Podcasts about gardeners association

Host: Ann Luther, League of Women Voters of Maine Production Assistance: Linda Washburn, Joel Mann Democracy Forum: Participatory Democracy, encouraging citizens to take an active role in government and politics. This month: Many of us are not yet feeling the heat from the dramatic policy changes coming out of the new federal administration – life goes on. But some of us are getting hurt. And some of us are afraid. Because so many of these federal policies are being promulgated by executive order, without Congress and sometimes in defiance of the courts, some observers are concerned that our country is experiencing a constitutional crisis. It is certainly a moment of disruption. How serious is it? Who might be next? How is this moment outside the norm? How worried should we be? Guest/s: Samuel R. Bagenstos, Frank G. Millard Professor of Law at the University of Michigan. Ryan Dennett, Program Director, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. Lauren McCauley, Editor, Maine Morning Star. To learn Amore about this topic: Visit LWVME.org About the host: Ann Luther currently serves as Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Maine and leads the LWVME Advocacy Team. She served as President of LWVME from 2003 to 2007 and as co-president from 2007-2009. The post Democracy Forum 4/18/25: Constitutional Crisis? Call it what you will, this is not normal… first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Did you know that sewage sludge or biosolids when applied to farmland can contaminate soil, water and food with PFAS? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her conversation with Bill Pluecker, Maine House of Representatives, farmer and Public Policy organizer for the Main Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.  PFAS are a class of toxic chemicals known as “forever chemicals.” Representative Pluecker will explain the impact of PFAS contamination on Maine farmers, responsible parties, ways to prevent further contamination and potential farmer compensation.Related Websites: https://barnraisingmedia.com/the-farm-bill-must-support-farmers-affected-by-pfas-contaminated-sewage-sludge/ https://civileats.com/2024/12/18/why-are-pesticide-companies-fighting-state-laws-to-address-pfas/ https://pfasproject.com/ www.mofga.org

Hello and welcome back to The Cutflower Podcast! I'm your host, Roz Chandler. Today, we have a fantastic episode lined up for you, featuring the wonderful Sue Reid, the chairperson of the Working for Gardeners Association, or WFGA. Sue has an incredible journey to share, from a career in telecoms to her passion for horticulture. So, grab your favourite cuppa and let's dive right in!Summary:In this episode, Sue Reid joins us to discuss her remarkable transition from the telecoms industry to becoming deeply rooted in the world of gardening. As the chairperson of the WFGA, Sue sheds light on the association's impactful work in offering training and support within horticulture. We delve into the challenges and growth of the WFGA, their partnership with Horatio's Garden, and the increasing importance of therapeutic horticulture, especially in the wake of COVID-19. Sue also shares her personal career challenges, inspirations, and her upcoming workshop on forest bathing.Key Takeaways:Sue's inspiring journey from telecoms to horticulture.The diverse training opportunities offered by the WFGA.The challenges and successes in finding training gardens for WFGA trainees.The impactful partnership between the WFGA and Horatio's Garden.The rising emphasis on therapeutic horticulture and its benefits.Sue's personal insights into career challenges and inspirations.Sue Reid Resource Links:Website: https://www.wfga.org.uk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wfga.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wfga_uk/ A Cut Above Waitlist: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/ACutAboveWaitlist The Growth Club: https://fieldgateflowers.kartra.com/page/thegrowthclub Lots of free resources on our website: www.thecutflowercollective.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldgateflowers Facebook Groups Cut Flower Farming - Growth and Profit in your business https://www.facebook.com/groups/449543639411874 Learn With The Cut Flower Collective https://www.facebook.com/groups/learnwiththecutflowercollective

Texas farmer Keisha Johnson talks career transitions, skill sharing, poultry keeping and more. Hear about Keisha's career transition from administration and logistics to farming, and her advice for how anyone can take pre-farming-career skills into farm life—”turning your lifestyle into your livelihood.” Keisha talks about growing vegetables in Texas's hot, arid climate through summer and more mild winter weather, plus her volunteer-potato-growing experiment. (Listen in for her prediction for this winter's weather!)  Learn about Keisha's White Broad Breasted turkey breeding—a rare thing for this breed to be able to naturally reproduce. She talks, too, about the realities of keeping poultry, including predator pressure.  Hear also about the Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and their conference happening at the end of January 2024. Keisha talks about getting involved as a first-year board member and the new skill-sharing and job board they're working on getting off the ground.  At the very end, Keisha shares her favorite farm meal, sharing a beloved family recipe. Keisha Johnson on LinkedIn On Instagram

