The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association has planned the following events and webinars.

Firstly, “Extending the Season in the Garden” is set for noon-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19.

MOFGA Crop Specialist Caleb Goossen plans to share best practices for keeping plants healthy and producing food during spring and fall in this free webinar. He will share practical approaches to extending the season in the garden, focusing on what to plant, when to plant it, and other growing considerations. Infrastructure for protecting crops from the cold (i.e., cold frames, hoops) will be discussed briefly.

Secondly, “Gather & Grow Tour: Jesse’s Permaculture Garden and Yard” is to take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24.

The free tour of a permaculture homestead in Rockland, designed and built by Jesse Watson of Midcoast Permaculture Design, is to highlight the joys of eating wild meadow plants, his pollinator gardens, water catchment systems and the aesthetic of woodland and meadow ecosystems that he evokes in his spaces. Participants also can take a look at Watson’s perennial forest garden and annual plantings.

The Gather & Grow tours happen each summer at homesteads and gardens throughout Maine. To register, email [email protected].

Also, MOFGA members are to receive early-access Common Ground Country Fair ticket reservations starting Aug. 2. Ticket sales open to the public Aug. 9. The organization also recently made changes to its membership levels and benefits. Learn more about the changes and how to receive fair tickets at mofga.org.

Finally, MOFGA in 2019 undertook a comprehensive 10-year impact planning process for the organization, which laid the foundation for work from 2020 to 2030. As part of this process, organizers thought about their goal to create a food system that is healthy and fair for all through education, training and advocacy efforts.

It became clear that MOFGA cannot create such a food system without deepening its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. MOFGA has created a statement that reflects its commitments related to equity and social justice and the steps it is taking to meet them. This statement, as well as more information about how these steps are manifesting in the work we do day to day, is available at mofga.org.