Fair Page

Volunteer for the 2000 Common Ground Country Fair

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I'm interested in volunteering at MOFGA's Common Ground. Please send more information.

Name____________________________________Phone___________________

Address__________________________________________________________

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skills / interests:

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), PO Box 170, Unity, ME 04988, Phone: 207-568-4142, Fax: 207-568-4141, Email: cgcf@mofga.org

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Share your skills or learn something new as a volunteer at the 2000 Common Ground Country Fair. We need hundreds of volunteers for our annual celebration of rural living. The Fair dates are September 22, 23 & 24. MOFGA also seeks volunteers for set-up (September 16 - 21), and clean-up, September 25 - October 8. For each four-hour shift, volunteers earn free admission to the Fair and a volunteer T-shirt. Additional shifts earn additional benefits.

Volunteers are the core of the unique community atmosphere at the Common Ground Country Fair. What do they do? Everything. A short list includes: organize events year round, write advance articles, paint signs, mark out booth spaces, build shelves, prepare meals, paint kids’ faces, move and distribute equipment and supplies, put up fences and shelving, make costumes for kids to wear in the Garden Parade, help kids dress up for the Garden Parade, collect and sort trash, announce events, park cars, give information, coordinate other volunteers, staff the exhibition hall, dismantle the entire Fair and pack everything up for next year -- in short, just about anything and everything necessary to make the Common Ground Country Fair happen.

To receive a volunteer registration form, send your name and address to Common Ground Country Fair Volunteers, PO Box 170, Unity, ME 04988. Or call 207-568-4142. Or email cgcf@mofga.org

Calling All Shopfronts

Would you like to help us publicize this year's Common Ground Country Fair? We will begin distributing posters for the 2000 Fair soon, and we need names and locations of good public viewing locales. If you have any suggestions, or if you would like to help us deliver posters, give us a call at 568-4142. Thanks!

Calling All Maine Artists

The Fair artwork contest for the 2001 Fair will begin in June 2000. If you would like to submit artwork for the contest, please contact the Fair office for a registration form and contest guidelines. The address is PO Box 170, Unity, Maine. Phone: 207-568-4142. Email: .cgcf@mofga.org. The selected artwork will be featured on the 2001 Fair poster, T-Shirt, and promotional literature. Newspaper articles and press releases will focus on the artist and the artwork. The winning artist will receive $1,000.00.

The contest is open to Maine residents and MOFGA members (regardless of residence) only. Artists may submit two entries. All entries must arrive in the MOFGA office by 4 p.m. on August 10, 2000. Selection will be made by September 1, 2000. MOFGA will retain full rights to the design.

This year's poster will be on sale at the Fair for $11.00. If Kirsten Moorhead’s geese poster doesn't sell out, it will become a collector's item and the price will go up to $15.00.

Agricultural Demonstrations and Workshops Being Planned For 2000 Fair

MOFGA's new home in Unity holds unlimited potential for the Agricultural Demonstration Program of the Common Ground Country Fair. Last year, we were able to host hands-on workshops and demonstrations that really made a positive impact on the site itself. Some of the big accomplishments included field and cover crop maintenance, woodlot improvements, compost turning, and using soil amendments in field plots and orchards. We also had our traditional presentations in the Agricultural Demonstration tents. If you have an idea for an demonstration or talk, please contact the Fair office with a suggestion, request, or offer to coordinate a presentation. We are now developing the program for this year, and we really would like to hear from you. Please contact us soon so that we can list your presentation in this year's Fairbook.

School Groups Wanted to Help With Fair Clean-up

When the Fair is over and most people have gone home, a great deal of work remains to be done. Volunteers for clean-up are very special folks whom we hold in extra-high esteem. For the past couple of years, school groups have attended the Fair free during the weekend and returned after the Fair to help with some of the major clean-up projects. If you are a teacher or student and would like to pitch in, please let us know. We will provide a meal and a volunteer t-shirt for each student on the day of his or her volunteer shift. Volunteering for clean-up allows students plenty of time to explore the Fair during the weekend. We appreciate any help you can give. Please contact Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), PO Box 170, Unity, ME 04988, Phone: 207-568-4142, Fax: 207-568-4141, Email: cgcf@mofga.org.

Help and Have Fun at Common Ground This Summer

Ahh, do you remember that delicious supper around a spontaneous campfire in the Summer of 1999? Some of the best company and food to be found... If you weren't one of the fortunate volunteers there for that, you'll have another chance this year.

