FARMINGTON — The 3rd Annual Fiddlehead Festival, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 will be a “celebration of local farmers and their contribution to the community,” according to organizer Grace Eason.

Eason, a UMF professor of environmental and science education, was concerned a few years ago about climate change, corporate ownership of food and regulations small farmers face. She took her concerns to Valerie Huebner, then UMF Sustainability coordinator, and Drew Barton, UMF professor of biology, intent on doing something to highlight how valuable local farmers are to the community.

That desire led to the Maine Fiddlehead Festival in May 2012.

Last year, the name was changed to the 2nd Annual Maine Fiddlehead: Local Food Day. An antique  tractor parade, local food producers and lots of music were added. The festival garnered attention from USA Today and Taste of Home.

At least 18 people have been involved with the planning for this year’s festival. Several met this week to give updates on accomplishments so far and talk about changes that will be seen this year.

Barton noted that the festival will be focused around a farmers’ market that will be set up in the Henderson Memorial Baptist Church parking lot and the Emery Arts Center courtyard off of Academy Street. Some 17 farmers and 10 non-farmers will have booths set up. Vegetables and local foods will be available and Farmington-based musicians will be performing throughout the day.

Local musicians, Turner Templeton, Lauren Crosby & friends, Peter & Doug, Jonboy, and, of course, the Franklin County Fiddlers, have all agreed to participate. A 15-minute break between sets will provide time to set up and take down.

Organizers decided not to have a keynote speaker this year. Instead, there will be a number of short, practical sessions that attendees could learn from. Barton pointed out that these “tent talks will be presented by local people and farmers and will last less than half an hour each.”

Topics already set up include raising a dairy goat; the no-knead bread method; wild mushrooms of Franklin County; stress-free pressure canning; building a rocket stove; making your own wine; and simple hoop house construction. 

Sarah Marble of Marble Family Farms noted that instead of an antique tractor parade, it was decided to have a few antique tractors on display all day so that children and others could get a closer look at them.

Barton also indicated that organizers have “spread themselves out through town to see if businesses would like to participate.” It is often difficult for an established business person to take time away from that business to have a display at the festival. It was suggested that businesses not in the downtown area, such as Mixed Up, Up Front & Pleasant Gourmet, and Robin’s Flower Pot, instead offer special deals or savings to encourage people to visit them that day.

Marble noted that the local farmers’ market, scheduled to open that weekend, will be taking part in the festival. “All of the regular vendors will be there,” she stressed and not at the Courthouse parking lot.

The highly popular kids program will be part of the festival again this year. Liz Quigley is in charge and has lots of hands on activities planned.

Extension Educator Dave Fuller will again be offering a “foraging for fiddleheads talk and walk.” He will also discuss the biology of fiddlehead ferns and food safety.

Luke Kellett, UMF Sustainability Campus Coalition Coordinator, stressed that the event will concentrate on local food and other vendors and that it will be a bit more “informal and fun.” The mission this year is to promote local farming and local foods while expanding connections between UMF and the community. For more information, visit the festival’s website, www.mainefiddleheadfestival.com, or call Kellett at 778-7096.