Great Maine Apple Day to be held in Unity Oct. 16

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s Great Maine Apple Day — a celebration of the history, flavor and tradition of Maine apples — is set for noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16.

The event will be held at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center, 294 Crosby Brook Road in Unity. Admission is free, with donations to MOFGA accepted.

Featured presentations include:
• “A Panel on Pears” with Molly DellaRoman and Tim Skillin from 5 Star Orchard, Seth Yentes of North Branch Farm and Dan Newman, who researches historical pear varieties.
• “Easy Cider With Angus,” a chance to learn how to make hard cider from Angus Deighan, who runs Rocky Ground Cider in Newburgh.
• An apple growing Q&A with Glen Koehler, from the Pest Management Unit at University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Koehler will share some observations on dates, weather, disease and insect pests from the 2022 orcharding season.
• A demonstration on preserving fall fruit with Jenn Legnini of Turtle Rock Farm in Union.
• A tour of the Maine Heritage Orchard, a 10-acre preservation and educational orchard located a quarter mile down the road from MOFGA’s education center.

Participants can have their mystery apples identified. “Bring your cutest apples and the ones that are so ugly they’re cute,” says Laura Sieger, MOFGA’s orchard manager, in a news release from Hillary Barter, educational programs coordinator.

Attendees can also see, and bring home to sample, rare and heirloom apples grown at MOFGA and on other Maine farms.

Local producers will have apples, cider, cheese and baked treats for sale, along with fruit tree seedlings and fall produce. Chestnuts grown on MOFGA’s grounds will be roasted for participants to taste.

Participants can also try pressing apples for cider with a crew of experienced volunteers or screen print their own bandana with a Maine Heritage Orchard design. There will also be apple and art activities for children.

To learn more about Great Maine Apple Day, visit mofga.org.

This event is sponsored by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and Fedco Trees.