This month on Conversations from the Pointed Firs host Peter Neill sits down with Sarah Alexander, Executive Director of MOFGA (the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.) Sarah has been in her position since, 2018, and has over 20 years of experience advocating for sustainable, local and fair food systems. This year MOFGA is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding. Peter and Sarah discuss the historical moment of MOFGA's inception, the state of farming in Maine, and what MOFGA might become over the next 50 years. Conversations from the Pointed Firs is a monthly audio series with Maine-connected authors, artists and innovators discussing books, art and creative projects that invoke the spirit of Maine, its history, its ecology, its culture, and its contribution to community and quality of life. Online at pointedfirs.org

PFAS are toxic chemicals that are widely used and have accumulated to dangerous levels in agricultural soils in some areas. On tomorrow's pod we talk with Caleb Goossen, an Organic Crop Specialist at MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association) about why Maine may be the canary in the coal mine for this type of contamination, and how farmers in other areas can know whether their properties are at risk for contamination. As the Organic Crop Specialist for MOFGA he has been helping farmers deal with the repercussions of PFAS contamination, and we talk about the effects on human health, and how to deal with the situation if farm soils are contaminated. Resources Mentioned In Episode:Article: https://pubs.aip.org/avs/bip/article/18/3/030501/2894789/Evidence-of-compost-contamination-with-per-and Connect With Guest:Website: www.mofga.org/pfasInstagram: @organiccropspecialist Podcast Sponsors:Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support: Vermont Compost Company - Since 1992, Vermont Compost Company has supplied premium living soils and compost-based amendments to thousands of successful growers all over the country. All ingredients used in Vermont Compost products are approved for certified organic production. In addition to product consistency, growers can depend on Vermont Compost as an invaluable resource for a breadth of soil and plant knowledge and the technical expertise it takes to grow organically in an ever-changing environment. Why Grow Alone? Bootstrap Farmer offers a complete range of growing supplies including heat mats, lighting, ground cover, frost blankets, silage tarps, irrigation, and trellising. They also make all-metal, all-inclusive greenhouse frames, constructed of steel made in the USA and fabricated in Texas. Their heavy-duty, Midwest-made propagation and microgreens trays will last for years and are available in a full spectrum of colors. For all that plus experienced support for everything they sell, check out Bootstrap Farmer. Subscribe To Our Magazine - FREE 28-Day Trial:Our Website: www.GrowingForMarket.com

In today's episode, we talk about why root maggots may have been worse than usual this spring with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association's Organic Crop Specialist Caleb Goossen. One thing that some growers have noticed this spring is a higher than usual rate of seedlings failing to emerge, or dying shortly after emergence, due to seedling-feeding maggots.We discuss how to tell whether seedlings have succumbed to maggots instead of other causes like damping off; how to reduce seedling maggots next year; and whether it's important to tell apart the primary culprits: seedcorn maggot, onion maggot or cabbage maggot. Since timing is critical for control measures, Caleb explains using Degree Day models to predict the emergence of maggots, the importance of early detection, and damage control measures. In Shop Talk with Neversink Farm we chat about new tools, old tools, how they can benefit your farm and tips to use them successfully with Conor Crickmore of Neversink Tools, which manufactures tools for farmers.In this episode of Shop Talk, we discuss how to choose whether to start crops using transplants, paper pot trays or direct seeding. We talk about how practical considerations like speed of germination, crop spacing, and even how much greenhouse space you have will factor into how you decide to propagate which crops.Thanks to our collaborator on this podcast Neversink Farm. They make this podcast free to everyone with their generous support. For tools designed and made by farmers, check out www.NeversinkTools.com Connect With Guest:Email: cgoossen@mofga.orgWebsite: https://www.mofga.org/Instagram: @organiccropspecialist"Seedcorn maggot and other maggots fact sheet" mentioned in the interview: https://www.mofga.org/resources/fact-sheets/seedcorn-maggot/ Download A FREE Magazine Issue:Go To Growing For Market Magazine: www.GrowingForMarket.com

