Last year, Maine fruit explorers discovered a living ‘Drap d’Or de Bretagna’ apple variety that dates back to circa 1820. The tree, tucked away on a farm in Verona Island, is one of the oldest surviving apple trees in North America. Findings suggest that it could be a remnant of early French apple cultivation in
Yesterday, farmers across the state traveled for a tractor brigade at the state capitol to speak out against United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program cuts, and to urge our congressional delegation to push back and ensure farmer contracts are honored and critical programs are reinstated. The stakes are high. We heard from dozens of farmers
Read the op-ed in Bangor Daily News published on April 4, 2025. There is no doubt that just two months into the new administration, decisions made from a distance in Washington D.C. are affecting our way of life in Maine. From the uncertainty created by funding and staffing cuts, to market instability due to tariffs,
The federal funding freeze is just one part of the equation resulting from recent federal actions that is affecting farmers. Cuts in crucial programming and mass firings of vital staffing also have a direct impact on farmers. While some funds have been unfrozen and some staff have been temporarily reinstated, the long-term impacts of these
Looking for a good book to read before the whirlwind of spring? Here’s a look back at some of our favorite books reviewed in The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener in 2024. The list includes a book that explores plant intelligence, and another on the intelligence of bees. Plus, others that dive into the history
The Maine Heritage Orchard (MHO), located on MOFGA’s campus in Unity, Maine, is a vibrant preservation project dedicated to protecting the state’s agricultural heritage. As it celebrates its 10th anniversary, the orchard symbolizes environmental stewardship, community collaboration, and educational innovation. What started as an effort to save Maine’s rare, heirloom apple varieties has transformed into
During 2024, MOFGA hosted a cohort of dairy and beef farmers exploring the viability of planting small grains for a fermented forage option to feed their herds in place of imported grain. Over the course of the summer, six different farms hosted learning opportunities around topics that farmers within the cohort expressed concern or curiosity
Uncertainty threatens Maine’s rural communitiesEarlier today, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) held a press conference in South Portland, Maine, to hear from Maine farmers who are among those directly impacted by the federal funding freeze of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) payments. Millions of dollars in USDA funding, including funding for
The last three weeks have been tumultuous and uncertain for farmers, community members, MOFGA staff, and our partners as we’ve been navigating federal funding freezes and the uncertainty of the legality of executive orders that are having sweeping impacts. MOFGA receives funding through 14 federal programs. In 2025, we have about $1 million in our
Organic Orcharding Workshop Series in March and April 2025 The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) will hold workshops on fruit tree care — its annual Organic Orcharding Workshop Series — at locations throughout Maine in March and April, 2025. In this series of beginner-level workshops, community members can learn different skills relevant to
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