Leading one of Maine’s most beloved events
April Boucher '06 has spent more than a decade at the helm of the iconic Common Ground Country Fair while building a career rooted in her values.
April Boucher '06 is a proud Waldo County resident. She spends her days working hard for the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, enjoying the outdoors with her dog, reading, and playing music.
By Sheila Grant | Midcoast Villager
Q: How did you become director of the Common Ground Country Fair?
A: I started at MOFGA as the educational programs assistant, working on year-round events, the farm apprenticeship program and the Common Ground Country Fair. As MOFGA evolved, I was focused on fair coordination.
In 2014 when MOFGA was hiring for the fair director position, I applied with over seven years of experience working on the fair and my previous experiences of coordinating logistics and research projects. I was interviewed by a panel of 11 people in a multi-phase process and was honored to accept the fair director position.
Q: What are your responsibilities as fair director?
A: I am responsible for fair coordination, supervising fair staff and the volunteer fair planning team, logistics, policies, guidelines, safety and emergency procedures, and budget.
Q: As you approach the fair’s 50th anniversary, what aspects are you most proud of or excited about?
A: MOFGA’s 50th annual Common Ground Country Fair is a testament to the strength of our community — the volunteers, exhibitors and fairgoers who make the event possible — as well as the continued need for a deepened connection around land stewardship and sustainable living. For the 50th, we are celebrating our past and rallying community members to continue to build common ground, support farmers, empower people to feed their communities and advocate for an organic future.