Special Events 2026
Panel discussion on Sustainable Farming in Maine
Thursday, May 21, 4:30pm - 6pm
Open to the public
Location: Maine Art Gallery
Representatives from three Maine organizations and businesses that have been leaders in sustainable farming and the thriving farm-to-table movement will speak on a panel about their respective history, mission, and successes. Join us for this food-for-thought event!
Anna Fiedler of Maine Farmland Trust, an organization that has helped save thousands of acres of farmland over decades, will highlight the important role farms play in our communities. She will talk specifically about the successful efforts that ensured The Morris Farm (now The Commons at Morris Farm) in Wiscasset remained a farm. Fiedler will also introduce Ryan Esberg, one of the new owners, who will share his family’s vision for the farm’s future.
Erica Berman, co-founder of Veggies to Table, a farm in Newcastle, Maine, that donates its organic produce and flowers to locals in need, will join the panel. Berman will discuss her farm’s mission, its founding, and its success over the last seven seasons in donating 95,050 pounds of food and 153,700 flowers to over 35 local organizations and families.
Morning Glory Natural Foods, located on Maine Street in downtown Brunswick, is a family-owned, independent natural food store specializing in local and organically grown foods. As pioneers of the organic food movement in Maine, Morning Glory has been in business for 40 years and provides a market for many local vegetable farmers, dairies, organic meat farms, and bakeries. Owner Toby Tarpinian, the son of the former owners, grew up in the store, and will talk about the business and its fascinating history.
A reception will follow with goodies provided by Morning Glory Natural Foods.
Celebrating the sale and easement closing at Morris Farm (L to R): Brett Sykes, Co-Director of Farmland Protection at Maine Farmland Trust; Lindsay and Ryan Esbjerg and family; Terry and Chris Baldwin; Robin Hackett, Farmland Steward at Maine Farmland Trust.
Erica Berman, co-founder of Veggies to Table. Photo courtesy of Veggies to Table website.
Morning Glory Natural Foods on Maine St., in Brunswick, ME.
Thank you Back River Bistro for sponsoring this event.
Gyotkau - Demonstration of Fish Printing from Asia
Gyotaku comes from Japanese, “gyo” meaning "fish" + “taku” meaning "rubbing” or “impression.” Gyotaku is a traditional Japanese form of printmaking dating from the mid-1800s. Sumi and/or printers’ inks are applied to a fish, after which a piece of rice paper is pressed onto the fish, and then pulled to give an exact impression. Historically, fishermen used gyotaku to record their catches, and gyotaku prints can still be seen hanging in tackle shops in Japan. It is rumored that samurai would settle fishing competitions using Gyotaku prints.
Currently Gyotaku has evolved into an art form, with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art featuring these hand-pulled prints. The Smithsonian magazine in 2020 wrote traditional Japanese fish-prints collected from the Edo period could become a boon for conservation. The prints corroborate the abundance of the region’s dwindling species. Demo coincides with with the exhibition, Art to Table: Visual Sustenance, on display at the gallery. Refreshments will be served.
Images provided by Jean Kigel
Thursday, July 9, 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Open to public
Instructor: Jean Kigel
Location: Maine Art Gallery
Thank you First National Bank, a genuine Maine community bank deeply committed to serving our entire 18-branch region, we go all out to meet your needs.