UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association will host a series of twilight organic farm meetings beginning Wednesday, June 25.

Anyone with an interest in specific aspects of organic farming, perennial gardening, raising livestock, drip irrigation, using cover crops, insect identification and control, compost making, soil and water conservation and extending the growing season in Maine is welcome to attend. The meetings will take place at MOFGA-certified organic farms throughout the state.

Participants can join farmers and gardeners for a potluck supper (bring a dish and a place setting) and field site visit. An association member will be on hand to answer questions. The schedule of meetings follows:

June 25, Perennials: How to Get Color All Summer: John and Kathy Fromer of Appleton Ridge Flower and Vegetable Farm, Appleton, will show and tell about how to keep flowers coming all season. Phone: 785-3221.

June 25, Pasturing Sheep on Blueberry Land as an Alternative to Burning: Kevin and Clara Poland of Stoneset Farm, Brooklyn, will lead a tour of their farm and a discussion of a SARE-supported study they are doing with alternative ways of pruning blueberries. Phone: 359 5513.

July 7, Broiler and Other Pastured Livestock: Sally Merrill of Sunrise Acres, Cumberland, will explain many of the aspects of raising pastured meat. Her farm produces organic broilers and eggs and coventional beef and lamb. Phone: 829 5594.

July 16, Drip Irrigation: Mark Hutchinson from the University of Maine, Cooperative Extension will present information to set up a drip irrigation system. Sarah Bullett will lead a tour of the gardens at the Common Ground Education Center, Unity. Phone: 568-3357.

July 22, Using Cover Crops: Frank Gross of Four Winds Farm, Lisbon, will lead a tour of his farm on which he uses cover crops in fields and beds. Phone: 353-6891.

July 23, Using Parasitic Wasps for Fly Control: Cathy Murray, Maine state entomologist, will explain the methods for using parasitic wasps to control flies at Doug and Linda Hartkopf’s Hart to Hart Farm, Albion. Phone: 437-2441. Does not include potluck supper.

Aug. 6, Compost Making: Lucian and Maggie Smith will lead a tour of Beech Hill Farm, Mt. Desert, and a discussion of making compost. They receive leaves from the community and make their compost using a manure spreader to mix the piles. Phone: 244-5204.

Aug. 11, Insect Pests of Vegetables: Dennis and Joe Fisher of Fisher Farm, Winterport, will lead a tour of their farm and discuss common insect pests and organic management. Phone 223-2293.

Aug. 19, Seasson Extension: Amy LeBlanc of Whitehill Farm, East Wilton, will tell how she makes the most of Maine’s short season with warm weather crops like tomatoes. Phone: 778-2685.

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host the following twilight meetings. Call 1-800-287-1426 for information.

June 26, Annual Grazing, Diversified Animals and Pasture Management: 1 to 3 p.m. June 26, Lee Straw, Straw’s Farm, Newcastle.

July 10, Buffer Strips, Cattle Crossings and Water Systems: 1 to 3 p.m., John O’Donnell, O’Donnell’ Farm, Monmouth.

September, Research Update: Highmoor Farm, Monmouth, date to be announced.

For more information about MOFGA, call 568-4142, or visit www.mofga.org.

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