The Common Ground Country Fair annually draws some 60,000 attendees to celebrate rural living in Unity, Maine. From partaking in the bounty of the harvest — whether by stocking up at the farmers’ markets or filling up on Fair fare — to learning about organic gardening and sustainable living, to basking in the fall season with music and dancing, each and every fairgoer has a favorite way to enjoy this beloved event. If you’re like me, you’ll want to review the schedule (starting on page 32) well in advance, charting out your course for what will surely be three very full days.

I build my plan around the keynote speeches, which are presented each day at 11 a.m. on the common. This year’s speakers will address topics of importance to us all: including the significance of dairy farms to landscapes and communities; solutions and possibilities for climate change; and the need for resilient farms for resilient futures (see page 28 for details). If you aren’t able to make it to the Fair, the keynotes will be broadcast live through a partnership with WERU Community Radio. Tune in to 89.9 FM or visit weru.org to listen. You’ll also find coverage of the keynote speeches in the winter issue of The MOF&G. Another must-see on my itinerary is MOFGA’s Public Policy Teach-In (see page 29). This year I’m looking forward to hearing from panelists on how Maine’s youth are taking action on issues of food and climate justice — and learning more about what steps we all can be taking to help build an inclusive and responsive movement.

Like the rest of MOFGA staff, my weekend includes time spent behind the scenes of the Fair — as the event requires “all hands on deck.” From welcoming fairgoers at the gates and streamlining admittance, to selling Common Ground Country Fair merchandise at the Country Store, to overseeing specific areas of the Fair, MOFGA staff are busy ensuring that the event runs smoothly for all. Many staff also offer presentations throughout the weekend; you can stop by the MOFGA Tent to connect with them and learn more about MOFGA’s mission and work. In addition to repeat favorites — for example, Caleb Goossen’s Organic Vegetable Q&A, Jack Kertesz’s DIY Weird & Wacky Wire Weeders, and Growing Cannabis Organically with MOFGA Certification Services — the 2024 Fair line-up also includes Climate Café meet-ups, a Queer Gardener & Homesteader Get Together, and a Recipe Share & Collective Zine Making. Another fun addition this year: Little Chair Printing will offer MOFGA Member T-Shirt Screen Printing. Check the schedule for more information, including the location of these workshops and talks.

The Common Ground Country Fair truly is a labor of love, on behalf of MOFGA’s staff and board, thousands of volunteers, and all the farmers, producers, and vendors who come together to celebrate. I hope this Fair edition of The MOF&G helps you plan your visit. Starting last year, we stopped handing out The MOF&G at the gates — opting instead to distribute a smaller, fair-specific guide to the Fair to help reduce printing resources, costs, and waste. By planning ahead and bringing your MOF&G schedule and map, you can forego taking a fairbook at the gates (unless you really want one!). All Fair content is available on mofga.org, and you can choose to go paperless and download a pdf of The MOF&G and/or the fairbook to your phone, or consult the online schedule (which is the most up-to-date version).