MOFGA has been certifying organic farms for 50 years! It’s time to look back at the history of certification through MOFGA and MOFGA Certification Services (MCS). In 1972, MOFGA started the first organic certification program in the country. Most of those early growers had started by producing food for themselves as part of the back-to-the-land
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) as an awardee of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). The grant award, $906,390 ($725,112 of federal dollars and $181,278 in matching funds), will be distributed over three years and support production and financial training through
MOFGA is collaborating with Mano en Mano and the Maine Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network to collect winter clothing for migrant wreath workers. Every fall over 2,000 wreath workers arrive in Downeast Maine, some with little warm clothing for the cold work ahead. Please bring new or lightly used adult winter clothing to one of the drop off
Farmers from around the state will gather at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast, Maine, November 5-7 to learn from their peers and agricultural experts from around the Northeast. Participants can join with their fellow farmers at this year’s conference for three days of offerings including 30 educational sessions, farm tours and delicious local food. The
Join the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association for Great Maine Apple Day, a celebration of the history, flavor and tradition of Maine apples. We will celebrate the fall season together while honoring the importance of a diversified, perennial agriculture. This annual event takes place on Sunday, October 16, from noon to 4 p.m., at
With a total of 67,848 fairgoers, the 2022 Common Ground Country Fair was a record-breaking event (the previous record was 65,098 in 2015). Fairgoers poured in from around the Northeast and beyond to enjoy live music, organic food, Maine artisan crafts and a variety of educational opportunities, with over 500 presentations. “We were so excited
MOFGA and Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) are jointly administering a PFAS emergency relief fund to support any Maine farm dealing with potential per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. This fund is meant to serve as a safety net for farms. It provides funding for initial PFAS testing on farms that choose to do their own
The fall issue of MOFGA’s publication, The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, is now available to read for free online. You can also download the publication. Inside, you’ll find tips for the farm, garden and homestead. Topics include building a compost bin from pallets, managing perennial weeds and cooking with heritage fruits. This issue also
After two long years, everything is aligning for a great in-person Fair. It will be wonderful to see everyone! The volunteer planning team and MOFGA staff have been working over the past two years to prepare, and we are thrilled to debut a more spacious layout on the fairgrounds. Please be sure to consult the
Thank you to the many volunteers who make the Common Ground Country Fair possible. We rely on volunteers to direct traffic, greet fairgoers, sort compost and recycling, entertain children and perform countless other tasks that make the Fair a success. The Fair couldn’t happen without you! We have volunteer shifts available before, during and after
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