Discover Holistic Growing Practices Enjoy this roundtable discussion moderated by Glen Koehler with 4 holistic practitioners. This roundtable was recorded at Maine Apple Camp 2022. Holistic Panelist Eric Shatt - Redbyrd Cider Biodynamic Orchard in New York Kevin Clark - Rose Hill Farm, New York Jason Maanka - Know your Roots, New York Laura Seiger - Maine Heritage Orchard (l to R) Glen, Jason, Eric, Laura, Kevin This talk was recorded at Maine Apple Camp. Maine Apple Camp is held biannually. The next camp will take place in 2024. It is hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. Go to MOFGA.org and join today! Mentions in this Chat 202: Walkabout at Redbyrd Orchard | FLX Chicago Cider Summit February 4, 2023 - Live Streamed at Cider Chat YouTube Channel 1-2, 5:30-6:30. Bottles on My Desk - a live Stream with Cider Chat Producer and Emcee Ria Windcaller. Subscribe to be notified when the next "Bottles on My Desk" goes live at the Cider Chat YouTube Channel Subscribe to eCiderNews Help Support Cider ChatPlease donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter@ciderchat Instagram:@ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

The National Garden Scheme (NGS) open exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands raising money for charity through admission fees, tea and cake. Over the past 96 years the NGS has raised over 67 million pounds for charities. Dig It's Peter Brown and Chris Day chat with the Chief Executive of the NGS, George Plumptre and discuss the huge impact opening over 3,500 gardens has had on the charities the NGS supports. We also delve into George's favourite gardens, his passion for writing about cricket and gardens and we discover what cake Dame Mary Berry, the president of the NGS, baked for George on a special garden visit.Plant mentions: Winter aconites, snowdrops, hardy cyclamen, viticella clematis and wildflower meadows.Garden mentions: The Queen Mother's private garden: Birkhall part of the Balmoral Estate, Aberdeenshire, The Royal Lodge on the Windsor Great Park Estate, Berkshire and Castle of Mey, Caithness in Scotland. Royal gardens at Frogmore House and Highgrove Gardens.National Trust properties at Hidcote Manor Gardens in Gloucestershire and Hatchlands Park in Surrey. Arley Hall, Northwich, Cheshire, Ramster Gardens in Surrey, Hodnet Hall Gardens, Shropshire. Horatio Garden in Salisbury. Goodnestone Park in Kent.Reports mentions: Gardens and health - The King's fund 2016 report and Gardens and Coronavirus 2020 reportDesert Island plant and gardening luxury: Plumbago capensis and desalination plant with brass antique water sprinkler.NGS beneficiaries include Macmillan Cancer Research, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, The Queen's Nursing Institute, Parkinson's UK, Horatio's Garden, Maggie's and Greenfingers. Support and training English Heritage, Perennial, Working for Gardeners Association, National Botanic Garden of Wales, Professional Gardeners' Trust and Garden Museum.George Plumptre's books The Garden Visitor's handbook 2023 (The Yellow Book)NGS Website with links to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.Our thanks to Chiltern Music Therapy for providing the music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are Historical Apple and Pears varieties at of becoming Extinct? It appears it is not a question of if, when historical varieties are no longer with us as climate change and other mitigation factors such as land development and disease threaten prize pomes! This topic is discussed in this episode by a panel of well versed pome fans. The Speakers on this Panel Matt Kaminsky who is also known as Gnarly Pippins is the moderator. Contact for Matt Kaminsky Website: https://gnarlypippins.com/ Listen to Matt on episode 346 on Why Pomological Exhibitions Matter Dan Newman hails from Palermo, Maine and has a keen interest in Pears from Maine. He is active in historical research that looks at records from county fairs. Each fair has the year and apple prized, and thus Dan can track what was grown where and when and by whom. Contact for Dan Newman - write to mailto:mofga@mofga.org Dan Bussey has been growing heirloom apples for 42 years since 1980. He is the author of "The Illustrated History of Apples in the United States and Canada" It is a 7 volume encyclopedia on apples. The book is now on sale for $150 for the set. When released in 2016 it was $320. Contact for Dan Bussey Website: https://www.silverwoodpark.org/project/heirloom-apple-orchard/ John Bunker was last on Cider Chat in episode 352 & 353. He is the Founder of the Maine Heritage Orchard & FEDCO Trees, Author of numerous books on Apples and is a well known Apple Detective. Contact for John Bunker Website: Out on the Limb Apples Listen to John on episode 352: Apples in Gravel | Maine Heritage Orchard and episode 353 Apple Historian John Bunker Q&A | Maine Apple Camp Eliza Greenman is a fruit explorer and horticultural historian. Contact for Eliza Greenman Website: https://elizapples.com/ Listen to Eliza on episode 349: The Super Powers of Bradford Pears Lydia Pendergast - works with the Apple Team at the College of the Atlantic and interns with the Maine Heritage Orchard Contact for Lydia Pendergast - write to mailto:mofga@mofga.org   This talk was recorded at Maine Apple Camp. Maine Apple Camp is held biannually. The next camp will take place in 2024. It is hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. Go to MOFGA.org and join today! Mentions in this Chat Press then Press - an online retailer specializing in cider New York International Cider Competition February 19, 2023- use promo code: Chat23 for $10 off your entry submission. CiderCon 2023 - February 1-3, 2023 Chicago Cider Summit February 4, 2023 - Live Stream at Cider Chat YouTube Channel 1-2pm , 5:30-6:30pm CST. Bottles on My Desk - a live Stream with Cider Chat Producer and Emcee Ria Windcaller. Subscribe to be notified when the next "Bottles on My Desk" goes live at the Cider Chat YouTube Channel Subscribe to eCiderNews Help Support Cider ChatPlease donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter@ciderchat Instagram:@ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Preservation Tips from an Apple Historian John Bunker is a self identified Apple Historian and an Apple Detective, Author of numerous books on the topic of Apples and Founder of FEDCO Trees. In the previous podcast episode #352 John delivers an overview on the Successes and Challenges of the Maine Heritage Orchard over the past 10 years. This episode 353 is the Q&A that followed that address. Typically, it would be recommend that you listen to episode 352 before delving into the Q&A, but even out of sequence one will find John's witty and insightful comments on a range of apple topics worth a listen. John Bunker Q&A Topics in this Chat Time line of planning and planting Trees What John recommends doing differently Found stories of people and migration patterns about the collection Questioned if John knew of dump sites that are being used in this type of format John helps to define Heirloom/Heritage Apples Genetics of Apples and seeds Climate change and the future of preserving rare vareities Legacy in relationship to the work of apple today for tomorrow.   This talk was recorded at Maine Apple Camp. Maine Apple Camp is held biannually. The next camp will take place in 2024. It is hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. Go to MOFGA.org and join today! Contact info for John Bunker Website: Super Chilly Farm eMail: csa.outonalimb@gmail.com Episode 352 is Part 1 to this Q&A with John Bunker on the Maine Heritage Orchard. Follow/Subscribe Cider Chat on  ApplePodcasts, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Mentions in this Chat New York International Cider Competition February 19, 2023- use promo code: Chat23 for $10 off your entry submission. CiderCon 2023 - February 1-3, 2023 Chicago Cider Summit February 4, 2023 - Live Stream at Cider Chat YouTube Channel 1-2, 5:30-6:30. Bottles on My Desk - a live Stream with Cider Chat Producer and Emcee Ria Windcaller. Subscribe to be notified when the next "Bottles on My Desk" goes live at the Cider Chat YouTube Channel Subscribe to eCiderNews Help Support Cider ChatPlease donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter@ciderchat Instagram:@ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

