Today in the orchard
Today was the first day of MOFGA’s annual Common Ground Country Fair (aka THE Fair). It’s three days of agricultural displays, workshops, talks, demonstrations, speakers, crafts, organic food and, of course, apples. A bunch of us gather at the “Hayloft Tent” where we display a couple hundred apples and pears grown in Maine and talk to fairgoers about their apples. We attempt to identify their mysteries and geek out over the amazing diversity of fruit growing throughout the state. This year, we also sold fruit grown in the Maine Heritage Orchard. That was a first and a big hit.
Among the highlights of the Fair (at least for apple lovers) are the apple tastings on Friday and Saturday afternoon. We cut up twelve varieties and pass them out to the crowd. Then everyone votes for their favorites. Although it’s entirely dependent on what’s ripe at the moment, it does give everyone a glimpse into some of the best dessert apples growing in Maine. It’s also a wild and fun event. Today we had a tie for first place: Canadian Strawberry and Garden Royal. In second was the modern European cultivar, Ingrid Marie. Rounding it off in third was St. Edmond’s Russet.