Farmer Events and Programming
Our programs are built on the principle that hands-on and peer-to-peer learning are the most effective ways to develop expertise, share innovation, and grow the supportive communities of practice that farmers, gardeners, and eaters need to succeed in building a sustainable food and farm system in Maine. Join us for our various workshops, meetings, farm tours, and conferences throughout the year!
Conferences
Learn from and engage with speakers who are farmers and service providers, including peers and mentors from across Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York , and more!
We hope to see you at the 2024 Farmer to Farmer Conference Saturday, November 2 through Monday, November 4 at the Sugarloaf Resort, Carrabassett Valley, Maine!
Farmer Discussion Spaces
- Farmer to Farmer in the Field
A free summer series of farmer-led, farm-based tours and education, held monthly and geared towards advanced and established farmers. Check our calendar of upcoming events below.Â
- Climate Cafes
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. If you have interest in hosting a Climate Cafe, or know of a community center where you’d like to see this event held, please get in touch with our Climate Smart and Organic Transition Specialist, Meg Mitchell.
- Farmer-Led Producer Discussions
Informal farmer-led topical discussions held over Zoom throughout the winter. Topics are proposed by farmers and discussed among farmers.
Propose a topic for this year! Email Farmer Programs Manager Anna Mueller.
Previous topics have included: berry growing, specialty summer crops, and winter tunnels.
Educational Series
- Farm Training Project
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. Sessions have concluded for 2024 — keep an eye out for 2025’s calendar!
MOFGA Farm Beginnings is a farmer-led, nine week long business planning course to help guide those with a strong commitment to creating a sustainable farm business achieve their goals.
Learn more about MOFGA’s farmer training programs, like our apprenticeship and Journeyperson program, here.Â
Upcoming Farmer Events
Kitchen Licensing Workshop
December 6 @ 9:30 am - 2:30 pmHow to Use Community Development Financial Institutions for Food & Land Projects
December 11 @ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pmSoil Health Day
December 13 @ 9:00 am - 1:45 pmBackyard Maple Syrup Production Webinar
January 7, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pmBeekeeping for Beginners
January 18, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Get updates on our latest farmer events in your inbox:
Past Events
Spring Growth Conference is an annual conference geared towards established farmers — each year we dive into a topic to celebrate and prepare for the upcoming season.
A series of forums focused on water, including management, systems and adaptation strategies for making it through times of drought and excess precipitation. Co-facilitated by MOFGA and NOFA-VT.Â
These sessions are free and designed for established farmers. The first hour of these sessions is open to all, while our Maine Farm Resilience Program (MFRP) participants will have additional session time with our presenters after the presentations. Most sessions are virtual and can be signed up for individually or as a whole.
