Archives: Stories

Volunteer Fall 2012

Fred Robie. English photo. By Hannah Kreitzer If you happen to be among the hundreds who arrive at the Common Ground Country Fair on a bicycle, you’re sure to be greeted with much fanfare, reduced price of admission, and valet parking for your vehicle. You also stand a good chance of encountering Fred Robie. Robie,

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Long Meadow Farm

Human power! From left to right: apprentice Kate Harris with rake, manager Jon Ault with shovel, and apprentices Brenna Peak and Jim Church with a broadfork and pick mattock. Photo courtesy of Long Meadow Farm. By Holli Cederholm Long Meadow Farm, located in West Gardiner, Maine, demonstrates a sustainable agriculture system based on low-input, low-tech

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Jack London

Jack London’s Pig Palace. Photo courtesy of Jack London State Historic Park, https://jacklondonpark.com/. By John Koster Superstitious windjammer sailors once believed that mentioning the word “pigs” was bad luck, but for some Duroc Jerseys at Glen Ellen, California, one old-time windjammer sailor was very good luck indeed. Jack London’s “Pig Palace” was one of the

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Forever Farms

Juniper Edge Farm in Brunswick is a Forever Farm. By Jo Anne Bander Driving by the pastures, farms and orchards of rural Maine or along the more urban Route 90 in Rockport, a simple green and white round sign saying “Forever Farm” catches the eye. A program of Maine Farmland Trust (MFT), each sign designates

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Volunteer Sue Buck

“I love the Information Booth,” says Sue Buck. “We mostly see very happy people who are just trying to find something.” Even with the traffic problems at the new site last fall, “people were mostly accepting and patient.” Sue has co-coordinated the information booth at the Common Ground Fair for the past two years. Before

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North Creek Farm

Suzy Verrier and her partner Kai Jacob have built up North Creek Farm in Sebasco, where they raise vegetables, perennials and nursery stock. Jane Lamb photo. By Jane Lamb Need proof of the efficacy of compost? Look no further than North Creek Farm, Suzy Verrier’s homestead, retail nursery, garden store and vegetable stand in Sebasco.

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Avena Botanicals

Deb Soule of Avena Botanicals in front of the new building at the herbal business. English photo. By Jean English Over nearly three decades, Avena Botanicals in Rockport, Maine, steadily has grown a 3-acre garden, a business and a reputation for quality herbal products – teas, tinctures, salves and more – all from 1,000 pounds

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Groundswell Farm: Toward a Sustainable Organic Seed System

Mike Bowman and Maria Reynolds of Groundswell Farm at their booth at the Common Ground Country Fair. English photo. By Holli Cederholm Mike Bowman and Maria Reynolds named their Groundswell Farm after their farming ideology and the topography of the 7 acres they are leasing in Solon, Maine. Their 4 acres of MOFGA certified organic

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New Beat Farm

Adrienne Lee and Ken Lamson farm to a new beat – with a combination of horse and human power. Photos courtesy of New Beat Farm. Young Farmers Integrate Horse Power into a Modern System By Holli Cederholm Farming with horses requires a different rhythm, attest Adrienne Lee and Ken Lamson while reflecting on the name

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Lessons Learned

Toki Oshima illustration Half a Dozen Books With Garden Themes By Sue Smith-Heavenrich A few summers ago the local weekly was promoting a garden contest to keep kids “off the streets and doing something worthwhile.” I wasn’t interested in encouraging my children to grow giant zucchinis, but I was interested in the free seeds. They

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