Hi all, My name is Bo Dennis, and I am the beginning farmer program specialist at MOFGA. I am also the farmer at Dandy Ram Farm, a flower farm based in Penobscot territory of Monroe, Maine. Each year, I see the direct effects of climate change on our farm — the intense storms with flooding
Every five years, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) conducts a nation-wide survey of farmers and ranchers to understand the trends in “land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures.” These data can be teased out at the state- and even the county-level to help us understand how farming has changed
In honor of Black History Month, MOFGA is excited to highlight Black agrarian and environmental history. We took a look back at books we reviewed in The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener featuring diverse perspectives from Black voices. This list includes celebrations of Black agrarian joy, spiritual traditions, intersectional environmentalism and more. “The Art &
MOFGA’s Certification Services (MCS) was recently recognized with an Investing in INTEGRITY Data Quality Award for the second time in three years. The award, given by the United States Department of Agriculture National Organic Program recognizes accredited organic certifiers for their “extraordinary support of the National Organic Standards.” Congratulations MCS! “Credit should go first and
MOFGA was awarded an Organic Market Development Grant to work in partnership with the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership, to promote organic dairy and increase consumer demand for products made with milk produced in the Northeast. “We’re excited that the USDA has awarded this organic marketing grant that will benefit Maine and the entire Northeast
MOFGA unveiled the 2024 Common Ground Country Fair artwork earlier today at the Maine Agricultural Trades Show in Augusta. The artwork for the fair’s promotional materials and iconic T-shirts is selected from contest submissions each year and the winning design is highly anticipated. This year’s artwork by Maya Kuvaja is titled “Owl with Apples.” This
In the final days of 2023, MOFGA is reflecting on all that we’ve accomplished together this year. With your help, we: To help ensure we cross the finish line of our 50th Anniversary Campaign, you can make a contribution to MOFGA before the end of the year. December 31, 2023, will be the last day
Please join us for MOFGA’s annual meeting on Thursday, January 18 at 7 p.m. held online via Zoom. Register at mofga.org/annualmeeting to join. At the annual meeting, you’ll hear reports from board members and MOFGA’s executive director on our impact during 2023 and plans for 2024. Members in good standing are encouraged to vote on
When it comes to adapting to climate change, organic agriculture is climate-smart agriculture. This has been a difficult year for many farms in Maine. A late May frost impacted fruit and vegetable growers across the region, and in June and July, Maine saw a combined 11 inches more rain than average. This was a stark
MOFGA Certification Services Hosts USDA-NOP and the European Union’s Peer Review On September 18-20, 2023, MOFGA Certification Services (MCS) hosted the European Commission’s peer review of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP). Peer reviews are part of any organic equivalency arrangement between the USDA and another country, and are designed to
