UNITY – Thousands of people will be heading to Unity next week for the 29th annual Common Ground Country Fair, sponsored by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association.

Hundreds of vendors – offering produce, products and food produced in Maine – will offer everything from energy-saving devices to homemade soap. There also is a political action and social change tent, farming demonstrations and an American Indian center.

The annual fair takes place on MOFGA’s Common Ground education center in Unity on Sept. 23, 24, and 25.

More than 20,000 visitors a day attend the fair, which provides a peek at natural living, sustainable agriculture and organic farming.

MOFGA, formed in 1971, is the oldest and largest state organic organization in the country, and many of the fair’s visitors come to learn how to make connections among healthful food, environmentally sound farming practices, and vital local economies.

A different keynote speaker is scheduled at 11 a.m. each day of the fair.

On Friday, Sept. 23, Spencer Aitel, a MOFGA board member and certified organic dairy farmer, will deliver an address titled, “Let Them Eat Cake – Changes in Politics and Policy of Agriculture.”

On Saturday, Sept. 24, John Howe, author of “The End of Fossil Energy and a Plan for Sustainability,” will speak about reliance on fossil fuels.

On Sunday, Sept. 25, U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, recipient of the 2003 Gandhi Peace Award, will talk about creating sustainable communities.

Also during the fair, MOFGA will hold a public policy teach-in on Saturday, Sept. 24. The theme for this year’s event will be “Greening Maine Homes.”

The event will discuss the more than 80,000 synthetic chemicals in the air, water and soils, the building materials in houses and the products consumers use every day.

Volunteers get free admission to the fair each day that they work, a T-shirt, and a meal in the Common Kitchen for each four-hour volunteer shift.

Volunteer registration forms are available online at MOFGA’s Web site or by calling 568-4142.

MOFGA is also seeking organic produce and craft entries for the education center in the exhibition hall.

Fair-goers can compete in many different contests including: the great pumpkin; biggest squash; great

zucchini; biggest cabbage; big beet; giant cuke; the “whatever” contest for vegetable oddities; organic farm exhibits; MOFGA chapter exhibits; other fruits and vegetable exhibits; home-canned and dried foods; home-baked goods; dairy goods; apiary goods; poultry products; cut flowers, herbs and houseplants; and the best “volunteer from a

compost pile.”

Schoolchildren can enter the children’s apple pie contest, and all fair-goers can participate in the natural dessert competition. Some of the arts and crafts on display in the exhibition hall include: afghans; bedspreads; quilts; clothing; rugs; wall hangings; basketry; candles; pottery; photographs; paintings; woodcuts; and silk-screens.

Rules for entry are available on MOFGA’s Web site and by telephone.