PARIS – The Oxford County Ag Group will sponsor three public meetings for consumers, service providers, farmers or anyone interested in the future of agriculture in Oxford County. The first meeting in the series will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, at the Western Maine Community College.

The meetings will include gathering and sharing information that will help identify needs and gain ideas for the countrywide Agricultural Expo while providing information to participants.

Sessions will focus on the future of agriculture, food security, effectiveness of assistance and technical assistance to farmers and consumers. The program will feature a keynote speaker who is involved with the issues.

The group discussions will be focused around two questions: What would encourage you to buy more local product and what would encourage you to sell more local product?

Future meeting dates include Feb. 27 at Blazing Star Lodge in Rumford Center and March 12 at Molly Ockett High School in Fryeburg, with a snowdate of March 27.

Connections Local Foods Project will solicit donations for a light dinner of seasonally available local foods that will be served at the meetings. Those who have items to donate should contact Lauri Ackley at 597-2746.

For more information about the meetings or to RSVP, contact Mark Hews at threshold@gwi.net or 657-3131.