A Network for Trees and their Friends

Jack Kertesz

The Scion Exchange

Begun by the MTCA in 1983, the Scion Exchange has been the source of grafting wood for hundreds of folks from all over Maine and beyond, preserving old time varieties by dispersing free scionwood to anyone who will graft a tree. In 1999 the Scion Exchange was combined with the Maine Seed Saving Network's Seed Swap and moved from Unity College to MOFGA's Exhibition Hall at the Common Ground Fair site in Unity.

The 9th Annual Seed Swap
&
25th annual Scion Exchange
will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2008
at the MOFGA Exhibition Hall in Unity.

Doors open 9:00 AM

9:30-noon "The Great Carrot Cook-off" Cooking in the Kitchen with Cheryl Wixson

10:00 - 11:15 "Simple recipes for starting soft-wood cuttings" John Meader

10:00 - 11:15 "Low-cost ways to grow heat-loving plants in Maine" Adam Tomash

11:30 - 12:45 "Saving seeds on small Farms" Nicholas Lindholm

11:30 - 12:45 "Grafting Fruit Trees" Mark Fulford

1:00 - 2:15 "Follow-up to the SARE breeding projects" CR Lawn

1:00- 2:15 "Edible Landscaping and Permaculture" Jack Kertesz and Tom Vigue

2:30 - 3:45 "Seed saving for cross-pollinators and biennials" Will Bonsall

2:30 - 3:45 "Discover little-known heritage wheats; from wild wheat and the old wheats of Europe to the delicious varieties grown in 1800s Maine." Eli Rogosa

Doors close at 4:00

For gardeners and orchardists it's a little like having Christmas in March. On Saturday, March 29th, the Maine Tree Crop Alliance, the Maine Seed Saving Network, Fedco and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) will host the annual combined Seed Swap and Scionwood Exchange. The event will take place in the Exhibition Hall at MOFGA's Common Ground Education Center in Unity. The event is free and open to the public.

There will be the usual selection of interesting educational workshops for seed savers and fruit enthusiasts, including seed saving and fruit tree grafting. Please bring any seeds, scionwood, or cuttings you have to share freely with others. These contributions are what make the day a success. We'll supply the labels and tape and markers. On sale will be T-shirts, books, grafting supplies, rootstocks and even some rare seeds. There is no admission fee though donations are welcome. For more information, call or email the MOFGA office. Phone: 207-568-4142. Email: mofga@mofga.org.

MOFGA's past Board President John Bunker says, "It's is like the best yard sale ever!"

There is no admission charge, although donations are always welcome.