Deadline extended

LEWISTON – Laura Rand, executive director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Androscoggin County, announces that FSA is extending the deadline to nominate eligible candidates to serve on the county committee to Aug. 15. The nomination deadline was scheduled for Aug. 1.

“Our goal is to have as many eligible candidates nominated to serve on county committees as possible, especially minority and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers,” said Rand.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others. Nominations and elections are open to all eligible candidates and voters. The form is available at Androscoggin County Service Center and online at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/publications/elections.

Producers can request, fill out and submit nomination forms up to Aug. 15. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters by Nov. 4. The deadline to return ballots is Dec. 5. Elected committee members and alternates take office on Jan. 1.

Family picnic

LIBERTY – The 10th annual (and possibly the last) Linscott family picnic will be held Sunday, Aug. 14, at Lake St. George State Park, Route 3.

It is a bring-your-own picnic lunch affair. The park opens at 9 a.m. (there is an admission charge), and the picnic will start whenever the first guest arrives. There will be Linscott memorabilia, photo albums, newsletter and several Linscott family history manuscripts on hand.

All Linscotts and all Linscott descendants are invited. Contact Jeff Linscott at 445-3970 or [email protected] for more information or with any questions.

Fair books are out

UNITY – The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association provides informational brochures and fair books for people interested in attending the Common Ground Country Fair at the Common Ground Education Center Sept. 23, 24 and 25.

The brochure explains the goals and philosophies of the association and the fair, describes what fairgoers can see, do and purchase at the fair and provides information about getting to the fair and making the best of a visit.

The more detailed fair book comes inside the association’s quarterly newspaper, the Maine Organic Farmer and Gardener.

The brochure is available free from the fair office. People interested in receiving a free copy of the fair book, which will be mailed out on Sept. 1, must contact the office by Aug. 15. After that, books will be available to the public for $3 plus $1.50 postage and handling.

Contact Common Ground Country Fair, PO Box 170, Unity, ME 04988; call 568-4142; or e-mail [email protected]. The fair book will be posted on www.mofga.org in mid-August.