The public is invited the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Cumberland County Extension Association to be held on Wednesday, Sept. 19, starting at 6 p.m. at the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive, Windham. The theme for this year’s meeting is “Engaging the Community in Farm Viability.”

Penny Jordan, of Wm H. Jordan’s Farm in Cape Elizabeth, will give the keynote address. Jordan has been active statewide in the farm-to-table movement. She was an active part of establishing the Cape Farm Alliance in Cape Elizabeth, which seeks to ensure that farming will be part of future of the town by engaging the community and creating visibility for agriculture in the town.

Michial Russell, of Pearson’s Town Farm at St. Joseph’s College in Standish, will also speak. He supplies the college with fresh produce, operates a CSA, donates summer harvests to the local food pantry and integrates the farm into academic and service learning programming at the college.

Especially important in Maine with a very short growing season, is “Preserving the Harvest,” so Extension Educator Kathy Savoie will follow with a short overview of food preservation programming.

UMaine Extension Master Gardener, Master Food Preserver, 4-H and Eat Well volunteers will be recognized at the event. This year’s Friend of Extension honoree is Master Gardener Volunteer Elissa Gifford. While Gifford has been a tireless champion for all of UMaine Extension’s programs, she has been especially dedicated to the home horticulture programs.

Prior to the meeting a light supper of either lamb stew or vegetable soup will be served. Again this year, there will be a unique dessert – the results of the Pie Bake-Off (complete with cash prizes). Do you have a favorite pie recipe? Enter the bake-off and share your scrumptious dessert. All recipes will become part of the UMaine Extension Cookbook.

To RSVP, register your pie bake-off entry by Sept. 18 or for more information contact 781-6099 or 1-800-287-1471 or email extension.cumberland@maine.edu.