Category: Common Ground Radio

Common Ground Radio 10/6/17

Producer/Host: C.J. Walke
Engineer: Amy Browne

History of Organic Farming in U.S.

-History of organic farming in U.S.
-Early days of organic certification and current federal regulations
-Contemporary challenges to the historic view of organic farming

Guests:
Jim Gerritsen, Wood Prairie Family Farm, Bridgewater, ME
Eric Sideman, Organic Crop Specialist, MOFGA, Unity, ME
Diane Schivera, Organic Livestock Specialist, MOFGA, Unity, ME

Common Ground Radio 6/2/17

Producer/Host: C.J. Walke
Engineer: Joel Mann

Homesteading in Maine

Key Discussion Points:
a) Descriptions of guests’ homesteads
b) Skill sharing and learning opportunities
c) Building community

Guests:
John Twomey, The Howard Place, Montville, ME
Elizabeth Siegel, Heritage Home Farm, Appleton, ME
Emily Lowell, Feather Foot Farm, Aurora, ME

Common Ground Radio 4/7/17

Producer/Host: C.J. Walke
Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Organic Food and Farming in Maine

Program Topic: Organic Maine Wild Blueberries
Key Discussion Points:
a) History of blueberry cultivation in Maine
b) Organic methods of blueberry production
c) Current research in blueberries

Guests:
Nicolas Lindholm, Blue Hill Berry Co., Penobscot, ME
Theresa Gaffney, Highland Organics, Stockton Springs, ME
Frank Drummond, University of Maine
David Yarborough, University of Maine

Common Ground Radio 3/3/17

Producer/Host: C.J. Walke
Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Organic Food and Farming in Maine

Program Topic: MOFGA – El Salvador Sistering Committee

Key Discussion Points:
a) History of committee and work over past 20+ years
b) Changes in agricultural activities over the years
c) Environmental and social impacts of sugar cane production

Guests:
Jean English, MOFGA
Karen Volckhausen, Happy Town Farm, Orland, ME
Paul Volckhausen, Happy Town Farm, Orland, ME
Willie Marquart, WERU

Common Ground Radio 2/3/17

Producer/Host: C.J. Walke
Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Organic Food and Farming in Maine

Program Topic: Legacy of Organic Agriculture

Key Discussion Points:
a) Keynote address from 2016 Farmer-to-Farmer Conference
b) Organic farming principles and values
c) Legacy of organic agriculture

Guest: Recording of keynote address by Vern Grubinger, University of Vermont

Common Ground Radio 1/6/17

Producer/Host: C.J. Walke
Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Organic Food and Farming in Maine

Program Topic: Maine Legal Food Hub

Key Discussion Points:
a) Formation of the Maine Legal Food Hub
b) Services available for farmers and food entrepreneurs
c) Process of eligibility and assistance

Guests:
Phelps Turner, Attorney, Coordinator, Maine Legal Food Hub (www.legalfoodhub.org)
Beth Boepple, Attorney, BCM Environmental & Land Law (www.nhlandlaw.com)

Common Ground Radio 12/2/16

Producer/Host: C.J. Walke
Engineer: Amy Browne

Issue: Organic Food and Farming in Maine
Program Topic: Farmland Access

Key Discussion Points:
a) Resources available for land tenure
b) Transitioning farmland
c) Agricultural easements

Guests:
Erica Buswell, Vice President of Programs, Maine Farmland Trust
Jo Barrett, Maine Field Agent, Land for Good
Richard Lee, Tender Soles Farm, Richmond, ME