June 13, 2018 – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) seeks an enthusiastic and energetic individual to manage and maintain the Common Kitchen, food donations and work with fair staff to coordinate food at the Common Ground Country Fair. This is a year-round, part-time position based in the town of Unity, Maine. A detailed job description is available here. Candidates for the position should submit pdf applications (including a cover letter, resume and three professional references) to: aprilb@mofga.org. The hiring committee will begin reviewing applications in the beginning of July. The position will remain open until MOFGA finds the ideal candidate.

June 7, 2018 – By John H. Cushman Jr., Inside Climate News – The proposed changes would downplay human health and climate benefits of environmental regulations in favor of cutting costs for polluting industries.

June 7, 2018 – By Ann Mayer, KUNC – Federal rules in place since January 2017 have not curbed the use of antibiotics in pork production, according to a new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council, an advocacy group whose food and environment agenda includes responsible antibiotic use.

June 6, 2018 – By Susan Milius, Science News – The same foods grown in various ways can also have less impact on the planet, scientists say.

June 6, 2018 – By Nancy McGinnis, Kennebec Journal – A trip to the farmers’ market is more than just picking up some items on your shopping list – it can be educational, entertaining, and simply good for the body, mind and soul. For some it represents culinary adventure; for others it’s about supporting the local agricultural economy and social justice; for everyone it’s a chance to feel part of a community and to simply enjoy fresh food that tastes great.

June 4, 2018 – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), thanks to support from the John Merck Fund, is awarding $3,000 grants to each of three MOFGA-certified organic businesses: Turtle Rock Farm in Brunswick, Ripley Farm in Dover-Foxcroft and Left Field Farm in Bowdoinham. The funding will enable these businesses to access technical and consulting services to increase their sales to wholesale markets. In addition, MOFGA has partnered with Slow Money Maine, which will support two additional applicants at $1,500 each: Two Farmers Farm in Saco and Morning Dew Farm in Newcastle.

May 30, 2018 – By Patrick Barkham, The Guardian – Rewilding excites people with its images of wolves and ambition to return entire landscapes to nature as humans withdraw after centuries of domination. But the grandeur of rewilding can also make the concept seem remote or irrelevant to people living ever more urban lives.

May 29, 2018 – By Adam Kleofas Berbeć et al., Sustainability – The aim of this study was to examine the sustainability performance of organic and low-input conventional farms with the sustainability assessment tool – RISE 3.0. It is an indicator-based method for holistic assessment of sustainability of agricultural production at farm level.

May 29, 2018 – By Abigail Curtis, Bangor Daily News – As the saying goes, if you don’t like the weather in Maine, wait five minutes.

May 29, 2018 – By Chris Mays, Brattleboro Reformer – Health and wellness are becoming more and more of a focus at the Strolling of the Heifers as interest in these topics grows among those who attend the event.