WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives

Issue: Seeds
Program Name: Common Ground Radio Hour
Broadcast Date: January 6, 2012
Broadcast Time: 10 am
Program Topic: Seeds
Key Discussion Points (list at least 3):
a) Seed varieties for 2012
b) Ideas for how to extend growing season
c) Plants that serve as hosts for pollinators
Guests by name and affiliation:
A) Roberta Bailey, FEDCO Seeds
B) Heron Breen, FEDCO Seeds
C ) Paul Gallione, Johnny’s Selected Seeds
Call In Program: YES
Political Broadcast: NO
Host: Melissa White Pillsbury & Russell Libby, MOFGA
Engineer: Amy Browne

Standard Podcast [ 58:55 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Issue: Livestock processing in Maine
Broadcast Time: 10 am

Program Topic: Livestock processing
Key Discussion Points (list at least 3):
a) Opportunities to grow livestock markets in Maine
b) Need for improved access to slaughterhouses
c) Consumers are making a difference through their purchasing decisions

Calls: Access to markets. Issues around distance to slaughterhouses. On-farm slaughter question.

Guests by name and affiliation:
A) Tom Gilbert, Herring Brothers, Guilford
B) Ben Slayton, Farmer’s Gate Market, Leeds

Call In Program: Yes

Host: Melissa White Pillsbury & Russell Libby
Engineer: Amy Browne

Standard Podcast [ 57:29 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Issue: Farm and Food Policy
Program Name: Common Ground
Broadcast Date: 11.4.11
Broadcast Time: 10-11 am
Program Topic: Farm & Food Policy
Key Discussion Points:
a) Local Foods Act, HR 3286
b) Farm insurance
c) Building local markets for food
Guests by name and affiliation:
A) Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
B) Brian Snyder, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture
C ) Katie Green, Cheryl Wixson, Russell Libby
Call In Program: Yes
Political Broadcast: No
Host: Russell Libby
Engineer: Amy Browne

Standard Podcast [ 58:17 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Producers/Hosts: Cheryl Wixson, Jim Ahearn, MOFGA
Studion Engineer: Joel Mann
Topic: Common Ground Country Fair
Dates/purpose of fair. How is it orgainized? Needs, conversation, purpose
Guests: Cynthia Thayer, Darthia Farm; Mathew Strong
Call in show

Standard Podcast [ 58:33 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Producers/Hosts: Russell Libby and Cheryl Wixson, MOFGA
Topic: 40 Years of MOFGA
IAH–housing/new farmer, fishermen? Hancock– How do we balance local/organic with trade Port Clyde– How we connect with fishermen
Guest: Ron Poitras, Small Potatoes Farm, Surry
Call-in show

Standard Podcast [ 58:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Producers/Hosts: Melissa Pillsbury White, MOFGA
Studio Engineer: Amy Browne
Topic: Maine Food Independence Day
How are we getting more Maine food on Maine plates? What projects/models are working to reach new people with local foods? How do we achieve food independence in Maine?
Guests: Sara Trunzo, Unity College; Laura Binger, Food AND Medicine
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Standard Podcast [ 58:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Producers/Hosts: Cheryl Wixson, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association

Topic: Public Policy

How does the public (consumer) participate in the process? What can citizens do to protect themselves from toxics? What is the civics process of bills in the legislature?

Guests:
Andy O’Brien, State Representative, District 44; Jim Gerritson, Wood Prairie Farm, Bridgewater; Heather Spaulding, Associate Director, MOFGA

Call in show

Standard Podcast [ 58:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Producers/Hosts: Cheryl Wixson & Russell Libby, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association staff

Topic: Organic. What is the meaning of organic? What is organic certification? Why is it important?

Guests: Mary Yurlina, Director of MOFGA Organic Certification ; Nicolas Lindhom, Hackmatack Farm & Blueberry Hill Berry Company

Call in show

Standard Podcast [ 59:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download