The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will offer presentations and discussion groups covering a range of sustainable agriculture subjects on MOFGA Day, Tuesday, Jan. 12, during the Maine Agricultural Trades Show at the Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Drive, Augusta. The trade show runs Jan. 12-14. All MOFGA presentations are free and open to the public.

MOFGA also has an information exhibit all three days of the trades show.

MOFGA presentations

Washington/York Rooms

Tuesday

What is Organic Land Care?*, 9-10 a.m., presented by Jenna Messier, Organic Land Care Program director, NOFA.

The talk will provide an overview of the Standards for Organic Land Care, inform the audience about environmental issues related to landscaping practices, and offer strategies for creating more healthy yards and landscapes for the homeowner. Since 2001, the NOFA Organic Land Care Program has educated landscapers and the public about the best practices for caring for the landscapes where we live our daily lives — without harmful chemicals. The program offers professional accreditation for 500 professionals in 20 states, holds two, 30-hour accreditation courses in Organic Land Care per year, and updates and maintains the groundbreaking publication, “NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care.”

Digital Marketing, 10-11 a.m., will be presented by Frank Giglio, Three Lily Farm, and Heather Omand, MOFGA.

Learn about developing an integrated digital marketing strategy and tips and tricks for getting the most from your online presence.

Using Beneficial Insects for Pest Management*, 11 a.m.-noon

Kathy Murray, Ph.D., Entomologist, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

Beneficial insects are often critically important in keeping pest insects from damaging our crops or impacting animal health. In managed agricultural systems the natural balance between pests and beneficials can be disrupted. In this session, we will discuss common beneficial insects and strategies for conserving, introducing or augmenting their populations on the farm.

Commissioner’s Luncheon at noon.

MOFGA annual meeting, 1:30-3 p.m., Piscataquis/Sagadahoc rooms.

Food Safety*, 3-4 p.m., presented by Linda Titus, AgMatters, and Jed Beach and Emilia Carbone, Three Bug Farm.

Talk will cover general food safety themes from USDA’s GAP/GHP food safety certifications and FSMA’s proposed produce safety rule. Beach and Carbone will talk about the different “on-the-ground” practices they do on the farm to meet food safety requirements and sell organic produce to commodity markets.

Piscataquis/Sagadahoc Room

Tuesday

Orchard Pest Thresholds*, 9-10 a.m., presented by C.J. Walke, MOFGA’s Organic Orchard Educator.

Walke will present methods of monitoring pest populations in organic orchards and establishing thresholds to determine the need for spray materials, while also focusing on cultural methods of pest management. Common OMRI approved products for use in certified organic orchards will be discussed, along with safe handling practices and proper timing for effective use.

The Value of Using Dairy One for Your Farm, 10-11 a.m., presented by Carol Benway, Dairy One.

Benway will discuss the value and possibilities for using Dairy One and making record keeping easier and getting valuable information on production and health of the cows.

Getting the Most for Your Management, 11 a.m. to noon, presented by Doug Hartkopf of Hart to Hart, Jeff Bragg of Rainbow Valley, and Jill and Randall Bates of Springside.

Record keeping can help improve management of dairy operation will be the focus.

Commissioner’s Luncheon, noon

MOFGA annual meeting, 1:30-3 p.m., Piscataquis/Sagadahoc rooms.

Oxford Room

• Tuesday

Organic Flower Production, 3-4 p.m.

Roundtable discussion will focus on organic flower production, including barriers to success. The discussion will be organized so all attendees can share their experiences and expertise and create a peer learning group for flower growers across the state.

Beginning Farmer Resource Network

MOFGA staff members will present information at workshops of the Beginning Farmer Resource Network Wednesday, Jan. 13, and Thursday, Jan. 14:

Lincoln/Oxford Room

• Wednesday

Organic Certification — What it means and how to do it, 9-10 a.m., presented by Mary Yurlina, director MOFGA Certification Services.

MOFGA Certification Staff will provide an overview of marketing regulations and explain organic production practices. Information on how to become certified organic will also be presented.

SNAP Access 1 — Expanding your customer base through low income access, 2-3 p.m.

SNAP Access 2, 3-4 p.m., presented by Maria Schamberger, FNS; Heather Omand, MOFGA; Leigh Hallett, MFFM; Maria Schamberger, USDA; Reba Richardson, Hatchet Cove Farm; Kim, Wolf Pine Farm; Ernest Rollins, Rollins Orchard

participants can learn about the potential value of expanding access to products by accepting Supplemental Nutrition Access Program funds on the farm through EBT. This session will cover the size of the market, logistics of accepting EBT payments on farm, incentive programs for EBT payments, and a farmer’s perspective who has experience.

Hancock Room

• Thursday

Principles of Holisitic Management: The 4 Ecosystem Processes, 11 a.m.-noon, presented by Diane Schivera, MOFGA livestock specialist.

Schivera will use Holistic Management as the lens through which to learn about the four ecosystem processes: the water cycle, the mineral cycle, the biological community, and energy flow. Learn more about using biomonitoring and different digital tools to improve the health of your land.

For more information, call 568-4142, email mofga@mofga.org or visit www.mofga.org.