RUMFORD – The second in a series of meetings aimed at revitalizing the Oxford County agricultural community takes place Tuesday night at the Blazing Star Lodge in Rumford Corner.

Organized by the Oxford County Ag Group and facilitated by Threshold for Maine, the goal is to identify challenges to successful farming and find new markets for locally grown food.

Laura Ackley, co-owner of Fare Share Farm in Canton and one of the group’s leading voices, said the first meeting, held in Paris earlier in the month, brought out more than 50 farmers, produce retailers and consumers.

“We want to learn what would make consumers buy more local produce and encourage farmers to grow more food,” she said Wednesday.

Anyone interested in growing, selling or consuming local food is invited to the forum.

The ag group, which was formed in June, consists of farmers, business partners, chambers of commerce, county extensions and community coalitions. The eventual goal, besides finding markets, is to hold an annual agricultural expo, end the exodus of agricultural businesses, and get commitments from farmers to meet specific agricultural needs.

The group is also compiling a directory of growers.

“We’re trying to find everyone,” Ackley said.

Tuesday’s meeting will include a brainstorming session, a light supper of soup, bread and dessert all produced locally, and Coastal Enterprise Institute speaker Amy Winston, who will discuss agricultural economic issues.

A third meeting is scheduled for March 12 in Fryeburg, and a fourth will likely be held in Norway.