UNITY — The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association plans to host Farm & Homestead Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 10, at 294 Crosby Brook Road.
This free, family friendly event returns after a three-year hiatus because of the pandemic and features a wide variety of hands-on activities.
Since 2012, Farm & Homestead Day has been organized by volunteers who delight in sharing their expertise. This interactive event gives participants hands-on opportunities to learn a variety of skills in rural and sustainable living. People can learn about building toad abodes, potting up plants, spinning fiber and using a scythe for mowing, according to a news release from the association.
Workshops include woodworking opportunities, fiber crafts and repair, and cooking demonstrations. Woodworking opportunities will include shaping wood with steam to make kitchen tools for mixing and scooping, which can be taken home and used right away. Using steam to bend wood is a valuable skill for building furniture, boats and more.
Workshops and demonstrations under the fiber umbrella include spinning with drop spindles and wheels, dyeing with locally grown and foraged plants, and weaving with a variety of looms. Crochet, knitting and rug hooking skills will also be shared.
Anyone can bring an ongoing project or join a class. Sewing techniques will include using a treadle sewing machine, mending arts, and how to make a deerskin pouch. Participants can practice valuable tips and tricks to use at home.
There will be cooking and preserving skills to learn as well. Participants can learn how to preserve their garden produce by fermentation, engage in cooking bean hole beans, and learn about capturing wild yeast for sourdough starter and home-baked breads.
Farm & Homestead Day will begin with traditional tea and crumpets, followed by a choice of workshops. Everyone can bring vegetables to contribute to the stone soup and a dish to share at the potluck lunch, which will have options for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores. These meals will fuel the day’s work and play. There will also be a variety of musical offerings.
People can make a day of it and stay for the Empty Bowl Supper to support the work of the MOFGA-El Salvador Sistering Committee. Guests can select their bowls, donated by Maine potters, starting at 4 p.m.
Beginning at 5 p.m., after brief comments welcoming supper guests and describing the sistering committee’s program, an organic meal of soup (with a choice of vegan, vegetarian or meat-based), bread (donated by Back 40 Bakehouse) and desserts will be served.
For more information, visit mofga.org.
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