John Bunker on Maine Heritage Orchard: Successes and Challenges over the First Ten Years This is Part 1 with John Bunker, who is both an author, Founder of FEDCO Trees, an Apple Historian and a key person behind the Maine Heritage Orchard. In this recording her the full presentation from John as recorded at Maine Apple Camp in August of 2022. John Bunker speaking at Maine Apple Camp Bunker's 7 Point Strategy to Seek out Apples John Bunker moved to Maine when he was 21 years old and immediately fell for the state and collecting apples. In the late 70s - early 80s  he began to learned about Maine's historic apple varieties. Seeking out apples requires a bit of stealth and an out going personality 1. Seek out mentors 2. Do cold calls - when seeing apples along the road 3. Introduced myself as "Hi I am John Bunker. You won't believe this but I am an apple historian.” 4. Give talks at Garden Society and such and charge nothing. John bunker has a sliding scale from 1 mil to zero dollars for his talks. 5. Pass out Wanted Posters 6. Fairs and Events: Do a display of apples - it becomes a magnet for people to see. 7. Apple Identification for no charge and also payment ] John Bunker In this Chat The history of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardners Association (MOFGA). The orchards at the Common Ground Fair Reclaiming land such as gravel pits The History of the Maine Heritage Orchard What is needed to sustain the Maine Heritage Orchard This talk was recorded at Maine Apple Camp. Apple Camp is held biannually. The next camp will take place in 2024. It is hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. Go to MOFGA.org and join today! Contact info for John Bunker Website: Super Chilly Farm eMail: csa.outonalimb@gmail.com Episode 353 will feature Part 2 with John Bunker on the Maine Heritage Orchard. This episode will go live on January 25, 2023 Follow/Subscribe Cider Chat on  ApplePodcasts, Google Play, Stitcher (for Android), iHeartRadio , Spotify and wherever you love to listen to podcasts. Mentions in this Chat New York International Cider Competition February 19, 2023- use promo code: Chat23 for $10 off your entry submission. CiderCon 2023 - February 1-3, 2023 sign up now for the January 31th Chicago Cider Tours Chicago Cider Summit February 4, 2023 - Live Stream at Cider Chat YouTube Channel 1-2, 5:30-6:30. Bottles on My Desk - a live Stream with Cider Chat Producer and Emcee Ria Windcaller. Subscribe to be notified when the next "Bottles on My Desk" goes live at the Cider Chat YouTube Channel Subscribe to eCiderNews Help Support Cider ChatPlease donate today. Help keep the chat thriving! Find this episode and all episodes at the page for Cider Chat's podcasts. Follow on Cider Chat's blog, social media and podcast Twitter@ciderchat Instagram:@ciderchatciderville Cider Chat FaceBook Page Cider Chat YouTube

