NORWAY – The Oxford County Ag Group recently received a $3,800 grant from the Maine Community Foundation (MCF) through its Community Building Program to support a new exhibition at the Oxford County Fair.

Titled “Farm Life Center: Celebrating Oxford County Farmers,” the exhibition will reflect on all aspects of life on small, diversified farms and cover good farming practices, taste testing of local foods, fiber arts demonstrations, timber framing, and an oral history project. Fair dates are Sept. 12-15.

“The exhibition will focus attention on the tremendous interest in expanding the local foods network, supporting local producers, and strengthening the economic base of agriculture in the county,” said Ellen Gibson, project coordinator.

“This grant will allow us to bring our message to a larger audience.”

The Oxford County Fair has been a community tradition promoting agriculture and serving farmers in a social and educational capacity since 1842.

The Oxford County Ag Group is continuing the work begun by the Local Foods Group, which was started by farmers who wanted to raise awareness of what was being produced locally and to build markets with local stores, schools, and other institutions.

Members of this collaborative effort include: Cooperative Extension, Healthy Oxford Hills, Threshold to Maine, Women, Work and Community, Western Mountains Alliance, and local farmers. For more information, contact Gibson at 674-3887 or by email: [email protected].