Are you concerned about the rising cost of food? Unsure what the term “certified organic” means? Interested in learning how to grow your own vegetables in a sustainable manner?
Join us for an evening long workshop on how to grow your own garden. We’ll talk about the basics of soil science, how to enrich your soil to produce healthy, high-yielding plants. The course will also cover the basics of making and using compost, the principles of crop rotation and how to incorporate green manures and manage nutrients in the garden. Other topics will include how to tell the difference between cultivated plants and weeds, basic weed control strategies and common insect pests and methods of natural insect control. The instructor will be an experienced farmer or gardener from your region.

Each year MOFGA sponsors this statewide educational event at over 30 different locations in Maine. Classes run from 6 to 9 p.m. The workshops are open to the public and to people of all gardening skill and experience levels. They are designed to provide folks with essential skills and knowledge needed to make a transition from conventional to organic gardening. The workshop is offered in partnership with Maine's Adult & Community Education program and community sponsors.

Participants will acquire an understanding of:

• the basics of soil science, and how to enrich soil to produce healthy, high yielding plants;
• composting methods;
• the principles of crop rotation, and how to incorporate green manures and manage nutrients in the garden;
• the difference between cultivated plants and weeds, and basic weed control strategies; and
• common insect pests and methods of natural insect control.

Classes will be offered at more than 30 locations throughout Maine. Presenters are seasoned MOFGA farmers and gardeners. Please refer to the list below and register using the contact information given for each location.

MOFGA Fact Sheets of Interest

Resources (pdf)

2011 Locations (will be updated weekly)

Bath, RSU 1 Adult Education, Website, Instructor: Ben Dearnley

Cape Elizabeth, Cape Elizabeth Community Services, Community Center, 343 Ocean House Rd, Cape Elizabeth, Website, Instructor: Sarah Marshall

Damariscotta, Union 74 Adult Education, Great Salt Bay School, 595 Main St. - (Business Rt. 1), www.schoolunion74.org/adulted, Instructor: Brendan McQuillen

Dover-Foxcroft, Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative, Dexter Regional High School 14 Abbott Hill, www.pvaec.org, Instructor: Jason Kafka

Ellsworth, Ellsworth Adult Education, Ellsworth High School, Website, Instructor: Ron Poitras

Fairfield, MSAD 49 Adult & Community Education, Annex, across st from Adult Ed office, 4 School St, www.msad49.org, Instructor: Kate Newkirk

Farmington, MSAD 9 Adult & Community Education, Mount Blue Middle School,Website, Instructor: Amy LeBlanc

Fort Kent, MSAD 27 Adult & Community Education, Community High School, Website, Instructor: Julie Trudel

Gardiner, MSAD 11 Adult Education, Website, Instructor: Michele Roy

Hampden, MSAD 22 Adult Education, Instructors: Christine and Paul Lipsky

Kennebunk, Adult Education Of The Kennebunks & Arundel, Kennebunk High School, Instructor: Helene Lewand

Lewiston, Lewiston Adult Education, 156 East Ave, Website, Instructor: Bridgette Bartlett

Monmouth, 6-8:30 pm, Cumston Public Library, Website, Instructor: Nancy Chandler

Monroe, Monroe Town Hall, Instructor: Joan Cheetham

Mount Desert, Mt Desert Island Adult & Community Education, Mt Desert Island High School,Website, Instructor: Suzanne Morse

Newport, Newport Cultural Center, Website, Instructor: Tom Roberts

North Berwick, Noble Adult & Community Education, Noble High School, 388 Somersworth Road, North Berwick, Website, Instructor: Jordan Pike

Porter, MSAD 55 Adult & Community Education, Sacopee Valley High School, 115 S. Hiram Rd., Hiram, www.sad55.org, Instructor: Martha Tracy

Scarborough, Scarborough Adult Learning Center, Instructor: Lisa Fernandes

Thorndike / Unity, MSAD 3 Adult & Community Education Program, Mt View High School, Website, Instructors: Holli Cederholm and Brian St Laurent

Topsham, Merrymeeting Regional Adult Education, Brunswick High School, 116 Maqoit Rd, www.merrymeeting.org, Instructor: Nathan Drummond

Trescott Township, Cobscook Learning Center, Cobscook Learing Center 10 Commissary Point Road, www.thecclc.org, Instructors: Carly DelSignore and Dan Colby

Waldoboro, MSAD 40 Adult Education, Medomak Valley High School, 320 Manktown Road, Waldoboro, Website, Instructor: Sharon Turner

Wells, Wells-Ogunquit Adult Community Education, 200 Sanford Rd, Wells High School, Wells, www.wocsd.org/Adult Community Education, Instructors: Marilyn & Rick Stanley

Other Dates and Locations

April 5- 6-8 pm Belfast, Belfast Free Library, Phone: 338-3884 ext 10 Instructor: CJ Walke
April 5- 6-8:30 pm Blue Hill, Blue Hill Public Library, Website, Instructor Daniel Huisjen
April 4- 6-9pm Castine, sponsored by Witherle Library, 326-4375, Instructor: CJ Walke
April 7- 6-7:30 pm Bucksport, Bucksport Adult & Community Education, Website, Instructor: Paul Volckhausen, Three Thursday nights (April 7, 14, 21). Registration fee $24.
April 13- 6-9pm Bar Mills, Bonny Eagle Adult Education, Bonny Eagle High School 92 Sokokis Trail, Buxton, Website, Instructor: Richard Rudolph
April 13- 6-9 pm Freeport, Freeport Community Library, Website, Instructor: Tracy Weber
April 20- 6-9pm Bridgton, Bridgton Public Library, 647-2472, Instructor: Kathy Banks

Is it in your community? Check out the Maine Adult Education Website by clicking here. 
Most locations will charge a $5 materials fee to cover the cost of handouts provided.
Interested in being a teacher? Hosting a class in your community? please call the MOFGA office at 207-568-4142.