Enjoy this Roundtable Discussion w/4 makers from Maine Kris Hogg formally of Perennial Cider Bar in Maine moderates this panel discussion that was held at the Maine Apple Camp in August of 2022. The topics are wide ranging: cultivars/apples that you really like anything that you haven't tried yet that you would like to experiment with? life work balance from making to orchard care yeast only using wild or also culture yeast in ciders? cider as art vs science Is there a Maine Cider Style? Makers and Contact Info from this Roundtable David Buchann | Portersfield Cider Website: https://www.portersfieldcider.com/ Address: 255 Elmwood Road Pownal, ME, 04069 David Buchann | Portersfield Cider Jared Carr | Cornish Cider Company Website: https://cornishcidercompany.com/ Address: 135 High Road Cornish, Maine 04020 USA Jared Carr | Cornish Cider Company Zak Kaiser | Absolem Cider Company Website: https://www.absolemcider.com/ Address: 799 Winthrop Center Road Winthrop, Maine 04364 Zak Kaiser | Absolem Cider Jon Stein | Fogtown Brewing Company Website: https://www.fogtownbrewing.com/ Address: Two locations: Ellsworth and Bar Harbor Maine! Jon Stein | Fogtown Brewing Co. This Roundtable was recorded at Maine Apple Camp. Apple Camp is held biannually. The next camp will take place in 2024. It is hosted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. Go to MOFGA.org and join today! Bonus audio - 30 minute Q&A from this roundtable at the Cider Chat Patreon page. Join today and help keep #ciderGoingUP Mentions in this Chat New York International Cider Competition February 19, 2023- use promo code: Chat23 for $10 off your entry submission. CiderCon 2023 - February 1-3, 2023 sign up now for the January 31th Chicago Cider Tours Subscribe to eCiderNews Help Support Cider Chat Please donate today. Help keep the chat thriving!

