UNITY – Meeting the needs of Maine’s small farm sector is the goal behind a free one-day conference for small-farm owners and agriculture service providers to be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, March 21.

The conference will be at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Common Ground in Unity.

Producers who attend will learn to use available resources, including how to work with a variety of organizations and groups that provide assistance to small farmers. The conference will allow farmers to network with each other as well.

The forum is sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, MOFGA, the National Resource Conservation Service and the Maine Women’s Agriculture Network.

The conference is free and lunch is provided; however, pre-registration is mandatory. Please mail or fax registration by March 8 to 342-4229, or UMCE, 992 Waterville Road, Waldo 04915.For more information, contact the Waldo County Extension Office at (800) 287-1426.