Committees and Chapters
Committees
Since its inception volunteers have played a vital role in the spirit and success of MOFGA. As the organization has grown over its first 50 years the types of roles that volunteers play has shifted as the staff, and organization, have grown. There are many ways to interact and meaningfully contribute to various programs year round. One way to participate is by serving on a committee. Volunteer committee members adhere to the organization’s volunteer and program committee guidelines and assist program area staff in an advisory capacity. MOFGA invites volunteers of diverse backgrounds and views to join our committees and offer valuable perspective to our staff as we work toward our strategic impact goals.
The Buildings & Grounds Committee develops long-term planning strategies for the facilities at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center and the 250+ acres that go along with it. The Committee develops and oversees a budget for maintenance and new projects, and meets regularly to help the administrative staff prioritize projects. For information, contact our Buildings & Grounds Director Jason Tessier.
Fair
The Fair Committee works in coordination with staff to put on the annual Common Ground Country Fair. For more information contact Common Ground Country Fair Director April Boucher.
The Low Impact Forestry Committee oversees MOFGA’s woodlands for the purposes of sustainable harvesting, instruction about safe and appropriate woodsworking skills, and demonstration of proper forest management practices. These activities take place primarily during the Common Ground Country Fair in September and the Low Impact Forestry Workshop in November. Anyone interested in joining the Low-Impact Forestry Committee should contact Maddie Eberly.
Through workshops and demonstration orchards, this committee teaches organic orcharding to the MOFGA membership and the public at large. Volunteers may help maintain the demonstration orchards at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center and may also assist with organizing workshops. Anyone interested in joining MOFGA’s Orchard Committee should contact Orchard Manager C.J. Walke.
The Public Policy Committee reviews existing and pending federal and state legislation relevant to organic gardening and farming, sustainable agriculture, natural resource protection, and food safety, and, makes the results of this review known to the Board of Directors. The Committee may introduce and support legislation and it occasionally drafts and disseminates action alerts to MOFGA’s membership. The Committee often needs help writing op/eds and letters to editors, and drafting and circulating action alerts relating to specific pieces of legislation or committee hearings. The committee also takes a leadership role in organizing the Public Policy Teach-in at the Common Ground Country Fair. Anyone interested in joining the Public Policy Committee should contact Deputy Director Heather Spalding.
Many MOFGA committee meetings are being held via Zoom currently. This offers a great and easy way for new members to explore a committee of interest. Meetings are called and facilitated by staff and many take place monthly.
Chapters
- 1281 Southgate Rd, Argyle, ME 04468
- 207-745-4797
- [email protected]
- PO Box 2, East Wilton, ME 04234
- 207-778-5717
- [email protected]
If you are interested in starting a new MOFGA chapter, please send a proposal to MOFGA’s Community Engagement Coordinator, Timothy Boston, stating the geographic or economic sector to be served, the proposed frequency of meetings, and any other relevant information to assist in determining approval of the chapter.
Any MOFGA member may request that the Board of Directors recognize a new chapter to serve their local area. Likewise, any group of members may ask the Board of Directors to recognize a new chapter that is focused on a particular agricultural economic sector. Such chapters may have membership requirements that are more restrictive than the general membership requirements for MOFGA, as long as said requirements focus on clearly defining the membership of the chapter based on agricultural economics or activities.