Producer/Host: Holli Cederholm Editing: Clare Boland Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: On the December 2022 episode of Common Ground Radio, host Holli Cederholm discusses the organic dairy crisis in the Northeast and how it is impacting farms in Maine with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association's Organic Dairy and Livestock Specialist Jacki Martinez Perkins, who grew up on an organic dairy farm, and Annie Watson, who co-owns Sheepscot Valley Farm, an organic dairy in Whitefield, Maine. Watson also currently serves on the boards of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership, and she is board president of the Maine Dairy Industry Association. Additionally, she is CEO and a founding partner of the Maine Organic Milk Company, a start-up working to bring organic dairy processing to the state. Tune in to hear why organic dairy farms are an important part of Maine's landscape, why they're in trouble and the ways that listeners can help support these farms to the benefit of Maine's communities, local economies and the environment. Key Discussion Points: -Organic dairy industry -Origin of Livestock USDA organic rule -Cost of organic production -Organic dairy pay price -Where to buy local, organic milk -Farm Bill 2023 -Pasture health -Grass-fed dairy -Grain price inflation Guest/s: Jacki Martinez Perkins, who grew up on a small, award-winning, organic dairy in central Maine. She has worked in various aspects of the dairy industry including as an artificial insemination technician and a herd manager before becoming the organic dairy and livestock specialist for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). Her work includes supporting organic dairy and livestock operations through management and organic certification considerations as well as helping to develop policies regarding organic production. Annie Watson, who is a co-owner of Sheepscot Valley Farm, an organic dairy farm in Whitefield, where she lives with her husband, Mike Moody, and their three young sons. She currently serves on the boards of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership, and she is board president of the Maine Dairy Industry Association. Additionally, she is CEO and a founding partner of the Maine Organic Milk Company, a start-up working to bring organic dairy processing to the state. FMI Links: Find Local, Organic Farmers and Producers Articles on Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards Proposed Rule, and Origin of Livestock final rule in MOFGA's The Organic Sprout newsletter — indd.adobe.com/view/04e87eab-9318-4e85-95fc-1dd7ddd5d605 Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership Maine Dairy Industry Association Ways to Support Organic Dairy About the hosts: Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA. Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA. The post Common Ground Radio 12/8/22: Maine Organic Dairy Farms Are In Trouble – How You Can Help first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Producer/Host: Holli Cederholm Editing: Clare Boland Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: On the December 2022 episode of Common Ground Radio, host Holli Cederholm discusses the organic dairy crisis in the Northeast and how it is impacting farms in Maine with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association's Organic Dairy and Livestock Specialist Jacki Martinez Perkins, who grew up on an organic dairy farm, and Annie Watson, who co-owns Sheepscot Valley Farm, an organic dairy in Whitefield, Maine. Watson also currently serves on the boards of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership, and she is board president of the Maine Dairy Industry Association. Additionally, she is CEO and a founding partner of the Maine Organic Milk Company, a start-up working to bring organic dairy processing to the state. Tune in to hear why organic dairy farms are an important part of Maine's landscape, why they're in trouble and the ways that listeners can help support these farms to the benefit of Maine's communities, local economies and the environment. Key Discussion Points: -Organic dairy industry -Origin of Livestock USDA organic rule -Cost of organic production -Organic dairy pay price -Where to buy local, organic milk -Farm Bill 2023 -Pasture health -Grass-fed dairy -Grain price inflation Guest/s: Jacki Martinez Perkins, who grew up on a small, award-winning, organic dairy in central Maine. She has worked in various aspects of the dairy industry including as an artificial insemination technician and a herd manager before becoming the organic dairy and livestock specialist for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). Her work includes supporting organic dairy and livestock operations through management and organic certification considerations as well as helping to develop policies regarding organic production. Annie Watson, who is a co-owner of Sheepscot Valley Farm, an organic dairy farm in Whitefield, where she lives with her husband, Mike Moody, and their three young sons. She currently serves on the boards of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and the Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership, and she is board president of the Maine Dairy Industry Association. Additionally, she is CEO and a founding partner of the Maine Organic Milk Company, a start-up working to bring organic dairy processing to the state. FMI Links: Find Local, Organic Farmers and Producers Articles on Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards Proposed Rule, and Origin of Livestock final rule in MOFGA's The Organic Sprout newsletter — indd.adobe.com/view/04e87eab-9318-4e85-95fc-1dd7ddd5d605 Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership Maine Dairy Industry Association Ways to Support Organic Dairy About the hosts: Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland and Italy and, in 2010, founded a small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. As the former manager of a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers, she authored a peer-reviewed handbook on GMO avoidance strategies for seed growers. Holli has also been a steward at Forest Farm, the iconic homestead of “The Good Life” authors Helen and Scott Nearing; a host of “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and a long-time contributor for The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA. Caitlyn Barker has worked in education and organic agriculture on and off for the last 17 years. She has worked on an organic vegetable farm, served on the Maine Farm to School network, worked in early childhood education and taught elementary school. She currently serves as the community engagement coordinator for MOFGA. The post Common Ground Radio 12/8/22: Maine Organic Dairy Farms Are In Trouble – How You Can Help first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

We mark the 50th anniversary of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association with a discussion of the evolution of the organic movement over the decades, and Maine's leading role in it.

We mark the 50th anniversary of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association with a discussion of the evolution of the organic movement over the decades, and Maine's leading role in it.

American Family Farmer and host Doug Stephan www.eastleighfarm.com begins with news about the damage caused by the severe drought in the west and now, here come the grasshoppers. Moving to the Northeast, hay crops are doing well. Are you aware of the shenanigans going on with former Agriculture Secretary, Sonny Perdue. Next, Doug introduces us to the Executive Director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Sarah Alexander. www.MOFGA.org Prior to joining MOFGA, Sarah worked with the White Earth Land Recovery project, helping to restore traditional food systems and stopping the genetic engineering of wild rice. Through education, training and advocacy, MOFGA i s helping farmers thrive, making more local, organic food available and building sustainable communities. Finally, Farmer Doug opines about the Dairy Business in America and how the farmers are being wrongly blamed for the high prices of milk.