Yes, it's time once again to work on projects at MOFGA's Common Ground--and we need you to make it happen. Not only is it a good time, but a LOT of work gets done as well. This year we're trying to be more organized so that a schedule is in place. (If it turns out that none of the scheduled times work for you, just call and we'll work something out). Every Wednesday from May 17 through October 25, volunteers will be getting together to tackle projects from about 4:00 - 8:00. Come at any time, any Wednesday you can, and join in. Starting on May 13 &14 and going through August 12 &13, larger scale projects will be tackled each second weekend of the month. Come when you can and leave when you must.

We're looking for volunteers at all ability levels. If you feel "skillfully challenged" there are sous chef positions in the kitchen, and we're trying to find out if volunteers are needed to provide child care for families who couldn't otherwise participate. Projects will include a lot of carpentry of all skill levels, landscaping and grounds work (including a Plant a Row for the Hungry Garden), cleaning, painting, making costumes for the Garden Parade and some electrical/mechanical work. We also need coordinators to organize various projects.

Weekend volunteers can come for a few hours, a day, or pitch a tent on one of our primitive but picturesque tent sites and stay the weekend. After a day of hard work, we'll kick back in the evening -- bring musical instruments and other entertainment. Snacks, lunch and supper will be provided on weekends. To help in meal planning, please let us know the week before that you plan to volunteer for a specific weekend. If you're interested in child care, please talk with Susan.

If you would like to volunteer but these times don't fit your schedule, call the MOFGA office to chat with Susan or Rick about other options. There will always be a place for you.

Exhibition Hall Rules

Schedule

• Thursday, September 21. Exhibition Hall open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Entries in all categories accepted.
• Friday, September 22. Entries accepted from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. Exhibition Hall open to fairgoers from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Judging begins at 10 a.m. and continues through the day.
• Saturday, September 23. Entries for the Children’s Apple Pie Contest and the Natural Dessert Contest will be accepted until noon. Judging at 1 p.m. Exhibition Hall open to fairgoers from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
• Sunday, September 24. Exhibition Hall open to fairgoers from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Please leave exhibits in place as late as possible, and remove them as soon after 5 p.m. as possible.

Eligibility

• Soil fertility is achieved and maintained by using green manures, compost, animal manures and rock powders, seaweed, etc... Chemical fertilizers are not permitted;
• Insects are controlled by crop rotation, predators, traps, biological insecticides or mechanical barriers. Synthetic pesticides and natural poisons with long-term effects are not permitted;
• Weeds are controlled by crop rotation, green manures, mulching and cultivation. Synthetic herbicides are not permitted.

General Rules for Submitting Entries

Judging Criteria for Vegetables and Fruits, Canned and Dried Foods, and Herbs

• Fedco Seeds, PO Box 520, Waterville, ME 04903-0520. Phone 207-873-7333
• Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Foss Hill Road, Albion, ME 04910. Phone: 207-437-9294
• Maine Seed Savers Network, PO Box 126, Penobscot, ME 04476
• Pine Tree Garden Seeds, PO Box 300, New Gloucester, ME 04260 Phone: 207-926-3400
• Heritage Stock & Seed, HCR 72, Box 5430, E. Waterboro, ME 04030

Special Exhibition Hall Categories

• Great Pumpkin (by weight). Open to all ages. This category is for entries from the Cucurbita pepo species; this species includes acorn squash, summer squash, and the small gourds, as well as pumpkins. The stems are hard, with five sharply angled sides. Connecticut Field is an example of a very large variety.
• Biggest Squash (by weight). Cucurbita maxima; besides the giant pumpkin-like squash Atlantic Giant, this species includes Buttercup, Banana, Hubbard, and Turban squash. The stem is round and corky.
• Great Zucchini (by weight). Common Ground Country Fair’s answer to what to do with the one that got away!
• Biggest Cabbage (by weight). One head cut from the roots, but including the wrapper leaves.
• Big Beet (by weight). Tops should be neatly removed.
• Giant Cuke (by weight).
• The Whatever Contest (vegetable oddities).

