Common Ground Fair is Sept. 20-22 in Unity

UNITY — The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will host its 43rd annual Common Ground Country Fair from Friday, Sept. 20, to Sunday, Sept. 22, rain or shine. The event draws up to 60,000 fairgoers, volunteers, exhibitors and performing artists to MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center on Crosby Brook Road.
Gates open daily at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The celebration of rural living offers a unique experience that includes a mix of workshops, demonstrations, music, vendors, farmers’ markets, fantastic food and more. More than 750 varied events take place during the weekend, covering topics ranging from seed saving and cooking demonstrations to low-impact forestry and energy efficiency. The livestock barns and livestock demonstrations are particularly popular, with contests and demonstrations featuring draft horses, mules, ponies, oxen, donkeys, pigs and dairy cattle, and exhibits featuring rabbits, poultry, goats, sheep, alpacas and llamas.
The sheep dog demonstrations take place at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. daily. Leaders in the organic agriculture movement keynote addresses each day.
This year’s speakers are state Rep. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, who is also an organic farmer; Carey Gillam, research director of U.S. Right to Know and investigative journalist; and Anne Devin, owner and operator at Chase Stream Farm and veteran outreach coordinator for Maine AgrAbility and MOFGA. Keynote addresses take place at 11 a.m. daily.
More than 2,000 volunteers bring the fair to life each year. They receive admission to the fair, a meal and an organic cotton T-shirt. Volunteers can register in advance at mofga.volunteerhub.com. Walk-in volunteers are always welcome. MOFGA offers its members free admission to the fair. Information about MOFGA membership is available at mofga.org. Advance tickets and 2019 fair posters are on sale now through advance ticket outlets and at www.mofga.org.
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association is a broad-based community that educates about and advocates for organic agriculture, illuminating its interdependence with a healthy environment, local food production, and thriving communities. Formed in 1971, is the oldest and largest state organic organization in the country. For more information, call 207-568-4142 or visit mofga.org.