For many of us, the power of nature serves as an inspiration for art, poetry, and action. To recognize the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and April as National Poetry Month, the Natural Resources Council of Maine created this special series of five podcasts featuring poems by Maine-based poets. In this poetry reading and conversation you’ll hear the owner of Three Sisters Farm, Mary Anne Libby, reading a poem from her late husband, environmental visionary Russell Libby of Mount Vernon, Maine. Russell Libby liked to quote his distant relative, the late Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Robert P.T. Coffin, when he describes his personal philosophy: "We eat from the earth, the sky, the water." With degrees in resource economics, he launched a lifelong career in food and agricultural policy at the state, regional, and national levels while also working—with his wife Mary Anne and their three daughters—his own "Three Sisters Farm" in Mount Vernon, Maine. As executive director of MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association), Libby oversaw the organization as it became the country's largest state-level organic association.

IntroductionNick Armentrout is the Supply Chain Leader at US retail brand Ramblers Way. Majority of the Ramblers Way products are made out of wool, sourced directly from US based wool growers. In his interview, Nick explains the whole Ramblers Way supply chain from farm to shop. Nick talks in detail about the Ramblers Way target group and how the company plans to grow long term. About Nick ArmentroutAs Ramblers Way's supply chain leader, Nick oversees the sourcing, processing, and conversion of natural fibers to the finished fabrics that create our products. He enjoys working with raw materials from nature and thinking critically about the lifecycle of Ramblers Way products. A 25-year animal agriculture and organic farming veteran, Nick has learned on his feet at Ramblers Way since 2009 and appreciates apparel designed for long-term utility and use. His role includes maintaining relationships with individual ranchers as well as manufacturers of yarns, knit and woven fabrics and the dye houses that color Rambler's yarn and fabric. He also manages certifications of manufacturing operations, such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Cradle to Cradle©. Over the course of his career, Nick has managed four small businesses for others, and two of his own, throughout start-up phase to maturity. Nick is also a Saltwater Institute veteran where he educated students on Values-Based Business Models, which for the Chappell family emphasize: 1) Quality 2) Sustainability 3) American made 4) Family Owned and 5) Transparency. Nick holds a BA in English from Washington College, Chestertown, Maryland. He participates in Maine Farm Bureau, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and Draft Animal Power Network. He has lent his skills as a volunteer to gardening, farming, and equine therapy organizations. Nick and his wife, Sarah, run Spring Creek Farm, an organic horse, sheep, hay and grain farm that also serves as the host facility for Carlisle Academy Integrative Equine Therapy & Sports for children and adults with disabilities.

Jim Gerritsen of Wood Prairie Family Farm in Aroostook County, Maine, is not just a potato farmer; he’s a potato artist. Wood Prairie Farm provides certified organic seed potatoes and other products to customers around the country through their mail order catalog. Certified organic since 1982, Wood Prairie Family Farm has 40 acres in production, with ten or twelve of those acres in seed potatoes each year. After an orientation to the history of Wood Prairie Farm and the potato culture of Aroostook County, we dig into the whys and the how’s of growing a great crop of from seed warming and green sprouting through weed control to harvest. We also discuss the ins and outs of producing Maine-certified potato seed. Jim is an observant and specific farmer and marketer, and really brings out the details of what goes into bumper yields and high quality spuds. Named by the editors of the Utne Reader to the magazine’s 2011 list of 25 “People Who Are Changing the World,” Jim is also one of those organic farmers who spends a large part of his time serving the community. Jim is the president of the Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association, and has served for more than twenty years on the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association certification committee, along with about a dozen other roles that he has played in the organic farming movement. The Farmer to Farmer Podcast is generously supported by Vermont Compost Company.