Prepared Food Competitions

• Children’s Apple Pie Contest. Any school age or preschool age child who arrives at the ticket gate on Saturday morning with an apple pie in hand will get in free, providing he or she created the pie and is accompanied by a paying adult. Entries must be in the Exhibition Hall and registered by noon on Saturday. Competitors must use ingredients that comply with the Common Ground Country Fair food guidelines (included below). Judging is at 1 p.m.
• Natural Dessert Competition. Competitors must use ingredients that comply with the Common Ground Country Fair food guidelines (included below). Entries must be in the Exhibition Hall and registered by noon on Saturday. Judging is at 1 p.m. Guidelines for Ingredients for Pie and Natural Dessert Competitions: These guidelines are taken from the Common Ground Country Fair Policy and Guidelines Statement. They are the items that pertain most to desserts that are entered in the Exhibition Hall. For a complete copy of the food guidelines for the Fair, contact the MOFGA Office.
• All ingredients used must be organic, and either Maine-grown or purchased through Maine coops, Maine natural food stores, or other Maine dealers. Due to the continuing export of dangerous agricultural chemicals banned in this country, we require that any fruits and vegetables not grown in Maine but purchased through Maine dealers at least be grown in the United States.
• No caffeine, including that found in tea or chocolate, is permitted. Acceptable sweeteners include Maine honey, maple syrup and barley malt. White sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, Sucanat, and fructose are not allowed.
• We recommend whole-grain flours. Bleached or bromated white flour is not acceptable. Up to 50% unbleached white flour may be used where necessary, but the less, the better. Filo leaves are the only exception to this rule.
• Oils must be expeller pressed and low in saturated fat. No hydrogenation, additives or preservatives will be permitted with any oil.
• Please limit the use of salt and related ingredients.
• No chemical additives.

Organic Farm Exhibits

MOFGA Chapter Exhibits

Fruits and Vegetables

Vegetables

• Artichokes: one would be great! Go for it!
• Beans: at least six pods of snap or runner beans, or one cup of shelled or dry beans. Include name of variety.
• Beets: sample of five small or three large, named variety.
• Broccoli: one head, named variety.
• Brussels Sprouts: bowl of five, named variety.
• Carrots: sample of five, named variety.
• Cauliflower: one head, named variety.
• Celery: one complete head, named variety.
• Corn: sample of three ears, named variety: field corn, dent; field corn, flint; sweet corn, white; sweet corn, yellow; sweet corn, bi-colored; popcorn; other.
• Cucumbers: sample of three, not overripe, named variety.
• Eggplant: sample of three small or one large, named variety.
• Garlic: three knobs, named variety.
• Gourds: sample of three small or one large, named variety.
• Ground Cherries: sample of five, named variety.
• Jerusalem Artichokes: sample of three tubers, named variety.
• Kale: sample of 10 complete leaves, named variety.
• Kohlrabi: sample of three small or one large, named variety.
• Leeks: sample of three, named variety.
• Mangels: sample of three small or one large, named variety.
• Onions: sample of five small or three large; yellow storage type; sweet Spanish type; red; white; pickling or cocktail; scallion; shallots; Egyptian; potato onion.
• Parsnips: sample of three, named variety.
• Peas: one plate or bowl sample: peas in a pod for shelling (six pods); edible podded (six pods {includes Sugarsnaps}); dry (one cup shelled).
• Peppers: sample of five small or three large, named variety: green; sweet red; yellow; hot; other.
• Potatoes: sample of five small or three large, named variety.
• Pumpkin: sample of one named variety; field; pie; other.
• Rutabaga: sample of one, named variety.
• Squash: Summer, sample of three, named variety (includes edible gourds).
• Squash: Winter, sample of one, named variety.
• Tomatillos: sample of five, named variety.
• Tomatoes: ripe only; sample of five small, three large, or a complete cluster, named variety.
• Turnip: sample of one, named variety.
• Any other vegetable not listed here, sample of five small or three large, to receive the same premium judged by type and variety.

Fruits

• Apples: crabapples; green, red, or yellow apples
• Apricots
• Cranberries: one bowl sample (about 1 pint)
• Grapes: one bunch sample
• Melon: sample of one
• Peaches
• Pears
• Plums
• Raspberries: one pint basket
• Strawberries: one pint basket; alpine or standard
• Watermelon: sample of one
• Any other fruit to receive the same premium by variety or type

Nuts

• Butternuts
• Chestnuts
• Hazelnuts
• Walnuts
• Any other type to receive the same premiums.

Grains

• Amaranth (sample of three small or one large)
• Buckwheat
• Millet
• Oats
• Rye
• Sunflower seed heads (sample of three small or one large)
• Wheat
• Other

Home Canned Foods

• Fruits, 1 jar
• Vegetables, 1 jar
• Jams, Jellies or Marmalades, 1 jar
• Catsups, Chutneys, Relishes, Sauces and other condiments, 1 jar
• Pickles: sweet; sour, 1 jar
• Meat or Fish, 1 jar

Home Dried Foods and Culinary Herbs

• Fruit and fruit leathers
• Vegetables
• Granola, cereals
• Herbs: dried/prepared; cut, ground, powdered, or crushed leaves; seeds
• Meats: jerky
• Other

Homemade Beverages, Vinegars and Syrups

• Syrups: Maple, other
• Vinegars: Homemade wine or fruit vinegars. Label should indicate live cultures or pasteurized.
• Flavored Vinegars: Label should indicate flavor and vinegar source; homemade fruit, wine, or commercial.
• Apple Cider: Label should indicate apple variety, if known. Cider will be tasted by judges.
• Beers: herbal; root; other (examples: Sarsaparilla, Ginger, Spruce, Birch, Dandelion, Nettle). Samples will be tasted by judges.

