Hanne Tierney of Cornerstone Farm in Palmyra is a strong proponent of farmers’ markets. English photo Farmers’ Markets and Strong Communities Sunday, September 23, 2018 – Common Ground Country Fair, Unity, Maine Hanne Tierney has been farming in central Maine for 17 years. She owns and operates Cornerstone Farm, a hog and organic …
Welcome to the 34th Common Ground Country Fair! By Jim Ahearne The Fair has grown a lot over the last 34 years. More than 700 exhibitors, demonstrators, speakers and artists now participate in the Fair. Behind all this activity is a remarkable group of volunteers who continue to inspire and create. Planning Common Ground is a …
Baldemar Velasquez described the efforts needed to create a more just food system. English photo Our Food System: The Tie to Immigration, Migrant Workers, Exploitation and Human Trafficking Sunday, September 22, 2018 – Common Ground Country Fair, Unity, Maine Born in 1947, Baldemar Velasquez grew up in a migrant farmworker family based in …
Carey Gillam. English photo Decades of Deceit – A Critical Eye on Pesticides, Science and Industry Saturday, September 21, 2019 – Common Ground Country Fair, Unity, Maine Investigative journalist Carey Gillam has covered corporate and political news, including 17 years as a senior correspondent for Reuters. In 2018 her book “Whitewash – The Story …
Common Ground Country Fair keynote speaker Jonathan Rosenthal talked about new economies that use strategies such as cooperatives and public ownership to give power back to communities. John Williams photo From Local to System and Rural to Urban: Building a New Economy Sunday, September 24, 2017 – Common Ground Country Fair, Unity, Maine During …
The Common Kitchen is a hub of activity before, during and after the Common Ground Country Fair, feeding upward of 2,000 volunteers delicious and nourishing meals made with local and organic ingredients. Dedicated and talented volunteers transform the generous food donations from farms, markets, bakeries and food companies into nearly 6,000 meals for Fair volunteers …
Thousands of Meals Served Each year more than 2,000 people volunteer to help organize, facilitate and clean up after the Common Ground Country Fair. People who work four hours or more during the Fair are given a meal ticket. Between Thursday and Sunday night of the Fair weekend, more than 4,600 meals are cooked and …
Sarah Alexander (left; MOFGA’s executive director) introducing Anne Devin. English photo United We Grow: Veterans in Agriculture Sunday, September 22, 2019 – Common Ground Country Fair, Unity, Maine After 27 years on active duty as a U.S. Marine Corps officer, Anne Devin transitioned to full-time farming in 2016 with the vision of replicating an …
Fifty by 60 – Amanda Beal, president and CEO of Maine Farmland Trust, described how Maine could produce 50 percent of its food by 2060 during her keynote speech at the Common Ground Country Fair. English photo U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (right), a strong supporter of Maine-grown and organic food, attended Beal’s keynote speech and …
Will Allen described Growing Power Inc. during his keynote at the Common Ground Country Fair and said the program is growing farmers because, in part, “it costs 10 times more to send somebody to jail than to help fix their life.” English photo Will Allen lunching and talking veggies with MOFGA member and Exhibition Hall …
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