Returning to the show, Antonio Keith Leonforte and wife Margo Lee Leonforte established what would be their little piece of organic farming paradise in the wilds of Ripley Maine in July, 2014. After a lot of hard work, tent living, renovation and with six acres and a plan, they were able to till, plant and harvest their first crops the following year. Having received membership in MOFGA’s [Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association] journey person program, which is quite the sought after position. In January of 2016. The couple continues to document their transformation from Boston natives to rural cultivators, raising awareness for organic farming in their local community and through social media engagement. Be sure to check out The HearthStone Organic Farm on YouTube and Facebook to experience the adventures of the Leonforte Family through 2016! Supporters of the Bernie Sanders campaign, they will also discuss their views on his defeat to Hillary Clinton and the future of the Bernie movement.    Related links: https://hearthstoneorganicfarm.com/ http://Ourrevolution.com http://www.snakeroot.net/farm/index.shtml

Antonio Keith Leonforte and wife Margo Lee Leonforte established what would be their little piece of organic farming paradise in the wilds of Ripley Maine in July, 2014. After a lot of hard work, tent living, renovation and with six acres and a plan, they were able to till, plant and harvest their first crops the following year. Having received membership in MOFGA's [Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association] journey person program, which is quite the sought after position. In January of 2016. The couple continues to document their transformation from Boston natives to rural cultivators, raising awareness for organic farming in their local community and through social media engagement. Be sure to check out The HearthStone Organic Farm on YouTube and Facebook to experience the adventures of the Leonforte Family through 2016!   Related links: Hearthstone Organic Farm, Facebook youtube, Tales From the Hearth Land

Producer/Host: Amy Browne Engineer: John Greenman Today we're doing a sort of “where are they now” show with some of the 13 Mainers –from all across the state and different walks of life– who volunteered back in 2006 to have themselves tested for the presence of 71 chemicals in their bodies. As we reported in 2007 when the results were published in the “Body of Evidence” report, toxic industrial chemicals were found in every person tested. The group behind the project was the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine, which included the Environmental Health Strategy Center, the Learning Disabilities Association of Maine, the Maine Labor Group on Health, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Maine People's Resource Center, the Maine Public Health Association, the Natural Resources Council of Maine, and Physicians for Social Responsibility/Maine Chapter. All project protocols were approved by the University of Southern Maine Office of Research Compliance and Institutional Review Board. Doctors Vincent Markowski and Richard Donahue, the project's Principal Investigators, provided oversight of the study methodology, data collection, laboratory testing, and data analyses. 46 different toxic chemicals were found in the bodies of the 13 Mainers. The average body burden was 36 toxic chemicals detected in the blood, urine and hair of each participant. Guests: Emma Halas-O’Connor, Environmental Health Campaign Manager, Environmental Health Strategy Center/ Prevent Harm Hannah Pingree, former State Representative and study participant. After learning that PBDE flame retardants were being found in breast milk, she sponsored a bill that successfully phased out two of them back in 2004. In 2008 she was a sponsor of Maine's “Kid-Safe Products Act”. In 2012 she testified at a hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, advocating for updating and strengthening the federal 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act. In 2013 she was featured in the HBO documentary “Toxic Hot Seat”. Steve Taylor, Project Manager for the Body of Evidence Report Regina Creeley, study participant FMI: www.cleanandhealthyme.org/bodyofevidencereport/tabid/55/default.aspx The post Maine Currents 10/14/15 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.

Greek Physician Hippocrates once said, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food." It has become increasingly clear that there is no more important way to approach health: doctors need to care about food. We need to care about where it comes from, and how our patients are getting it. Today we speak with John Piotti of the Maine Farmland Trust and Ted Quaday of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association about these very issues.  https://www.themainemag.com/radio/2014/07/maine-farms-food/

Cameron Molberg joined Coyote Creek as General Manager in April 2010, after several years in restaurant management including the founding of two organic restaurants in Austin. His educational background in institutional management, animal science, and food technology has proven to support his work in various ways at Coyote Creek Organic Feed Mill and Farm. He is frequently invited to give educational talks on a variety of topics including beginning and advance poultry-keeping, GMOs in our food system and in livestock feed, organic farming and gardening, and organic certification processes. Cameron has served as Treasurer of the Texas Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association since mid-2010. He is committed to the organic movement and to supporting others in their quest to support local organic agriculture and food systems. This program has been sponsored by Heritage Foods USA. “We really just try to produce the best product available – and that means no pesticides, no herbicides, no fillers, no byproducts…basically what it comes down to is impeccable and specific nutrition for each species.” [4:00] Cameron Molberg on Greenhorns Radio

Producers/Hosts: Cheryl Wixson & Russell Libby, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association staff Topic: Organic. What is the meaning of organic? What is organic certification? Why is it important? Guests: Mary Yurlina, Director of MOFGA Organic Certification ; Nicolas Lindhom, Hackmatack Farm & Blueberry Hill Berry Company Call in show The post Common Ground Radio 3/4/11 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.