show is sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. It takes place every January and is a place for farm, agricultural and related sectors to network and connect around business needs and trends. Producers and consumers alike visit this three day show to get professional expertise, learn […]
Join Dan Brisebois for a Zoom based talk on farm recordkeeping. Brisebois will discuss setting up systems for harvest, planting, and sales records and how to connect these records to achieve your farm goals. Brisebois is one of the farmers at Tourne-Sol Cooperative Farm, host of the Seed Growers Podcast, and helps farmers navigate spreadsheets […]
This is a three part webinar series with sessions taking place on: January 27, January 28 and February 4 from 3-4:30 p.m. Snow date: February 10. All sessions will be recorded & the recordings shared with registrants.This series has been priced on a sliding scale of $40-$100 for all three events to make the course […]
Childcare and dinner provided with RSVP. Please join us at the Climate Cafe! MOFGA will be hosting a series of gatherings inviting farmers and farmworkers to connect over climate concerns, share adaptation strategies and strengthen our networks of support. Discussion will be informal and spontaneous, guided by participants' interests, with peer to peer connections at […]
Join us for another event in our gardening webinar series!Stephanie Wang is a gardener and an author. Her recently published book "Asian Vegetables" features delicious recipes as well as information about how to grow the 15 Asian vegetables featured in the book. These vegetables translate well to northern climates and are a great addition to […]
We hope you'll join us for our first Gardening Q&A of the year! 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 […]
Snow date: February 23. This event is being offered in-person and on Zoom. In this session of our three-part series, we'll look at different types of benefits that farm owners can offer their employees beyond wages, and often instead of health insurance. It's important to know your employees and what matters most to them. That can […]
Snow date: February 27. Childcare and dinner provided with RSVP.Please join us at the Climate Cafe! MOFGA will be hosting a series of gatherings inviting farmers and farmworkers to connect over climate concerns, share adaptation strategies and strengthen our networks of support. Discussion will be informal and spontaneous, guided by participants' interests, with peer to […]
Join University of Maine Extension Maple Industry Educator Jason Lilley to learn everything you need to know about making your own maple syrup. We'll discuss identifying and tapping trees, collecting and boiling sap, filtering, grading, and canning syrup. Jason will focus on homestead-scale systems that require a limited initial investment in equipment. This webinar is […]
University of Idaho's Heritage Orchard Conference was established in 2019 with an in-person conference held at the Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center. The conference attracted a diverse group of heritage tree fruit enthusiasts for a day of presentations ranging from heritage fruit exploration to apple identification. Since 2020, the conference has been organized as a free […]
Relying on unpaid or family labor on dairy farms is not a sustainable option in our rapidly changing job market. In the second installment of our three part dairy labor management series, we will hear from the farmers about what has worked on their farms and what they have done differently. The farmers will do their […]
This class is being offered on a sliding scale of $30-$60. This course is free for Journeyperson program participants and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Scholarship application for anyone interested is available here. Learn to prune fruit trees to encourage vigorous growth, healthy fruit set and quality fruit yield. Collection and storage of scion wood […]
The Kennebec Soil and Water Conservation District Office will be hosting a small farm workshop for small farms interested in improving the water quality of China Lake. This workshop is geared towards small scale, “backyard” farms in the China Lake region who are interested in improving the health and sustainability of their natural resources. The talk […]
This three part forum series is supported by NOFA-VT and MOFGA. Our first session is focused on vegetable producers, our second session is focused on livestock producers, and our third session is focused on whole-farm water management planning across production types. Dynamic weather patterns brought about by a changing climate pose new challenges to producers throughout […]
*Free for Journeyperson program participants and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Scholarship application for anyone interested is available here.Are there old, overgrown fruit trees on or near your property? Don’t give up on them! Join us for this pruning workshop focused on renovating mature or neglected fruit trees.This workshop is appropriate for those who have […]
