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Organic and Sustainable Agriculture News
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Panel clears modified corn Kennebec Journal - 3/6/2010. By Mechele Cooper – Fairfield: The state Board of Pesticides Control agreed Friday to add a new Bt corn product to the list of genetically engineered seeds grown in Maine. Maine now allows 19 Bt products to be planted in fields now that Monsanto, a multinational biotech company, won its bid to register its new Bacillus thuringiensis corn here. Chuck Ravis, professor of environmental science and ecology at Thomas College, was the sole member of the board who voted against the genetically engineered seed. |
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Farmers: ‘Be patient’, don’t plant yet Bangor Daily News - 3/6/2010. By Sharon Kiley Mack – Machias: Got spring fever? With plenty of sun on the way and temperatures near 50 predicted for this weekend, farmers are warning backyard gardeners to rein in their enthusiasm and hold off before planting seeds. “Wait,” advised Lois Labbe of Snakeroot Farm in Pittsfield. |
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Port Clyde co-op helps fishermen make most of catch Bangor Daily News - 3/5/2010. By Heather Steeves – Port Clyde: A group of local fishermen has discovered that a way to do work sustainably also may be what keeps them financially afloat in an era of new, tighter federal regulations and quotas. A dozen commercial fishermen in Port Clyde are allowed to catch fewer fish than ever, but by processing and selling their own catches, the fishermen say they are making more money with less product. And if the fishermen are getting the right price for their work, they don’t have to overfish – which was why the Port Clyde Fresh Catch fishing cooperative was founded in the first place. |
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The true cost of cheap food Resurgence - 3/5/2010. By Timothy Wise – Cheap food causes hunger. On its face, the statement makes no sense. If food is cheaper it’s more affordable and more people should be able to get an adequate diet. That is true for people who buy food, such as those living in cities. But it is quite obviously not true if you’re the one growing the food. You’re getting less for your crops, less for your work, less for your family to live on. That is as true for Vermont dairy farmers as it is for rice farmers in the Philippines. |
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Monsanto seeks state approval for new modified corn Kennebec Journal - 3/5/2010. By Mechele Cooper – Augusta: The state Board of Pesticides Control is considering an application from multinational biotech company Monsanto to register a new genetically engineered corn with a built-in pesticide for use in Maine. Monsanto has applied to register its new Bacillus thuringiensis corn product – also known as Bt corn. In July 2007, the board first approved product registration requests for several Bt field corns. Since then, 18 modified seeds have been allowed to be planted in Maine. The total acreage of Bt corn planted in Maine last year was 4,005. In Kennebec County, 1,837 acres of it were planted – more than any other county. |
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Shrimp season, market strong Bangor Daily News - 3/4/2010. By Bill Trotter – Ellsworth: Shrimpers are having a whale of a season. Well, it might not be that huge, but relatively speaking the amount of shrimp being caught in Maine waters and the price it is fetching on the market are both doing well this year, according to officials. |
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100 percent of fish in US streams found contaminated with mercury Natural News - 3/3/2010. By David Gutierrez – In a new study conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), every single fish tested from 291 freshwater streams across the United States was found to be contaminated with mercury. "This study shows just how widespread mercury pollution has become in our air, watersheds and many of our fish in freshwater streams," said Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. |
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MOFGA is....
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MOFGA's Spring Growth Conference
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March 13, 2010 at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. Details.
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MOFGA's Organic Orcharding Workshops
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A series of 4 day-long sessions, covering theory and hands-on practice in organic fruit tree and orchard management. Designed for beginner to intermediate orchardists managing backyard plantings to larger orchards. Pre-registration is required.
- March 20 - Pruning Fruit Trees and Early Spring Orchard Care
- April 24 - Grafting Fruit Trees
- May 8 - Organic Orcharding 101 With Michael Phillips
- July 31 - Bud Grafting With Delton Curtis
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Seed Swap and Scion Exchange
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| March 27, 2010, from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center. The Maine Tree Crop Alliance, the Maine Seed Saving Network, Fedco and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will host this event. For gardeners and orchardists, it’s like the most wonderful flea market in the world. Not only that but most of the best stuff is free! Details. |
Grow Your Own Organic Garden
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April 1, 2010. Each year MOFGA sponsors this statewide educational event at more than 20 locations in Maine. Classes run from 6 to 9 p.m. The workshops are open to the public and to people of all gardening skill and experience levels. They are designed to provide folks with essential skills and knowledge needed to make a transition from conventional to organic gardening. Details.
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Commercial Kitchen Licensing Workshop
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April 8. SOLD OUT! At Royal River Natural Foods in Freeport. Designed for farmers and others interested in home-food processing for resale. Workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The morning panel presentation will be moderated by Cheryl Wixson, MOFGA's resident chef. Licensing requirements, food safety, and liability insurance will be covered by panel members, including: A representative from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension; Russell Libby, Executive Director of MOFGA; and a representative from the Maine Department of Agriculture. The afternoon program will be dedicated to a discussion of labeling requirements and organic certification requirements with Kate Newkirk, Associate Director MOFGA Certification Services LLC; and a round table sharing of experiences. Registration fee: $25 for MOFGA members and $35 for non-members. Please note: Lunch is not included in this workshop, but is available for purchase at the venue. If you would like to be on a waiting list, please call MOFGA at 568-4142.
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Farm Tractor Workshop
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| April 17 & 18 at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. A hands-on workshop that demystifies tractors and empowers tractor users to operate and maintain their machines more safely, and with greater skill and confidence. Details. |
Farm Training Project Workshops
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We offer these workshops about once a week during the summer. The workshops are designed for participants in MOFGA's Apprenticeship Program, but are free and open to anyone interested. They are intended to give apprentices and other young, beginning, and aspiring farmers the chance to visit other farms, learn from farmers about their areas of expertise, and socialize with peers. The workshops follow an informal format. They generally begin in the late afternoon with a farm tour, followed by a presentation and demonstration on the topic of the day. Participants are then invited to stay for a potluck supper and discussion. Details.
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Common Ground Country Fair
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September 24, 25 & 26, 2010. Always the third weekend after Labor Day. Mark your calendars! This is MOFGA's signature event celebrating Maine's organic harvest. Details.
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The Great Maine Apple Day
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October 23, 2010. Sponsored by MOFGA, Fedco and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Educational workshops and talks. Rare and heirloom apples on display and for tasting. Vendors. Details.
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See the full calendar... |
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PO Box 170
294 Crosby Brook Road
Unity, ME 04988
Phone: 207-568-4142
Fax: 207-568-4141
Email: mofga@mofga.org
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