Join the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) for Great Maine Apple Day, a celebration of the history, flavor and tradition of Maine apples. This beloved annual event celebrates the fall harvest with opportunities to connect with fruit enthusiasts, learn about apples and, of course, feast on an array of heritage apples. This event will take place on Sunday, October 15, from noon to 4 p.m., at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine. Admission is by optional donation at the door, and all ages are welcome.
“We hope you can join us for this beautiful event celebrating apples and fall harvests! It’s a perfect opportunity to enjoy an autumn day with your family and friends, and learn more about apples, an iconic part of the season here in Maine,” says Anna Libby, MOFGA’s community education director.
There are a variety of activities to enjoy including the following:
- An apple tasting including rare and historic varieties. Find a new favorite variety.
- Apple and pear identification experts will be on hand to help identify mystery apples. Participants can bring a sample or two of apple (or pear!), along with any information (e.g., location, history, if it is grafted or not), and MOFGA’s team will help solve the mystery.
- Pressing apples for cider and enjoying a nice fresh cup of it to drink.
- Informational tables and displays all about apples and other fall fruits — such as information about grafting, apple shapes, hardy kiwis, pears, fruit exploring and much more.
- A beautiful apple display featuring approximately 200 varieties of apples to help showcase the diversity of this amazing fruit.
- Opportunities for the young (or young at heart) to create art using apples as stamps as well as other children’s activities.
- Enjoy an autumn stroll through MOFGA’s demonstration gardens and orchards, including MOFGA’s Maine Heritage Orchard, a 10-acre preservation and educational orchard featuring over 360 heirloom varieties.
We are also happy to host a cider tasting at the event this year! From 3 to 4 p.m., guests aged 21+ (space permitting) can enjoy hard ciders donated by local cideries such as Rocky Ground Cider and Absolem Cider, with a tasting guided by Sean Turley.
There will also be wonderful vendors. Participants can enjoy afternoon snacks or bring home some fresh, organic apples and other produce. Participants can also enjoy delicious baked goods from B&T Bakery, fresh apples from 5 Star Orchard, cider from Pressed for Cider, apples and other produce from North Branch Farm, delicious cheese from Balfour Farm; and view tools and other autumn essentials from Fedco.
To round out the afternoon, there will be opportunities to learn from various talks and demonstrations including a demonstration on preserving fall fruit with Jenn Legnini of Turtle Rock Farm in Union, Maine; tours of the demonstration orchards at MOFGA’s Common Ground Education Center; a talk with Glen Koehler, from the Pest Management Unit at University of Maine Cooperative Extension, who will share observations on ripening dates and other observations from the season; and a talk from Edgar Evenkeel titled, “Pomology Pathology.”
For more information about MOFGA’s Great Maine Apple Day visit mofga.org/event-calendar.
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), formed in 1971, is the oldest and largest state organic organization in the country and is creating a food system that is healthy and fair for all of us. Through education, training and advocacy, MOFGA is helping farmers thrive, making more local, organic food available and building sustainable communities. Learn more at mofga.org.