Home Baked Goods

• Bread; Whole wheat; rye; white (specify flours); other dark (specify flours); fancy or sweet; quick; other; one loaf.
• Rolls, biscuits, muffins; plate of five
• Cakes; loaf; layer; coffee cake; other
• Cookies; plate of five
• Pies: single crust; double crust

Eggs

• Hens eggs, white, one dozen
• Hens eggs, brown, one dozen
• Hens eggs, other colors, one dozen
• Ducks eggs, one dozen
• Other eggs, one dozen

Honey & Beeswax Products

• Extracted honey; 1 pint or larger jar
• Comb Honey
• Creamed Honey; 1 pint or larger container.
• Beeswax Cakes.
• Beeswax Candles.

Flowers

• Single specimen with foliage, any flower by variety
• Mixed bouquet, annuals
• Mixed bouquet, perennials
• Mixed bouquet, dried materials
• Wildflowers and grasses. Note: Do not use any endangered or protected species. Such items will not be displayed or judged.

• Fresh cut herbs in bunches: six or more varieties
• Herb Plants, live, potted
• Herb wreaths
• Sachets, potpourris, etc.

Houseplants

• African violets and other gesneriads, named varieties
• Begonias
• Bonsai. Please specify if purchased as nursery stock, grown from seed, grown from a graft or cutting, or wildgathered.
• Bromeliads
• Cacti and other succulents
• Geraniums and Scented Geraniums
• Hanging baskets or pots
• Ivies
• Other flowering houseplants
• Other foliage plants
• Terraria

Arts and Crafts

Needlework and Fancy Work

• Afghans: crocheted; knitted; other
• Baby articles: afghans; crib blankets and spreads; carriage robes; booties; socks; slippers; bonnets; dresses; jackets; pant suits; sweaters; layette sets; buntings, etc.
• Bedspreads: crocheted; knitted; appliqued; embroidered
• Centerpieces: bureau scarves; dresser sets; doilies; dish mats; kitchen items: appliqued; crocheted; knitted; tatted; embroidered; other
• Tablecloths, place mats, napkins, table runners: appliqued; crocheted; knitted; tatted; embroidered; other
• Chair seats and accessories: braided; crocheted; knitted; other.
• Children’s clothing: slippers; socks; gloves; mittens; scarves; hats; dresses; pants; tops; skirts; shirts; suits; sweaters; vests; ponchos; shawls; capes; coats; sets of three items or more, not individually entered above
• Adults’ clothing and accessories: slippers, socks, gloves, mittens, scarves, hats; women’s dresses, slacks, tops, skirts, blouses, suits; men’s slacks and shirts, suits, jackets; women’s sweaters and vests; men’s sweaters and vests; ponchos, shawls, capes, coats, stoles; sets of three items or more, not individually entered above
• Pillows: crocheted; knitted needlepoint; embroidered; sewn; quilted.
• Quilts: tied; quilted
• Rugs: braided; hooked; other
• Spinning and dyeing
• Wall hangings: samplers; pictures; panels
• Weaving
• Toys: sewn; knitted; crocheted; other; dolls and dolls clothing; doll houses and furniture (must be made by exhibitor, no kits please. Other people’s patterns and instructions may be used)

Crafts

• Basketry
• Batik
• Beadworking
• Candle making
• Caning and other forms of seat-weaving
• Etching on glass
• Folk Art, Whimsies and Whirligigs
• Glass, stained, colored, copper-foiled or leaded
• Jewelry
• Leather
• Macramé
• Metal work
• Paper mache
• Pottery
• Pressed flowers
• Quilling
• Sculpture and Carving
• Soap making
• Tole painting
• Woodworking

• Collage
• Drawings
• Paintings
• Photography
• Printmaking; linoleum cut; woodcut; silkscreen; other

For more information about the Exhibition Hall at the Common Ground Country Fair, contact Martha Gottlieb at 93 Headtide Road., Whitefield, ME 04353. Phone: 549-5198.