A day’s harvest from the gardens in the summer of 2017. Tomatoes growing in pots in the heated greenhouse. Compost being windrowed at the Maine State Prison complex. One of the beehives at the Maine State Prison. By Polly Shyka Photos by the Maine State Prison staff Maine’s maximum security prison in Warren has quite the bustling
A concrete center aisle in a greenhouse is easy to clean but less expensive than an entire floor made of concrete. Photo by Stephanie Burnett Unit heaters are less expensive than boilers but can require more maintenance. Photo by Stephanie Burnett The 2018 Spring Growth Conference at MOFGA addressed seedling production – setting up production
Two 150 watt solar panels mounted on hinges allow easy seasonal adjustment of their angle to the sun. They are surprisingly responsive even to low light. Mounting at ground level means easy snow removal. The frame is hinged to large landscape timbers and can slide up the side of the house in case of frost
A well designed label that meets labeling regulations. By Diane Schivera, M.A.T. Labeling of meat and poultry products, including eggs, does not have to be difficult if you follow the directions and the process carefully. Always start with a mock-up of your label for the submittal process. Don’t have it printed until it has been approved. Approval can
Heather, Tyler and Atom Omand resting a few feet away from happy cows at a Cornell agroforestry training at Angus Glenn Farm in Watkins Glen, New York. Black angus cattle eagerly grazing after being released into a fresh paddock in a black locust/black walnut silvopasture system at Angus Glen Farm, Watkins Glen, New York. Photo
Thinking of using grafting wax or compounds on organic fruit trees? Know the NOP rules and, if in doubt, check with your certifier first. English photo By C.J. Walke Over the winter I have been talking with MOFGA Certification Services (MCS) about materials used in organic orchards and fruit tree propagation. As more farmers and
Connect with MOFGA’s Low Impact Forestry Project to learn about carbon sequestration in our woodlands. English photo By Mitch Lansky and Peter Hagerty Years ago the Low Impact Forestry (LIF) Project surveyed MOFGA members who owned forestland. We asked for feedback from landowners, whether they owned 1 acre or 500. The survey was not scientific, but it did reveal that
By Ben Hoffman Minimal tillage is essential for healthy, productive soils. In a seven-year study at the University of Western Australia, total organic carbon in the top 4 inches of soil increased by 1.7 tons/acre with no-till and 1 ton under conservation tillage but decreased by 0.2 tons under rotary tillage. (“Tillage, microbial biomass and
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway. Photo by Miksu on Wikipedia Hundreds of community members exchange seeds and scionwood at MOFGA each April. English photo The beginning of MOFGA’s new seed library. English photo By Will Bonsall The whole topic of biodiversity and, in particular, our horticultural genetic heritage – heirloom seeds – has
This energy efficient Quonset-style building in Waldoboro currently houses black soldier fly larvae, which break down organic byproducts. Bins holding organic materials and maggots are on the left; bins on the right hold waste from food processors. Chris Heinig of Acadia Harvest says, “My goal is to see this operation take in waste and have
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