Host: Sarah Alexander Common Ground Radio is an hour-long discussion of local food and organic agriculture with people here in the state of Maine and beyond. This month: This year marks the 50th annual Common Ground Country Fair. Each fall since 1977, people from all across Maine and the Northeast have come together to celebrate the harvest, learn from each other, and build community. On the September episode of Common Ground Radio, we’re exploring how the Common Ground Country Fair began, what the early years were like, and the impact the fair has had. This conversation with one of the fair’s founders and MOFGA’s first executive director, Chaitanya York, and the current Fair director, April Boucher, also offers a preview of the special 50th anniversary celebrations that are happening at this year’s Common Ground Country Fair. Guest/s: Chaitanya York, Common Ground Country Fair founder and MOFGA’s first executive director. April Boucher, Common Ground Country Fair director. FMI- www.mofga.org/about-the-fair/ www.mofga.org/our-community/publications/the-maine-organic-farmer-gardener/ www.mofga.org/fairbook/ About the hosts: Sarah Alexander is the executive director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), where she advocates for organic agriculture, a healthy environment, local food production, and thriving communities. Sarah has worked on issues related to food sovereignty, clean energy, public water systems, genetic engineering, and local food security. Her background is in community organizing, strategic campaigning, and legislative campaigns, having previously worked with Food & Water Watch, Green Corps, the White Earth Land Recovery Project, Shepherd’s Corner Farm, and the American Community Gardening Association. Holli Cederholm has been involved in organic agriculture since 2005 when she first apprenticed on a small farm. She has since worked on organic farms in Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Scotland, and Italy, and founded her own small farm focused on celebrating open-pollinated and heirloom vegetables. Previously, she managed a national nonprofit dedicated to organic seed growers; hosted “The Farm Report” on Heritage Radio Network; and contributed to The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener, which she now edits in her role as content creator and editor at MOFGA. Seth Kroeck is an organic grower at Crystal Spring Farm in Brunswick, Maine. Seth is an active member of the Organic Farmers Association, Real Organic Project, and the Maine Grain Alliance, and is committed to supporting and building regional food systems. He serves on the board of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). Ivonne Vazquez is passionate about native plants, pollinators, DIY, sustainability, the environment, and sharing gardening knowledge. She is a Licensed Registered Maine Guide/Recreation, Basic Gardening Instructor at Bangor (Maine) Adult Ed, and native plant nursery grower/owner at Bas Rouge Farm & Forge in Orono, Maine. Ivonne sits on the boards of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), the Maine School Garden Network, and Fedco Seeds.
