Schedule
The 2022 Fair dates are September 23, 24, and 25. Please check back in August, or early September, to get a full schedule of events.
Keynotes
We’re thrilled to share the 2021 Common Ground Country Fair Keynote speakers! Each day the Fair will feature a keynote address at 11am.
Karen Washington
Co-Owner and Farmer at Rise & Root Farm; Co-Founder of Black Urban Growers
“Food Justice is More than Growing Food and Feeding People”
People in poor urban and rural communities are told that if they want food security, all they have to do is grow their own vegetables, give up soda, exercise and, as if by magic, eating vegetables and drinking water will solve the food system’s problems, without looking at the institutional, environmental and structural determinants that reinforce racism in today’s society. So does the food system need to be fixed or does it need to change?
Amara Ifeji
Climate Justice Activist
“Food Insecurity and its Interconnectedness to the Climate Crisis”
Amara Ifeji is a 19-year-old systems thinker and climate justice activist committed to advancing equitable access to the outdoors for all youth. Her barriers to access to environmental learning drove her to lead community science learning efforts for youth like herself and conduct internationally awarded climate change research. Through her role with the Maine Environmental Education Association, she strives to empower a network of over 400 youth environmental activists in the Maine Environmental Changemakers and JustME for a JustUS networks. Ifeji also pushes for both state and federal environmental education policy reform through her roles with the Nature Based Education Consortium and the Equity Subcommittee of the Maine Climate Council. In recognition of her work, she was named a National Geographic Young Explorer in 2021 — one of only 24 youth in the world.
Stacy Brenner
Organic Farmer at Broadturn Farm and Maine State Senator
“Farm Viability through Land Justice and Farmworker Rights”
As a farmer and mother, Sen. Stacy Brenner knows the importance of preserving our lands for future generations. Her keynote will focus on her work as a farmer and policymaker to address the effects of climate change, which threaten our ability to grow the food we need and live healthy lives. She’ll also discuss her advocacy work for land preservation, social justice, farm viability, farmworker rights, and green energy solutions that provide good-paying jobs in our community.
