Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on September 01, 2006
This year MOFGA celebrates its 37th anniversary, and the Common Ground Country Fair is 32 years old. We are solidly middle-aged, thanks to the youthful energy of our early founders, a $10,000 Kendall Foundation grant that helped establish our paid staff, a first Fair that was supposed to attract 2,000 and help pay the bills for a few more months but ended up with 10,000 participants, a dedicated and hardworking staff, and, most amazingly and wonderfully, thousands of joyful volunteers. Here are some highlights from our three-plus decades.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on September 01, 2006
One way or another, whenever September rolls around, I find myself at the Fair. Although I’ve never served as Fair Director or been on the Fair Steering Committee, I have had the privilege of participating in a number of different ways, and the good fortune of never missing a Fair. I’ve also been keeping a journal these past 30 years. Recently I took a trip through the dust on the living room shelf to reminisce.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on June 01, 2006
On March 9, 2006, Jerry Sass of North Anson donated his homestead and 75 acres of carefully managed forest to MOFGA. As part of his gift, Sass plans to stay on the homestead and manage the woods as long as he is able. MOFGA is to hold the property and continue to manage the woods according to Sass’ principles into the future.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on December 01, 2005
You may have seen the fun fact signs on your way to the Fair this year. These tidbits make great conversation and show the importance of our organization. Here they are for your pondering.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on September 01, 2005
At Peace Action Maine’s 14th Annual Peace Supper, which took place in February at Woodford’s Church in Portland, MOFGA received a very special recognition and honor. Peace Action presented its 2005 Peacemaker Organization Award to MOFGA, highlighting our work on and support of sustainability with respect to one of our most basic needs – food.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on September 01, 2005
On June 8, Governor Baldacci hosted a small meeting of MOFGA representatives (John Bunker, Spencer Aitel, Sharon Tisher and Russell Libby) and Department of Agriculture officials (Commissioner Robert Spear, Deputy Commissioner Ned Porter) to discuss possibilities for organic agriculture in Maine.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on December 01, 2004
O’Naturals in Portland offers the perfect break from last-minute holiday shopping, the perfect alternative to slow food during a fast-paced season, and a great holiday gift for MOFGA: On Monday, Dec. 20, [2004], from 4 to 8 p.m., O’Naturals – known for its quality, organic, promptly served food – will donate 10% of the evening’s proceeds to our organization, and customers will have a chance to enter a 50/50 raffle as well!
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on December 01, 2004
MOFGA has joined a new coalition of Maine environmental, health and labor groups committed to reducing Maine citizens’ exposures to toxic chemicals.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on March 01, 2004
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) received $7,500 in December from the King and Jean Cummings Charitable Trust Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to support MOFGA’s Helping Dairy Farmers to Enter Specialty Markets program.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on September 01, 2003
 The Beehive Collective is offering MOFGA an unusual present. As a tribute to MOFGA and its contributions to agriculture, the Machias-based collective is designing a stone mosaic depicting contemporary agriculture at a critical crossroads. The mosaic will illustrate the history of agriculture and contrast the sustainable path that MOFGA practices and promotes with the unsustainable road of industrial, biotech-based agriculture.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on June 01, 2003
Volunteer Committees at MOFGA: How You Can Get More Involved in the Association
Board and Related Administrative Committees
• MOFGA Board of Directors
• Executive Committee
• Nominating Committee
• Finance Committee
Agricultural Services
• Agricultural Services Committee
Public Policy
• Public Policy Committee
• MOFGA-El Salvador Sistering Committee
Fundraising
• Fundraising Committee
Educational Programs
• Educational Programs Committee
• Orchard Committee
• Low Impact Forestry Committee
• Publications Committee
• Events Committee
Common Ground Country Fair
• Fair Steering Committee
• Fair Food Committee
Buildings and Grounds
• Buildings and Grounds Committee
• Landscaping Committee
• Farm Committee
MOFGA Certification Services LLC
• MOFGA Certification Services LLC Board of Directors
• Certification Advisory Committee
• LLC Review Committee for Dairy Farms
• LLC Review Committee for Large Farms
• LLC Review Committee for Processors
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on June 01, 2003
“I see a roomful of radicals asking you to act conservatively, and a few conservatives asking you to act radically.” Lisa Turner, an organic vegetable grower and president of MOFGA, elicited a roomful of cheers and applause with this remark at a hearing on a moratorium on genetically engineered foods in April.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on March 01, 2003
 This is my first official missive to the MOFGA membership since taking on my new position as Operations Director. I have absolutely loved my experience working on the Fair for the past several years, but am ready for new challenges and excited about the ongoing efforts to improve our day-to-day activities in the office, working with committees and reaching out to all of the individuals and groups who embrace MOFGA’s goals and ideals.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on March 01, 2003
The only thing that surpasses the superb information shared at MOFGA and Extension’s Farmer to Farmer Conference each November is the savory food. Or is it the other way around? Or, simply, the best of both?
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on March 01, 2003
In mid-January MOFGA reached its $3.1 million goal in its first capital campaign! The support of nearly 3000 members and friends helped us do something we have dreamed of for years: create a permanent home and fairgrounds.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on December 01, 2002
 • Maine Chefs Serve Scrumptious Creations at MOFGA’s Movable Feast
• Maasai Tribesman Joseph Kipila Visits Maine
• Join MOFGA’s Journeyperson Program
• Grow Your Own Organic Garden
• Last Row to Hoe – Only $135,000 left to raise in MOFGA’s $3.1 million Capital Campaign
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on September 01, 2002
The new home of MOFGA and the Common Ground Country Fair, in Unity, Maine, has been made possible largely by the generosity of its members, and it is nearly complete. In 1998 we held our first Fair at Common Ground, and in 2000 we moved MOFGA’s offices into the main building on the site. In 2001 we welcomed our first journeypeople in residence at the brand new homestead.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on September 01, 2002
• 2002 Farmer to Farmer Conference
• First Maine Food Festival
• Heather Fisher and Daughter Fiona Join Fair Summer Staff
• Low Impact Forestry Management Workshop
• Maine’s Moveable Feast
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on June 01, 2002
Over the last five years, MOFGA has grown substantially in membership, in the number of farms certified organic, and in influence in the world of agriculture. In response to this growth, MOFGA has built a home for itself and for its annual Common Ground Country Fair in Unity, Maine. We call it Common Ground.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on June 01, 2002
As Eric Rector wrote in his President's Letter, the incredible generosity of all of our supporters has enabled MOFGA to create its home in Unity. Since I began working on the capital campaign in September 2000, numerous MOFGA members and friends have offered their time, expertise and money to help complete the final phase of our campaign.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on December 01, 2001
MOFGA has just successfully completed its 25th Anniversary Common Ground Country Fair, the fourth fair that has been held at our magnificent new permanent Common Ground in Unity, Maine. I want to thank our membership for their generous gifts to the Capital Campaign that made Common Ground, a year-round learning center for organic agriculture, possible.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on September 01, 2001
MOFGA has wrapped up its busiest, and arguably most productive, legislative session ever. Of the seven legislative proposals on which MOFGA testified, five went the way we hoped.
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Posted by MOFGApedia Editor on September 01, 2001
Four years ago, MOFGA embarked on the last legs of a journey, a journey to a new home for the Common Ground Country Fair. We made fast progress on the physical part – the infrastructure and buildings you see when you visit us in Unity.
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