In the regions where cereal grains originate, you’d be hard-pressed to find wild wheat without barley growing alongside it. This is hardly surprising — grain mixtures (i.e. maslins) can use resources more efficiently, better tolerate changing climates, and minimize the impact of pests or pathogens.For grain farmers wishing to transition to organic practices but unable […]
*This class is the first 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 […]
This three part forum series is supported by NOFA-VT and MOFGA. Our first session is focused on vegetable producers, our second session is focused on livestock producers, and our third session is focused on whole-farm water management planning across production types. Join us for a discussion with Dr. Jaime Garzon focused on soil fertility in grasslands […]
*Postponed due to snow! Join us on 3/24 (Mt Desert), 3/30 (Hope), and 3/31 (Cumberland).*Free for Journeyperson program participants and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Scholarship application for anyone interested is available here.Are there old, overgrown fruit trees on or near your property? Don’t give up on them! Join us for this pruning workshop focused […]
Gardeners and orchardists are invited to bring their seeds, scionwood and cuttings to share to this free community event. We will have over 150+ types of scionwood to share, including some from the MOFGA orchards! The day will also include custom grafting, speakers and demonstrations, and more. We look forward to seeing you there. For […]
Get yourself growing! Join Emily Springer of Meeting House Farm on March 26, 2024 from 4-5:30 p.m. for Grow Your Own Apothecary. This online workshop covers how plants have been used for centuries in home apothecaries and offers tips on how you can establish your own apothecary garden. Join us to learn how to grow […]
*Free for Journeyperson program participants and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community members. Taught by Mike Biltonen, this webinar is an introduction to the art and science of Holistic Integrated Pest Management (IPM) from a biodynamic perspective. We will discuss the basics of IPM in principle and practice, including the use of historical data, observations, […]
This three part forum series is supported by NOFA-VT and MOFGA. Our first session is focused on vegetable producers, our second session is focused on livestock producers, and our third session is focused on whole-farm water management planning across production types. Because of climate change, it can be more difficult than ever to plan for meeting […]
*Postponed due to snow! Join us on 3/30 (Hope).*Free for Journeyperson program participants and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Scholarship application for anyone interested is available here.Are there old, overgrown fruit trees on or near your property? Don’t give up on them! Join us for this pruning workshop focused on renovating mature or neglected fruit […]
Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) will be hosting an Apple Grafting Workshop on March 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with CJ Walke. CJ has worked with PCSWCD for 10 years and has an impressive background in orchard management and is MOFGA's Orchard Programs Manager. This event will be held at the […]
*Free for Journeyperson program participants and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Scholarship application for anyone interested is available here. Are there old, overgrown fruit trees on or near your property? Don’t give up on them! Join us for this pruning workshop focused on renovating mature or neglected fruit trees. This workshop is appropriate for those […]
MOFGA is excited to hold our annual Grow Your Own Organic Garden class, this year in webinar format. Whether you're a beginning gardener or a seasoned gardener in need of new tips, you're welcome to join. Central topics include soil science, composting, and crop rotation.This webinar is taught by Caleb Goosen, Organic Crop & Conservation Specialist at […]
*Free for Journeyperson program participants and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Scholarship application for anyone interested is available here. 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. Participants will learn why and when to bench graft fruit trees, as well […]
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This is an informative, casual opportunity to connect and learn about sound breeding principles for many breeds and management styles. An approved analyzer from aAa Weeks will give a brief presentation on aAa Analysis and analyze the Wolfe's Neck Dairy herd. Different breeds and age groups will be present to provide a variety of examples. The analysis […]
Join MOFGA and environmental protection advocates from across the state for this Conservation Lobby Day, at the capitol in Augusta. Coordinated by the Environmental Priorities Coalition, this is an opportunity to speak directly to legislators about your concern for environmental, equity, and climate issues. MOFGA will hold a brief Zoom meeting on April 8, to […]
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 […]
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