MOFGA Gather & Grow event; 6 p.m., CCAR, 33 Salmon Farm Rd., Franklin, Maine. The sea vegetable nursery at the University of Maine's Center for Cooperative Aquaculture Research (CCAR) supports the development of the new sea vegetable aquaculture industry in Maine through research, development, and seed provision of native sea vegetable species, including sugar kelp, skinny kelp, winged kelp, dulse, and laver. The nursery has been organically certified through MOFGA since 2016, and will be offering organic seed for sale this year. For more information see the website: https://umaine.edu/cooperative-aquaculture/sea-vegetables-3/. Entrance is by donation. For information, contact Anna Libby at alibby@mofga.org

MOFGA Farm Training Project workshop: Tuesday, 5 p.m., Whatley Farm, Topsham. Effective ecological pest control starts with a farm system design based on the fundamental principles of diversity and complexity. Join Dave Colson, MOFGA's Agricultural Services Director, and farmer Ben Whatley for a comprehensive perspective on managing pests in organic vegetable systems. Potluck to follow. Schedule of 2017 FTP workshops.

MOFGA Gather & Grow event; 5:30 p.m., Avant Gardens, West Gardiner. Avant Gardens is an experiment in retirement homesteading. On just less than 2 acres, Adam Tomash and June Zellers have fruit trees, berry bushes, grapes, asparagus, bees, pollinator gardens, and a thriving organic vegetable garden. Their aim is to grow almost all their own fruits and vegetables in a sustainable manner. The address is 751 High Street, West Gardiner, Maine. Entrance is by donation. For information, contact Anna Libby at alibby@mofga.org

Wednesday, 5 p.m., Hope's Edge Farm, Hope. Biodynamics is a mystical, holistic approach to agriculture that has something to offer every farmer and gardener. Join host Tom Griffin for an introduction to the Biodynamic approach, and see how he incorporates it into his operation. Potluck to follow. Schedule of 2017 FTP workshops.

MOFGA Gather & Grow event; 5:30 p.m., Friends' Folly Farm, Monmouth. Join us for an evening at a fiber focused farm. Meet the Angora goats, tour the fiber processing mill, visit our yurt which includes fiber products and vintage treasures. Then sample a light meal featuring goat meat chili and homemade bread & cheese. For directions go to: friendsfollyfarm.com. Just off Route 202 in Monmouth. Entrance is by donation. For information, contact Anna Libby at alibby@mofga.org

MOFGA Farm Training Project workshop: Wednesday, 5 p.m., New Beat Farm, Knox. Using animals for draft power has a number of economic, environmental and social benefits; but it is not easy. Sandy Meadow Farm relies on draft power for all aspects of their operation – from tillage to haying to woods work. Come learn the basics of this genuinely solar-based system of farming. Potluck to follow. Schedule of 2017 FTP workshops.

MOFGA Farmer to Farmer in the Field event: Monday, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Bumbleroot Organic Farm, 196 Highland Cliff Rd., Windham. Join the UMaine Extension Soil Health team, MOFGA staff, and various seed and equipment dealers at this Soil Health Field Day. Events include: touring summer cover crop and cover crop mix demo plots; demonstrations of implements for cover crop management and cultivation that are designed for improving soil health; measuring soil health. We will look at methods for testing your soil health and determining what the results tell you.

MOFGA Farm Training Project workshop: 5 p.m., Seven Tree Farm, Vassalboro. Roberta Bailey of Fedco Seeds operates Seven Tree Farm, 18 acres with three field plots, an orchard and grape arbor and many fruit and berry plantings. The farm also includes a solar house, root cellar, and many post and beam buildings, including a new barn and woodworking shop. The focus of their operation is to grow much of our food and to raise commercial seed crops on a small farm scale. Seed crops can work well with the home garden or the field production gardens, further diversifying a farm operation's income and securing seed supply in some situations. The talk will focus on interplanting seed crops in your gardens or field plots, using the by-products of the crop for food production or value added products to sell, and on basic seed saving and plant genetics, crop nutrition, rotations, isolations, and how to harvest and dry seed. The talk will cover biennials such as beets and carrots as well. Potluck to follow.

MOFGA Farm Training Project workshop: Weds., 5 p.m., Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson. Woodlots are a ubiquitous, and essential part of farms in Maine. Whether the forest provides a heat source for your home and greenhouse, vital habitat for pollinators, foraging potential for livestock, maple syrup, or lumber for your buildings it must be managed with skill and vision. Hidden Valley Nature Center manages 1,000+ acres of forest for diverse purposes and you're invited to tour a portion of their activity with HVNC Director Andy Bezon. This workshop will emphasize the need for creativity at the intersection of field and forest, as well as a look at innovative tools, equipment, and processes. HVNC works in collaboration with MOFGA's Low Impact Forestry Project and aims to promote the thoughtful and sustainable inclusion of forests into the future of farms in Maine. HVNC was named the 2014 Outstanding Tree Farm in Maine. Potluck to follow. Schedule of 2017 FTP workshops.

MOFGA Gather & Grow event; 5:30 p.m., Super Chilly Farm, Palermo. Join famed apple expert John Bunker and Cammy Watts at their homestead in Palermo to explore their orchards and learn more about Maine's apple heritage. Entrance is by donation. For information, contact Anna Libby at alibby@mofga.org

MOFGA Farm Training Project workshop: 5 p.m., Toddy Pond Farm, Monroe. In recent decades, many small dairy farms have had to 'get big or get out' as the rising cost of operating a small scale, pasture based dairy has grown beyond economic sustainability. In order to become profitable, many producers have gotten creative—by diversification, value-added production, and innovative marketing strategies. Toddy Pond Farm is a small, diversified, family-run dairy operation of grass-fed Jersey and Guernsey cows in Monroe. Come see how farmers Greg and Heidi Purinton-Brown have designed the business model of the farm to ensure long term economic sustainability. They produce yogurt, kefir, cheese, and ice cream, along with honey, sheep, guinea hogs, meat chickens and eggs. Learn about their marketing strategies for this diversified operation and how the different aspects of the farm compliment each other. Potluck to follow.

MOFGA Farm Training Project workshop: Weds., 5 p.m., Old Wells Farm, Limington. MOFGA estimates that Maine needs about 150 new farmers each year just to maintain the infrastructure required to support our local food system – so every new farm operation in Maine is a reason to celebrate! But, it's becoming increasingly difficult to get started in farming. Join Dylan and Alaena, along with several of MOFGA's current Journeypersons, as they share their insights and enthusiasm about how they are managing their first few years farming independently. Several key service providers will also discuss how their programs can help. If you are considering farming for a living, please come and contribute to this important discussion. Potluck to follow.