UNITY, Maine — The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) will have a new leader next month when Sarah Alexander assumes the role of executive director. MOFGA began a search and hiring process late last year when current executive director Ted Quaday announced plans to retire. Quaday will pass the reins to Alexander onĀ August 13.
Alexander, who lives and works in Portland, has over 15 years ofĀ experience advocating for sustainable, local and fair food systems.Ā A native of Ohio, she attended Northwestern University, then moved to the White Earth Indian Reservation in northern Minnesota, where she spent 3 years helping to restore traditional food systems and stopping the genetic engineering of wild rice.Ā Next she headed to Columbus, Ohio to work as a farm apprentice at Shepherd’s Corner Farm and helped to grow the urban agriculture program at the American Community Garden Association. From there she went to Washington, DC and spent nearly ten years at Food & Water Watch where she worked to protect organic standards, strengthen consumer labeling, and fight for genetically engineered food labeling. She moved to Maine in 2015 and has been working as a senior strategist coaching progressive nonprofits.
“MOFGA’s board of directors is enthusiastic and unanimously supports Sarah as the next executive director,” said board president David Shipman. “She brings long experience as a grassroots organizer, defending people’s access to healthy food and clean water, and working with Native American and underserved communities. Sarah’s mix of strengths in organizational leadership, administration, development and communications will be a great match for our vibrant community.”
MOFGA, formed in 1971, is the oldest and largest state-based organic advocacy organization in the country. The organization is a broad-based community that educates about and advocates for organic agriculture, illuminating its interdependence with a healthy environment, local food production, and thriving communities. While MOFGA has headquarters at the Common Ground Education Center in the towns of Unity and Thorndike, staff members work with farmers, gardeners and many other stakeholders statewide.
“I’m very excited to bring my experience in the food movement to work with the strong food and farming community in Maine,” said Alexander. “The roots of the national organic food movement are here, and together we will build the future of the organic food movement in Maine and beyond.”
MOFGA envisions a future of healthy ecosystems, communities, people and economies sustained by the practices of organic agriculture. The organization draws its strength and vibrancy from a diverse group of supporters, united in their enthusiasm about fresh, organic, local food, healthy communities and environmental stewardship. The organization depends on the commitment of roughly 11,000 members and more than 2,000 volunteers who carry substantive responsibilities to ensure smooth program functioning.
“One of the things I love about MOFGA,” said Alexander, “is that we’re doing the important work of connecting people to our food, to where we live and to each other. By choosing food that’s grown in ways that replenish the soil and our own health, we also build a strong local economy.”
“MOFGA is a dedicated and diverse community engaged in the great work of building a more healthful and economically viable farm and food system, and Sarah Alexander is the ideal person to carry that effort forward. I expect her to achieve resounding success,” said Quaday.
MOFGA has experienced significant growth during Quaday’s five years as executive director. The number of certified organic farms has seen a 60 percent increase, and the organization’s endowment has grown from $625,000 to $5 million. Program capacity has also increased with added staff. Quaday led a comprehensive strategic planning process that identified a commitment to expanding program activities and administrative capacity, and prepared for a multi-year capital campaign to sustain long-term program growth.
“MOFGA’s financial health and organizational capacity have improved significantly in recent years. I’m confident that Sarah will continue to strengthen our programs and inspire people throughout Maine to engage in our community,” said Quaday.
A dedicated team of more than 40 staff and 20 board members, along with an enormous group of volunteers, carry out the organization’s work through several programs:
- Education – including new farmer training, conferences and workshops, farm and garden tours, low-impact forestry events, scholarships and more
- Agricultural services – with specialists in organic crops, livestock, business and marketing
- The Common Ground Country Fair – an annual celebration of rural living, held the third weekend after Labor DayĀ – this year onĀ September 21-23
- Organic certification – through MOFGA Certification Services LLCĀ – a USDA-accredited organic certifier in Maine
- Public Policy – advocacy at the local, state and federal level by a Public Policy Committee and a MOFGA-El Salvador Sistering Committee
- Publications – including the quarterly newspaper,Ā The Maine Organic Farmer & Gardener; a weekly email newsletter,Ā The MOFGA Bulletin Board; fact sheets; reports and more
- Internet presence –Ā www.mofga.org, and a community website,Ā www.mofga.net
“I’m looking forward to working alongside MOFGA’s staff, board and many volunteers to provide organic farmers, transitioning farmers, and anyone interested in organic and sustainable living with the support they need to be successful,”Ā said Alexander.
Sarah will have no shortage of opportunity to work alongside and lead the MOFGA community, especially during the busy weeks before the Common Ground Country Fair. Community members will have ample opportunity to meet Sarah at the Fair. MOFGA also intends to have membership gatherings around the state so that members can get to know the new executive director and discuss plans for the future.
–Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association
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